What literary device uses words that imitate sounds?

Onomatopoeia is the literary device that uses words that imitate sounds. Words like "buzz," "clang," "sizzle," and "boom" are examples of onomatopoeia because they mimic the actual sounds associated with the objects or actions they describe. This device enhances the sensory experience of the text, allowing readers to hear the sounds through the words themselves, which can create a more vivid and engaging atmosphere in literature.

Other literary devices serve different functions; for example, alliteration focuses on the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words, which can contribute to rhythm and mood but does not specifically imitate sounds. Personification gives human qualities to non-human entities, which creates emotional connections or vivid imagery but does not relate to sound imitation. Imagery, while it paints a picture through descriptive language, encompasses all senses rather than just sound. Therefore, onomatopoeia stands out as uniquely dedicated to imitating sounds in language.