The best replacement for metaphor is analogy.

The best alternatives to metaphor are rated as following:
★★★★★  analogy
★★★★★  simile
★★★  idiom
★★★  allegory
★★★  symbol
★★  simile worksheet
★★  personification
★★  metonymy
★  hyperbole
★  simile quiz
★  euphemism
  simile poem
  extended metaphor
  symbolism
  simile comparison
  parable
  allusion
  simile activities
  simile poems
  analogy definition
  simile games
  similes
  metaphor
  an analogy
  cliche
  symbols

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Speaking about metaphor, one probably shouldn't forget about examples.

Other search terms related to metaphor and their ratings are:
★★★★★ examples
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Google Trends

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metaphor
analogy
simile