Which term is a figure of speech substituting one term for another?

• A. Metonymy
• B. Irony
• C. Allegory
• D. Figure of Speech

Answer: (A)

Metonymy is a figure of speech that substitutes one term for another because the two are closely related or connected. By using a related name or attribute to stand for the thing itself, we can talk about a whole concept with a related word. For example, saying “The White House issued a statement” uses the building as a stand-in for the people and administration inside it. That kind of substitution is exactly what metonymy describes. Irony involves saying the opposite of what is meant, which is a different device. Allegory is a full narrative that uses symbolic figures to convey deeper meanings, not a simple substitution. A figure of speech is a broad category, and metonymy is a specific one within that category.