What is the term for a comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"?

The term for a comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as" is indeed a simile. This literary device explicitly highlights similarities between two different objects or ideas, creating vivid imagery that enhances understanding or emotional resonance. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" compares bravery to a lion, emphasizing the quality of bravery through that specific image.

In contrast, a metaphor also makes a comparison but does so directly without using "like" or "as," asserting that one thing is another (e.g., "Time is a thief"). Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities, which is quite different from comparing two unlike things. Alliteration refers to the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a phrase, which is not related to comparisons at all. Therefore, the clarity and specificity of similes make them a distinct and valuable tool in literature for conveying imagery and emotion.