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
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Recent Examples of metaphor
But in life James resisted metaphor and evaded attention.
—
Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
The chainsaw was an apparent metaphor for the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been downsizing the federal workforce in its attempt to cut government spending.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
This framework serves as a powerful metaphor for the compartmentalization often seen in some high-performing enterprises where operational efficiency is prized above the holistic well-being of employees.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
It’s driven by a bizarre lyrical metaphor that only Lady Gaga could come up with: what if the Old Testament God’s destruction of the Tower of Babel created modern celebrity gossip culture??
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphor
Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
The chainsaw was an apparent metaphor for the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been downsizing the federal workforce in its attempt to cut government spending.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
This framework serves as a powerful metaphor for the compartmentalization often seen in some high-performing enterprises where operational efficiency is prized above the holistic well-being of employees.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
It’s driven by a bizarre lyrical metaphor that only Lady Gaga could come up with: what if the Old Testament God’s destruction of the Tower of Babel created modern celebrity gossip culture??
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphor
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Metaphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphor. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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