What term describes a comparison using "like" or "as"?

The term that describes a comparison using "like" or "as" is indeed similes. Similes explicitly draw parallels between two distinct subjects by employing these specific words, facilitating clearer imagery and emotional resonance in writing. For instance, saying "as brave as a lion" vividly paints the picture of bravery by comparing it directly to the well-known characteristics of a lion.

In contrast, metaphors imply a direct equivalence between two entities without using "like" or "as," suggesting that one thing is another (e.g., saying "time is a thief" equates time with a thief metaphorically). Analogies, while similar to similes, typically explain one idea by comparing it to another, often over a more extended scope, rather than using the succinct format found in similes. Personification attributes human qualities to non-human entities, providing a different poetic device altogether.

The use of similes is prevalent in both poetry and everyday language, enhancing descriptions and enriching the reader's experience through relatable comparisons.