metaphors

plural of metaphor
as in analogies
an elaborate or fanciful way of expressing something "it's raining cats and dogs" is just a colorful metaphor and not a meteorological announcement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of metaphors Dani provides the voiceover, filled with strained metaphors about earthquakes and sermons on the importance of summer, but the pretense that the dialogue is taken from his interrogation is quickly abandoned. Alison Herman, Variety, 19 June 2026 These metaphors aren’t just ours, either. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 June 2026 Both plays are loopy extended metaphors, turning a funhouse mirror on the mundanities of everyday existential struggle. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026 Pinney’s fantasies and visual metaphors are sometimes more poignant in concept than in execution, and a theme of Ray’s crude racist impulses is baldly inserted but left undeveloped. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 Multiple listens allow Nastasia’s metaphors and observations to float over the excellent musical arrangements. David Harris, SPIN, 11 June 2026 Animals serve as allies, guides, objects of cruelty and aggression, and as striking metaphors for power, imperialism, and insurrection. Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 Arnold uses different metaphors to describe his feelings about what lies between him and brother. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 The songs are representative of teams via lyrics, metaphors and just overall vibes. Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphors
Noun
  • These analogies can also apply to the teams involved.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • But upcoming listings from SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI are big enough and systemically important enough to the market that those analogies may not apply.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • But none of that has happened, and Hamas rejected a new disarmament proposal in March that would force it to give up its tunnel network as well as rockets, heavy munitions, explosive devices and assault rifles before any Israel withdrawal.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • This one from Amazon is only $36 and can keep your devices charged for up to one week on a single charge.
    Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • This might actually be the first Yoshi platformer to not fully embrace a unique arts-and-crafts aesthetic in quite some time, considering how much Yoshi's Crafted World and Yoshi's Woolly World leaned fully into their papercraft and yarn conceits, respectively.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026
  • Canet has to do some gymnastics to sell several of his conceits, and a few reveals land with the thud of too-easy convenience.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Metaphors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphors. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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