A comparison without using "like" or "as" is known as what?

A comparison without using "like" or "as" is referred to as a metaphor. Metaphors directly state that one thing is another, creating a strong connection between the two subjects by suggesting they share common characteristics. This type of figurative language is often used to convey deeper meanings or to evoke strong imagery in writing.

For instance, saying "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from our lives without explicitly making a comparison through "like" or "as." This direct assertion enhances the emotional impact and conceptual understanding of the relationship between time and loss.

In contrast, a simile uses "like" or "as" to make a comparison (e.g., "as brave as a lion"), while an allegory employs a story or narrative to convey deeper moral or political meanings. An analogy typically explains one idea by comparing it to another to clarify concepts or relationships, but it doesn’t serve the same poetic function as a metaphor.