How is a "metaphor" characterized?

A metaphor is characterized by a direct comparison between two unlike things, suggesting that one thing is another to highlight similarities between them. This figure of speech does not use "like" or "as," which is a key distinction that separates it from similes, another type of comparison. By implying that one subject is another, metaphors can create vivid imagery and deepen understanding by allowing the audience to see a familiar concept in a new light. This direct association can be powerful in literature and everyday speech, as it encourages a more emotional or imaginative engagement with the ideas being presented.