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

The correct term that describes a comparison using "like" or "as" is indeed simile. A simile explicitly makes a comparison between two different things by highlighting a shared quality or characteristic, and it uses the words "like" or "as" to do so. For example, in the phrase "as brave as a lion," the bravery of one subject is compared to that of a lion, creating a vivid image and enhancing understanding.

In contrast, a metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unrelated subjects without using "like" or "as," suggesting that one thing is another (e.g., "Time is a thief"). An analogy, while also a type of comparison, typically explains how two different things are alike in a more complex or detailed manner, often for the purpose of clarification. Personification attributes human qualities to non-human entities, focusing on imbuing life-like traits or emotions to things like objects or animals. Each of these terms serves a specific function in language, but simile's defining characteristic is its reliance on "like" or "as" to draw comparisons directly.