What is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as"?

The answer is correct because a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as" is specifically defined as a simile. Similes are prominent in poetry and everyday language, providing vivid imagery by drawing direct comparisons. For example, saying "her smile was as bright as the sun" illustrates how similes create relatable imagery by connecting disparate ideas through shared qualities.

In contrast, a metaphor also draws comparisons but does so without the use of "like" or "as," directly stating that one thing is another (e.g., "time is a thief"). An allusion is a reference to another work, person, or event, and it does not establish a simile comparison. An analogy, while it can involve comparisons, typically explains an idea or a thing by comparing it to something more familiar or simpler, rather than using the direct structure of "like" or "as." Thus, the unique characteristics of similes clearly make them the answer to this question.