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.
Related Words
Relevance
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 simile
This is what Thadeus loves: a test of his store of poetic similes, even if, these days, his poetry-writing is notional.
—
Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for simile
Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for simile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simile
metaphor
Noun
-
But waste should be surgically addressed, extending the metaphor, with a scalpel, not a chainsaw.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2025
-
Formation flying is really a terrestrial metaphor to cover a painfully complex exercise in celestial mechanics.—
David Szondy
June 28,
New Atlas,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Simile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simile. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share