Figures of Comparison Vocabulary

an implicit comparison stating one thing is another

“All the world's a stage—Shakespeare's metaphor.”

an explicit comparison using 'like' or 'as'

“Life is like a box of chocolates.”

comparison explaining one thing in terms of another

“The brain is like a computer—an analogy, though imperfect.”

using a part to represent the whole, or vice versa

“All hands on deck—hands representing sailors.”

substituting something closely associated for the thing itself

“The pen is mightier than the sword—pen for writing, sword for military force.”

giving human qualities to non-human things

“Death, be not proud—Donne's personification.”

addressing an absent person, abstract idea, or inanimate object

“O Death, where is thy sting?”

deliberate exaggeration for emphasis

“I've told you a million times—hyperbole for emphasis.”