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Definition of metaphor : The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea.

Synonyms:

catch-all, parable, acrostic, fable, Americanism, bathos, archaism, dramatic irony, Arabism, borrowing, dialogue, clue, device, characterization, establish, anagram, surrogate, dialog, successor, alternate, anthropomorphic, substitute, deus ex machina, standby, anglicism, stand-in, chant, fiction, implied comparison, replacement

comparison, analogy, parallel, similarity, simile, allegory

locution, verbalism, phrase, maxim, sentence, euphemism, adage, motto, expression, catchphrase, paragraph, cliche, figure of speech, clause, proverb, slogan, terminology, epigram, phraseology, mannerism, idiom

facsimile, likeness, depiction, representation, duplication, image, cartoon, model, copy, statue, approximation, illustration, carving, cast, silhouette, picture, figurine, snapshot, impression, pastiche, idol, photograph, imitation, bust, effigy, drawing, portrayal, rendering, outline, miniature, replica

figuration, allusion, parallelism, irony, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, contrast, ornament, imagery, alliteration, sarcasm

Usage examples:

• " That was all a metaphor," he said bitterly. - "King of the Castle", George Manville Fenn.
• " Ay, this comes of talking in metaphor," rejoined Brandon, smiling; " they who begin it always get the worst of it. - "Paul Clifford, Volume 3.", Edward Bulwer-Lytton.
• He paints without varnish, in hard outline, avoiding metaphor and ornamental diction generally; taking his language so freely out of the mouths of men in actual life that he makes occasional slips into vulgarity. - "Studies in Literature and History", Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall.