What do we call a comparison made using the words "like" or "as"?

The correct answer is a simile, which is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things by using connecting words, most commonly "like" or "as." This form of comparison helps to create vivid imagery and allows the reader or listener to understand the similarities between the two subjects being compared in a more relatable way. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" draws a clear picture of courage by linking it directly to the widely recognized bravery of a lion.

Understanding this distinguishes a simile from a metaphor, which makes a direct comparison without using "like" or "as," suggesting that one thing is another (e.g., "time is a thief"). An analogy, on the other hand, is typically a more complex comparison that explains one idea by likening it to another, often involving multiple points of similarity. Alliteration refers to the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words, which is a different linguistic device altogether.