analogy
Illuminating parallel example
An analogy is a comparison highlighting similarities between different things, typically to explain or clarify: By analogy, the heart is like a pump.
Reasoning by analogy extends known properties of one thing to another that shares relevant features.
An analogy may also be the similarity itself: There is an analogy between computer viruses and biological ones.
Comparison via "as"
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- likenessVisual similarity or representation
- resemblanceLikeness between things
- parallelEquidistant at all points
similarity · equivalence · counterpart · comparable · akin · correspondence · affinity · correlation
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- allusionIndirect reference to something
figure of speech · conceit · imagery · symbolism · trope · illustration · literary device · exemplum
Exchanged written communication
Picture explaining something
- exampleRepresentative case shown
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- explanationStatement making something clear
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
elucidation · simplification · pedagogy · didactic · exemplify · model · case study · learning aid
Conclusion reached through reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
premise · conclusion · extrapolation · generalization · hypothesis · implication · proposition · analysis
simile
Comparison via "as"
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- likenessVisual similarity or representation
- resemblanceLikeness between things
parallel · similarity · equivalence · counterpart · comparable · akin · correspondence · affinity · correlation · homology
allegory
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
allusion · figure of speech · conceit · imagery · symbolism · trope · illustration · literary device · exemplum · fable
correspondence
Exchanged written communication
linkage · association · schema · mental model · representation
illustration
Picture explaining something
- exampleRepresentative case shown
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- explanationStatement making something clear
demonstration · elucidation · simplification · pedagogy · didactic · exemplify · model · case study · learning aid · scaffold
inference
Conclusion reached through reasoning
argument · premise · conclusion · extrapolation · generalization · hypothesis · implication · proposition · analysis · pattern recognition
- comparisonscomparison, compare, comparative, metaphor, simile
- rhetoricrhetoric, persuasion, oratory, argumentation, debate
- mental shortcutsmental shortcut, rule of thumb, hunch, gut feeling, educated guess
- Comparison Methodscomparative anatomy, benchmarking, A/B testing, cladistics, homology
- figurative devicesextended metaphor, conceit, epic simile, personification
- abstractionsidea, concept, abstraction, thought, meaning
analogydifference
Way things contrast
dissimilarity · contrast · unlikeness · incongruity · disparity
analogydisproportion
Lack of proper balance
disproportionality · incongruity · mismatch · asymmetry · imbalance
- analog controlsContinuous physical input devices
- analog clocksTime displays with rotating pointers
- analogue clockTimepiece with rotating hands
- analogue watchWatch displaying hands
- analog watchMechanical face timekeeper
- analog watchesTimepieces with dial faces
analogous, analog, analogue, analogies, analogize, analogously, analogical, analogs, analogizing