What literary device compares two things using "like," "as," or other specifically comparative words?

The literary device that compares two things using "like," "as," or other specifically comparative words is simile. Similes create a direct connection between different ideas or objects, emphasizing similarities in an imaginative way. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" or "like a rose among thorns" illustrates qualities by making clear comparisons, enhancing visual imagery and emotional resonance within the text.

Metaphor, while related, does not use comparative words and instead states that one thing is another, such as "the world's a stage." Analogy serves a broader purpose, often explaining something complex by comparing it to something simpler and does not rely solely on explicit comparative terms. Personification involves attributing human qualities to non-human elements, further distinguishing it from similes that focus on direct comparisons.