as in metaphor
grammar
a phrase that uses the words like or as to describe someone or something by comparing it with someone or something else that is similar
"She's as fierce as a tiger" is a simile, but "She's a tiger when she's angry" is a metaphor.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of simile
The simile is novel and yet the sort of thing a young woman would think; there is assonance and consonance seesawing across the sentence, which is slow and gorgeous rather than quick and thrilling.
—
Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
These circumstances conducive to socialization are most obviously available for young people on athletic teams, but the sports simile is easily applicable to young people in marching band, theater productions, student council, volunteer and community settings and the robotics club.
—Jeff Nelligan, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024
Later, when asked about his evolution as a coach, Harbaugh described himself as open to change and used a mall-entrance simile to make his point.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
As the simile suggests, the pen could be used as a weapon, producing militant verses that would advance the nationalist cause.
—Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for simile
Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
These circumstances conducive to socialization are most obviously available for young people on athletic teams, but the sports simile is easily applicable to young people in marching band, theater productions, student council, volunteer and community settings and the robotics club.
—Jeff Nelligan, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024
Later, when asked about his evolution as a coach, Harbaugh described himself as open to change and used a mall-entrance simile to make his point.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
As the simile suggests, the pen could be used as a weapon, producing militant verses that would advance the nationalist cause.
—Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for simile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simile
metaphor
Noun
-
Without that essential kernel of referentiality, there can be no metaphor at all.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
-
As for Bayern, today’s result against RB Leipzig was a good metaphor for the Rekordmeister’s season.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Simile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simile. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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