Academic Dictionary
Home / Thesaurus / Simile
Find the word that fits

Simile: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy
26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
Start with the meaning

Simile

A word or phrase by which anything is likened, in one or more of its aspects, to something else; a similitude; a poetical or imaginative comparison.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →
45 useful connections shown 3 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.
Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 3

Figure 76% connected

The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words
Image 76% connected

An imitation, representation, or similitude of any person, thing, or act, sculptured, drawn, painted, or otherwise made perceptible to the sight; a v…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words
Trope 76% connected

The use of a word or expression in a different sense from that which properly belongs to it; the use of a word or expression as changed from the orig…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words
Explore further

Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

Allocution noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) a formal or authoritative address that advises or exhorts

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Exordium noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Narration noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Parenesis noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) exhortation; admonition.; "In Deuteronomy it is often impossible to separate parenesis from history."

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Peroration noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration; "he summarized his main points in his peroration"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Ploce noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) repetition to gain special emphasis or extend meaning

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Tapinosis noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) A figure of speech whereby something is given less importance by the name given it than it merits.; "The last and perhaps t…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Counterargument noun · 78% connection

an argument offered in opposition to another argument

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Rhetorical device noun · 78% connection

a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Rhetorical question noun · 78% connection

a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered; "he liked to make his points with rhetorical que…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Analogy noun · 78% connection

the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greate…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Anaphora noun · 78% connection

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Antithesis noun · 78% connection

exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Chiasmus noun · 78% connection

inversion in the second of two parallel phrases

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Commiseration noun · 78% connection

a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; "the blind are too often objects of pity"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Correspondence noun · 78% connection

similarity by virtue of corresponding

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Doctrine of analogy noun · 78% connection

the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greate…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Epanaphora noun · 78% connection

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Abbreviation noun · 78% connection

The form to which a word or phrase is reduced by contraction and omission; a letter or letters, standing for a word or phrase of which…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Adjective noun · 78% connection

A word used with a noun, or substantive, to express a quality of the thing named, or something attributed to it, or to limit or define…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Alike adjective · 78% connection

Having resemblance or similitude; similar; without difference.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Ally verb · 78% connection

To connect or form a relation between by similitude, resemblance, friendship, or love.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Anagram noun · 78% connection

a word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Analogically adverb · 78% connection

In an analogical sense; in accordance with analogy; by way of similitude.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Another pron. & a. · 78% connection

Any or some; any different person, indefinitely; any one else; some one else.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Assimilable adjective · 78% connection

That may be assimilated; that may be likened, or appropriated and incorporated.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Change verb · 78% connection

To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Collation verb · 78% connection

The act of collating or comparing; a comparison of one copy er thing (as of a book, or manuscript) with another of a like kind; compar…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Comparatively adverb · 78% connection

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else; "the situation is relatively calm now"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
Comparing noun · 78% connection

the act of examining resemblances; "they made a comparison of noise levels"; "the fractions selected for comparison must require pupil…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: phrase, anything, likened, aspects, else.
Definition Compare
All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.

Dictionary Definitions and meanings Thesaurus Synonyms with nuance Academic writing Evidence and analysis Professional Workplace vocabulary Word origins Etymology and roots Subjects Specialist dictionaries Word clusters Connected vocabulary Word similarity Compare two words Crossword Play with vocabulary