The pathetic fallacy is a literary device commonly used in writing to describe the attribution of human emotions, thoughts, or characteristics to non-human objects or natural phenomena. To convey a similar meaning, writers may use various synonyms for the term pathetic fallacy such as anthropomorphism, personification, and zoomorphism. Anthropomorphism refers to the attribution of human traits to animals, while personification involves giving human qualities to inanimate objects. Zoomorphism refers to the attributing of animal characteristics to non-animal objects or phenomena. Synonyms for the pathetic fallacy may also include metaphor, allegory, or symbolism, as each of these devices utilizes figurative language to convey a deeper meaning or message within a piece of writing.