Synonyms for metaphor
ˈmɛt əˌfɔr, -fərmetaphor

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.4 / 16 votes

1. metaphor

   In modern usage we may say that an allegory is an extended simile, while a metaphor is an abbreviated simile contained often in a phrase, perhaps in a word. The simile carries its comparison on the surface, in the words as, like, or similar expressions; the metaphor is given directly without any note of comparison. The allegory, parable, or fable tells its story as if true, leaving the reader or hearer to discover its fictitious character and learn its lesson. All these are, in strict definition, fictions; but the word fiction is now applied almost exclusively to novels or romances. An allegory is a moral or religious tale, of which the moral lesson is the substance, and all descriptions and incidents but accessories, as in "The Pilgrim's Progress." A fable is generally briefer, representing animals as the speakers and actors, and commonly conveying some lesson of practical wisdom or shrewdness, as "The Fables of Æsop." A parable is exclusively moral or religious, briefer and less adorned than an allegory, with its lesson more immediately discernible, given, as it were, at a stroke. Any comparison, analogy, instance, example, tale, anecdote, or the like which serves to let in light upon a subject may be called an illustration, this word in its widest use including all the rest. Compare FICTION; STORY.

   Synonyms:
   allegory, fable, fiction, illustration, parable, simile

   Antonyms:
   chronicle, fact, history, narrative, record

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.2 / 5 votes

1. metaphor

   Synonyms:
   similitude, image

   Antonyms:
   letter, literalness

Princeton's WordNet

1. metaphornoun

   a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

Matched Categories

1. • Trope

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. metaphornoun

   Synonyms:
   similitude (without the signs of comparison), simile (expressed in a word)

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. metaphornoun

   Synonyms:
   simile

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "metaphor":

   analogy

How to pronounce metaphor?

How to say metaphor in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use metaphor in a sentence?

1. David Akin:

   It's New Orleans. You know the saying here: 'Making groceries.' People are making lots and lots of groceries, and that's a metaphor for everything. the bill that just passed is not as bad as we thought.

2. Troy Sanders:

   We cloak it in metaphor -- instead of painting a very literal picture of the person sick in bed we have broader brush strokes and try to create some kind of fantastical environment that mimics that particular situation and within that fantastical environment you can change the circumstance and make them something more triumphant. if you are good friends someone, and you are with one another and have a very strong relationship I think it’s a wonderful and healthy thing to do to be supportive and be physically present and again turning all these emotions into something productive. Turning this darkness into something bright and positive or at least attempting to.

3. Bruno Dumont:

   The carnival is a real tradition in the North. What you have to do is look under these characters who are larger than life, cinema is a metaphor. So what is local becomes a metaphor. So I don't see a problem in making a very French film that at the same time, because it is very French, will become an international film.

4. Haimer abdou:

   The homeland is a language and exile is a metaphor

5. Edward Shumaker:

   It's certainly not impossible but -- to use a sports metaphor from diving -- the degree of difficulty would be quite significant.