Synonyms of metaphor

metaphor

noun

ˈme-tə-ˌfȯr 

as in analogy

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

• analogy
• figure of speech
• device
• conceit
• simile
• euphemism
• code word
• circumlocution
• dead metaphor
• catachresis
• mixed metaphor
• crank

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of metaphor

Godzilla has always been a metaphor for nuclear trauma, but for Yamazaki, that connection is explicit, especially in this second movie, which manages to be more effective than the first one in some ways and less in others. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Pick your sports metaphor for what happened at a Senate Judicial Committee hearing Tuesday. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

The lengthy opening sequence ends with the camera literally descending into one of the guy’s butts and then up into his bowels, which could be read as a metaphor for this entire project. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

Runway is a perfect metaphor for a kid who is about to take off. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Video

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes