Sometimes, people go through hard times. They may feel sad, hurt, or just really low. Instead of just saying “I feel bad,” we can use special word pictures to show those feelings. These word pictures are called similes. A simile uses words like “like” or “as” to compare one thing to another. It helps make our feelings clearer to others.
In this lesson, we will learn about similes that describe suffering. These phrases help us talk about tough feelings in a way that others can understand better. You’ll see how similes can make writing more powerful and interesting. Later, you’ll also get to test what you’ve learned with a fun quiz. Let’s begin by learning some similes that show what it’s like to suffer.
Similes for Suffering
1. Like a rainy day
Meaning: Feeling sad or down.
Within a Sentence: She felt like a rainy day after her friend moved. / I was like a rainy day when I lost my game.
In Other Words: She was very sad. / I felt really low.
2. As lonely as a cloud
Meaning: Feeling alone or left out.
Within a Sentence: He was as lonely as a cloud at the new school. / I felt as lonely as a cloud when no one picked me for the team.
In Other Words: He had no one to talk to. / I felt alone.
3. Like a broken toy
Meaning: Feeling hurt or useless.
Within a Sentence: She felt like a broken toy after being left out. / He looked like a broken toy when he didn’t win.
In Other Words: She felt useless. / He was very hurt.
4. As quiet as a shadow
Meaning: So sad you don’t want to speak.
Within a Sentence: After the bad news, he was as quiet as a shadow. / She sat there as quiet as a shadow.
In Other Words: He didn’t talk at all. / She was very quiet and sad.
5. Like a wilting flower
Meaning: Feeling tired and sad.
Within a Sentence: She looked like a wilting flower after the long day. / He felt like a wilting flower with no friends around.
In Other Words: She was worn out and upset. / He felt down.
6. As heavy as a stone
Meaning: Feeling weighed down by sadness.
Within a Sentence: Her heart felt as heavy as a stone. / I walked home as heavy as a stone.
In Other Words: She was really sad. / I felt full of worry.
7. Like a cold winter
Meaning: Feeling empty or alone.
Within a Sentence: He felt like a cold winter after the fight. / Her mood was like a cold winter.
In Other Words: He felt lonely. / She was not happy at all.
8. As broken as glass
Meaning: Emotionally hurt or crushed.
Within a Sentence: She was as broken as glass when her pet died. / I felt as broken as glass after losing.
In Other Words: She was deeply hurt. / I felt torn up.
9. Like a bird with a hurt wing
Meaning: Not able to do what you want because of sadness.
Within a Sentence: He was like a bird with a hurt wing after the bad news. / She felt like a bird with a hurt wing.
In Other Words: He couldn’t move on. / She felt helpless.
10. As empty as a balloon with no air
Meaning: Feeling drained or without hope.
Within a Sentence: I felt as empty as a balloon with no air. / She was as empty as a balloon without fun.
In Other Words: I was sad inside. / She felt like nothing was left.
11. Like a door closed tight
Meaning: Feeling shut out or ignored.
Within a Sentence: She felt like a door closed tight when no one talked to her. / I was like a door closed tight at the party.
In Other Words: She felt left out. / I felt nobody wanted me.
12. As blue as the ocean
Meaning: Very sad.
Within a Sentence: He looked as blue as the ocean after his loss. / She was as blue as the ocean when her friend left.
In Other Words: He was very sad. / She felt really down.
13. Like a forgotten book
Meaning: Feeling unnoticed or unimportant.
Within a Sentence: I felt like a forgotten book on the shelf. / She was like a forgotten book during recess.
In Other Words: I felt ignored. / She felt unseen.
14. As slow as a rainy afternoon
Meaning: Feeling like time is dragging while being sad.
Within a Sentence: The day felt as slow as a rainy afternoon. / Waiting for the news was as slow as a rainy afternoon.
In Other Words: The time felt long. / It was hard to wait.
15. Like a flame going out
Meaning: Losing hope or energy.
Within a Sentence: His smile faded like a flame going out. / She felt like a flame going out after hearing the news.
In Other Words: He gave up. / She felt defeated.
16. As lost as a puppy
Meaning: Feeling unsure or scared.
Within a Sentence: I felt as lost as a puppy on my first day. / She looked as lost as a puppy at the big event.
In Other Words: I didn’t know what to do. / She felt nervous and confused.
17. Like a puzzle with missing pieces
Meaning: Feeling incomplete.
Within a Sentence: Life felt like a puzzle with missing pieces. / He felt like a puzzle with missing parts after the move.
In Other Words: Things didn’t feel right. / He felt something was missing.
18. As quiet as falling snow
Meaning: Sad and silent.
Within a Sentence: The room was as quiet as falling snow after the sad news. / She stayed as quiet as falling snow.
In Other Words: Nobody spoke. / She didn’t say a word.
19. Like a kite with no wind
Meaning: Stuck or unable to move forward.
Within a Sentence: He was like a kite with no wind after the setback. / I felt like a kite with no wind when my idea failed.
In Other Words: He couldn’t go on. / I felt stuck.
20. As soft as a tear
Meaning: Feeling tender and sad.
Within a Sentence: Her words were as soft as a tear. / His voice was as soft as a tear when he spoke.
In Other Words: She spoke gently. / He was very emotional.
21. Like thunder in the chest
Meaning: Feeling big, heavy sadness.
Within a Sentence: His pain felt like thunder in the chest. / It was like thunder in my chest when I heard the news.
In Other Words: He felt deep hurt. / I was very upset.
22. As small as a pebble
Meaning: Feeling weak or unimportant.
Within a Sentence: I felt as small as a pebble in front of the big crowd. / She was as small as a pebble when she was ignored.
In Other Words: I felt tiny. / She felt she didn’t matter.
23. Like a boat lost at sea
Meaning: Feeling confused or without help.
Within a Sentence: He was like a boat lost at sea after the change. / I felt like a boat lost at sea at the new school.
In Other Words: He didn’t know what to do. / I felt unsure and alone.
24. As gray as a cloudy sky
Meaning: Feeling dull and gloomy.
Within a Sentence: Her mood was as gray as a cloudy sky. / I felt as gray as a cloudy sky that day.
In Other Words: She felt down. / I was not cheerful.
25. Like a song with no music
Meaning: Feeling empty or lacking joy.
Within a Sentence: The day felt like a song with no music. / Life seemed like a song with no music after he left.
In Other Words: The day felt dull. / It didn’t feel complete.
26. As cold as ice
Meaning: Feeling distant or hurt.
Within a Sentence: Her words were as cold as ice. / He felt as cold as ice after the fight.
In Other Words: She was not kind. / He felt frozen inside.
27. Like a tree with no leaves
Meaning: Feeling lifeless or worn out.
Within a Sentence: I was like a tree with no leaves after the hard day. / She looked like a tree with no leaves.
In Other Words: I felt tired and sad. / She looked drained.
28. As low as the ground
Meaning: Feeling really sad or down.
Within a Sentence: He was as low as the ground after the news. / She felt as low as the ground when her project failed.
In Other Words: He was very upset. / She was very disappointed.
29. Like a clock with no hands
Meaning: Feeling stuck or like time doesn’t move.
Within a Sentence: Waiting felt like a clock with no hands. / After the breakup, time felt like a clock with no hands.
In Other Words: It felt like nothing changed. / The wait felt forever.
30. As dark as night
Meaning: Feeling very sad or hopeless.
Within a Sentence: Her thoughts were as dark as night. / He felt as dark as night after the loss.
In Other Words: She felt hopeless. / He was deeply sad.
31. Like an empty plate
Meaning: Feeling like something is missing.
Within a Sentence: The goodbye felt like an empty plate. / My heart felt like an empty plate after the move.
In Other Words: Something important was gone. / I missed something.
32. As weak as a whisper
Meaning: Feeling too tired or soft to act.
Within a Sentence: His voice was as weak as a whisper. / She felt as weak as a whisper all day.
In Other Words: He was very tired. / She had no strength.
33. Like a candle in the wind
Meaning: Feeling unsure or easily hurt.
Within a Sentence: He was like a candle in the wind when things went wrong. / Her heart felt like a candle in the wind.
In Other Words: He was not strong. / She felt easily broken.
34. As silent as a grave
Meaning: So sad you can’t speak.
Within a Sentence: The room was as silent as a grave. / I stayed as silent as a grave after the mistake.
In Other Words: Nobody said anything. / I was too upset to talk.
35. Like a leaf blown away
Meaning: Feeling tossed around or unsure.
Within a Sentence: He was like a leaf blown away after the fight. / She felt like a leaf in the wind.
In Other Words: He didn’t know what to do. / She felt lost.
36. As faded as old paint
Meaning: Feeling worn out or not fresh.
Within a Sentence: She felt as faded as old paint. / I looked as faded as old paint after the hard day.
In Other Words: She looked tired. / I was not full of energy.
37. Like a broken promise
Meaning: Feeling disappointed.
Within a Sentence: Her heart felt like a broken promise. / The moment was like a broken promise.
In Other Words: She was let down. / It didn’t go as hoped.
38. As still as a statue
Meaning: Too sad to move or speak.
Within a Sentence: He stood as still as a statue. / She was as still as a statue during the goodbye.
In Other Words: He couldn’t move. / She was frozen.
39. Like a light turned off
Meaning: Losing joy or hope.
Within a Sentence: Her smile was like a light turned off. / I felt like a light turned off.
In Other Words: She stopped smiling. / I had no joy.
40. As blank as a wall
Meaning: Feeling numb or without feeling.
Within a Sentence: His face was as blank as a wall. / I stared ahead as blank as a wall.
In Other Words: He showed no emotion. / I felt nothing.
41. Like a lonely road
Meaning: Feeling all alone.
Within a Sentence: She felt like a lonely road. / The night was like a lonely road.
In Other Words: She was by herself. / It felt empty.
42. As broken as a dropped plate
Meaning: Deeply hurt inside.
Within a Sentence: His heart was as broken as a dropped plate. / She felt as broken as a dropped plate.
In Other Words: He was really hurt. / She felt crushed.
43. Like a night with no stars
Meaning: Feeling hopeless or empty.
Within a Sentence: It felt like a night with no stars. / My heart was like a night with no stars.
In Other Words: Everything felt dark. / I had no hope.
44. As dry as dust
Meaning: Feeling no joy or excitement.
Within a Sentence: The day felt as dry as dust. / His mood was as dry as dust.
In Other Words: It was boring. / He was not happy.
45. Like a voice that can’t be heard
Meaning: Feeling ignored or not listened to.
Within a Sentence: I felt like a voice that can’t be heard. / She was like a voice in the crowd.
In Other Words: I felt no one heard me. / She was not noticed.
46. As cracked as dry land
Meaning: Feeling hurt and worn.
Within a Sentence: His smile was as cracked as dry land. / I felt as cracked as dry land inside.
In Other Words: He was holding back pain. / I felt broken.
47. Like a path with no end
Meaning: Feeling stuck or like things won’t get better.
Within a Sentence: Life felt like a path with no end. / Her sadness was like a path with no end.
In Other Words: It felt like it would never stop. / She didn’t feel better.
48. As quiet as the moon
Meaning: Feeling peaceful but sad.
Within a Sentence: She was as quiet as the moon. / I sat there as quiet as the moon.
In Other Words: She was calm but not happy. / I felt silent.
49. Like a drum with no beat
Meaning: Feeling lifeless.
Within a Sentence: The class felt like a drum with no beat. / He was like a drum with no beat.
In Other Words: It felt dull. / He had no energy.
50. As stuck as glue
Meaning: Feeling trapped.
Within a Sentence: I was as stuck as glue in my sadness. / She felt as stuck as glue in the moment.
In Other Words: I couldn’t move on. / She felt held back.
51. Like a song that won’t play
Meaning: Feeling like nothing is working.
Within a Sentence: My day felt like a song that won’t play. / She was like a song that wouldn’t start.
In Other Words: Everything felt wrong. / Nothing went right.
52. As slow as a tear
Meaning: Feeling things go by very slowly when you’re sad.
Within a Sentence: The night was as slow as a tear. / The moment felt as slow as a tear.
In Other Words: It felt long. / Sadness made it feel slow.
53. Like a mirror with a crack
Meaning: Feeling broken but still trying.
Within a Sentence: I felt like a mirror with a crack. / Her smile was like a mirror with a crack.
In Other Words: I looked okay but was hurt. / She looked fine but wasn’t.
54. As faded as an old photo
Meaning: Feeling tired and full of old memories.
Within a Sentence: His joy was as faded as an old photo. / She felt as faded as an old picture.
In Other Words: He wasn’t happy anymore. / She remembered the past with sadness.
55. Like a balloon flying away
Meaning: Feeling like things are out of control.
Within a Sentence: My hope felt like a balloon flying away. / She was like a balloon in the sky.
In Other Words: My hope was gone. / She felt out of reach.
56. As dim as a candle in the wind
Meaning: Feeling weak and barely holding on.
Within a Sentence: His spirit was as dim as a candle in the wind. / Her hope was as dim as a candle.
In Other Words: He was tired. / She was barely okay.
57. Like a faded rainbow
Meaning: Losing color and joy.
Within a Sentence: Her dreams looked like a faded rainbow. / The fun faded like a rainbow after the rain.
In Other Words: Her dreams were not bright anymore. / The fun was gone.
58. As cracked as old wood
Meaning: Feeling worn and hurt.
Within a Sentence: His heart was as cracked as old wood. / She felt as cracked as old wood.
In Other Words: He was tired inside. / She felt broken.
59. Like a road with no signs
Meaning: Not knowing where to go in hard times.
Within a Sentence: I was like a road with no signs. / Life felt like a road with no signs.
In Other Words: I was confused. / Things felt unclear.
60. As torn as paper
Meaning: Feeling split or pulled apart.
Within a Sentence: My heart was as torn as paper. / She felt as torn as paper inside.
In Other Words: I felt hurt deeply. / She was very upset.
Similes for Suffering – True/False Quiz
- Saying “He felt like a rainy day” means he was very happy.
- “She was as lonely as a cloud” means she felt left out.
- If someone is “as broken as glass,” they feel strong and proud.
- “Like a bird with a hurt wing” shows someone can’t do what they want.
- “As blue as the ocean” means someone is feeling really sad.
- “Like a candle in the wind” means someone is feeling brave and strong.
- If a person is “as quiet as a shadow,” they are probably very sad.
- “Like a forgotten book” shows someone feels ignored.
- “As cold as ice” means someone is full of joy.
- “Like a puzzle with missing pieces” means something feels complete.
- “As still as a statue” means someone is too upset to move or speak.
- “Like a night with no stars” means everything feels happy and bright.
- “As cracked as old wood” means someone feels worn out or broken.
- “Like a balloon flying away” shows someone feels like they are losing control.
- “As torn as paper” means someone feels pulled apart or hurt.
Answer Key:
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
Scoring Guide:
- 15 Correct Answers: Similes Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Similes nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Similes together!
Conclusion
Talking about sad or hard feelings can be tricky. Similes help us do that by comparing feelings to things we see or know, like rain, broken glass, or lonely roads. These word pictures make it easier to understand what someone is going through.
You can use these similes in stories, poems, or even when writing about your day. They help make your writing stronger and your feelings clearer. Keep reading and trying new similes you’re doing great.
