Sometimes, things just aren’t fair. You might feel this way when your team follows the rules, but the other side cheats and still wins. Or maybe your little brother gets away with something you’d get in trouble for. These unfair moments are called injustice.
To talk about injustice in a stronger way, people sometimes use similes. A simile compares one thing to another using words like “as” or “like.” Instead of saying “That was unfair,” someone might say, “It felt like being pushed aside in your own game.” These similes help show how unfairness feels in pictures or actions. In this article, we’ll look at similes that help describe what injustice feels like, and how you can use them to share your own feelings more clearly.
Similes for Injustice
1. Like being picked last in gym class
Meaning: Feeling left out or treated unfairly
Within a Sentence: It felt like being picked last in gym class. / Getting blamed for the mess felt like being picked last again.
In Other Words: I felt left out. / It wasn’t fair.
2. As wrong as a broken clock
Meaning: Something clearly unfair or incorrect
Within a Sentence: The rule was as wrong as a broken clock. / That choice felt as wrong as a broken clock.
In Other Words: It made no sense. / It didn’t feel right.
3. Like a seesaw stuck on one side
Meaning: One side always wins or has the power
Within a Sentence: Their team always gets the ball first; it’s like a seesaw stuck on one side. / It’s like only one person ever gets a turn.
In Other Words: It’s not balanced. / It’s not fair.
4. As unfair as rain on field day
Meaning: Disappointing and not right
Within a Sentence: Missing recess felt as unfair as rain on field day. / That test felt as unfair as rain on my birthday.
In Other Words: I felt upset. / It ruined my good time.
5. Like a game with changing rules
Meaning: Unclear and unfair treatment
Within a Sentence: The teacher changed the rule, it’s like a game with changing rules. / It’s like playing tag, but the rules keep changing.
In Other Words: It’s confusing and not right.
6. As one-sided as a coin
Meaning: Only one side gets a fair chance
Within a Sentence: That contest was as one-sided as a coin. / The teacher’s choice was as one-sided as a coin toss that never flips.
In Other Words: Only one side was seen. / It wasn’t equal.
7. Like being blamed for a mess you didn’t make
Meaning: Getting in trouble for something you didn’t do
Within a Sentence: Getting detention for nothing felt like being blamed for a mess you didn’t make. / I didn’t even do it, but I got in trouble, just like being blamed wrongly.
In Other Words: It wasn’t my fault. / That wasn’t fair.
8. As unfair as a test with no study guide
Meaning: Not given the same help or chances
Within a Sentence: The quiz was as unfair as a test with no study guide. / How are we supposed to pass without help?
In Other Words: It wasn’t equal. / We weren’t prepared.
9. Like a locked door with no key
Meaning: No way to make it right or fix it
Within a Sentence: Getting left out felt like a locked door with no key. / It was like no one wanted to open the door for me.
In Other Words: I couldn’t get in. / It wasn’t open to me.
10. As lopsided as a wobbly table
Meaning: Something is clearly tilted or unfair
Within a Sentence: The decision was as lopsided as a wobbly table. / This deal is as shaky as a tilted desk.
In Other Words: It doesn’t feel right. / It’s not balanced.
11. Like being skipped in line
Meaning: Someone else gets to go when it’s your turn
Within a Sentence: It felt like being skipped in line when I didn’t get a turn. / Everyone else went first, it felt unfair.
In Other Words: I was ignored. / I didn’t get my turn.
12. As uneven as a tilted picture
Meaning: Things are not equal
Within a Sentence: The rule felt as uneven as a tilted picture on the wall. / It didn’t feel right or even.
In Other Words: Things didn’t match. / It was off.
13. Like playing a game with broken pieces
Meaning: Unfair chances or rules
Within a Sentence: The team had no gear; it was like playing with broken pieces. / It wasn’t a fair game at all.
In Other Words: It was hard to win. / We weren’t treated fairly.
14. As unfair as losing before starting
Meaning: No chance from the beginning
Within a Sentence: It felt as unfair as losing before the race even began. / We didn’t even get to try.
In Other Words: We lost before we started. / It wasn’t right.
15. Like being the only one left out
Meaning: Everyone is included but you
Within a Sentence: They left me out; it was like being the only one not picked. / I was the only one not invited.
In Other Words: I felt forgotten. / I was left out.
16. As fair as a two-headed coin
Meaning: It’s always going to land on one side
Within a Sentence: Their team always wins, it’s as fair as a two-headed coin. / You know how it’ll turn out.
In Other Words: It’s not a real chance. / It’s unfair.
17. Like a door that only opens for some
Meaning: Some people get chances while others don’t
Within a Sentence: It felt like a door that opens for others but not for me. / I couldn’t even try.
In Other Words: I wasn’t allowed. / Others had it easy.
18. As fair as a race with only one runner
Meaning: No one else gets a chance
Within a Sentence: That contest was as fair as a race with one person. / They already picked the winner.
In Other Words: No one else had a shot. / It was decided early.
19. Like rules that change for friends
Meaning: Some people don’t follow the same rules
Within a Sentence: The rules changed just for them; it was like rules that bend for friends. / That’s not okay.
In Other Words: They got special treatment. / It wasn’t the same for everyone.
20. As helpful as an umbrella with holes
Meaning: No real help when it matters
Within a Sentence: That excuse was as helpful as an umbrella with holes. / It didn’t protect us at all.
In Other Words: It didn’t help. / We were left out.
21. Like being stuck on a team that never gets the ball
Meaning: Being on the side that never gets a fair chance
Within a Sentence: It was like being stuck on a team that never gets the ball. / We kept asking for a turn, but they ignored us.
In Other Words: We were left out. / No one gave us a chance.
22. As fair as giving candy to only one student
Meaning: Treating one person better than everyone else
Within a Sentence: Giving one student candy and not the rest is as fair as that. / We all did well but only one got the prize.
In Other Words: It was unfair. / Everyone should get treated the same.
23. Like being told to run with your shoes untied
Meaning: Not being given what you need to succeed
Within a Sentence: Trying to do that test without help was like running with shoes untied. / It wasn’t safe or fair.
In Other Words: I was set up to fail. / I didn’t have what I needed.
24. As even as a slide that only goes down
Meaning: Everything goes in one direction, no balance
Within a Sentence: Their team always wins, it’s like a slide that never stops. / Nothing ever goes our way.
In Other Words: There’s no balance. / It’s always the same side winning.
25. Like everyone getting a prize except you
Meaning: Feeling left out when others are rewarded
Within a Sentence: It felt like everyone got a prize but me. / I did the work too, but I was skipped.
In Other Words: I was ignored. / It felt bad.
26. As balanced as a ladder with one leg
Meaning: A situation that doesn’t support fairness
Within a Sentence: Their plan was as balanced as a ladder missing a leg. / It couldn’t stand upright.
In Other Words: It was unfair. / It didn’t work well for all.
27. Like being told to swim without water
Meaning: Being asked to do something impossible
Within a Sentence: That assignment was like being told to swim without water. / It didn’t make sense.
In Other Words: I couldn’t do it. / It was a setup.
28. As right as turning homework in on time, but still getting a zero
Meaning: Doing everything correctly but still being treated unfairly
Within a Sentence: I turned it in, but got a zero. That felt as right as being punished for doing good.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / I did what I was supposed to.
29. Like a teacher only calling on some kids
Meaning: Not giving everyone a fair chance to speak
Within a Sentence: The teacher kept picking the same kids; it felt like only their voices mattered.
In Other Words: We were ignored. / It wasn’t equal.
30. As fair as a pizza with one slice for you and five for others
Meaning: Someone getting much less than others
Within a Sentence: I only got one slice; they got five, it felt wrong. / That wasn’t a fair share.
In Other Words: I got less. / It wasn’t equal.
31. Like being benched when you didn’t break the rules
Meaning: Being punished unfairly
Within a Sentence: I got benched for something I didn’t do. / That’s like blaming the wrong person.
In Other Words: It was someone else’s fault. / I was treated unfairly.
32. As fair as being told you’re late when the clock is broken
Meaning: Getting in trouble when it’s not your fault
Within a Sentence: They said I was late, but the clock didn’t work. / That wasn’t fair at all.
In Other Words: I couldn’t help it. / I didn’t do anything wrong.
33. Like being sent out while others get second chances
Meaning: Others get more chances than you
Within a Sentence: Everyone else got to try again, but I didn’t. / It didn’t feel right.
In Other Words: I wasn’t treated the same. / I felt left out.
34. As even as a pencil with no lead
Meaning: Something that looks fair but isn’t useful
Within a Sentence: That offer was as useful as a pencil with no lead. / It looked fair but wasn’t.
In Other Words: I couldn’t do anything with it. / It was pointless.
35. Like helping clean up, but getting no credit
Meaning: Doing the work but not getting recognized
Within a Sentence: I helped, but no one said thanks. / It felt like I didn’t matter.
In Other Words: I was forgotten. / I deserved better.
36. As helpful as a map with no roads
Meaning: No help when it matters
Within a Sentence: That advice was like a map with no roads. / I still didn’t know what to do.
In Other Words: It didn’t help. / I was still lost.
37. Like being given a test on things you never learned
Meaning: Not prepared but still judged
Within a Sentence: We never learned that; it felt like a trick test. / That wasn’t fair.
In Other Words: I wasn’t taught. / How could I know?
38. As fair as a snow day, only for some kids
Meaning: One group gets something good while others don’t
Within a Sentence: Only some classes got to go out. / It didn’t feel fair at all.
In Other Words: We were left behind. / It was unfair.
39. Like trying to win with your hands tied
Meaning: Not being able to do your best
Within a Sentence: It felt like we had no tools to win. / The other side had everything.
In Other Words: We were held back. / They had the advantage.
40. As honest as hiding extra cards in a game
Meaning: Someone is cheating or not being truthful
Within a Sentence: They cheated and still said they won. / That wasn’t right.
In Other Words: They were dishonest. / It wasn’t fair play.
41. Like being blamed for someone else’s mess
Meaning: Getting in trouble for what others did
Within a Sentence: I didn’t make the mess, but I got blamed. / It felt so wrong.
In Other Words: It wasn’t my fault. / I got in trouble unfairly.
42. As equal as a tug-of-war with only one person on your side
Meaning: The situation is clearly unfair
Within a Sentence: We had fewer people; it was like a tug-of-war with no help. / We had no chance.
In Other Words: It was uneven. / We were outnumbered.
43. Like being left behind on purpose
Meaning: Others didn’t want you included
Within a Sentence: They all walked ahead fast; it felt like being left behind on purpose. / They didn’t care I couldn’t keep up.
In Other Words: I was forgotten. / They left me out.
44. As right as telling the truth and still getting in trouble
Meaning: Being honest but punished anyway
Within a Sentence: I told the truth and still got grounded. / That felt really wrong.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / I was honest but still blamed.
45. Like being graded for someone else’s work
Meaning: Being judged unfairly
Within a Sentence: My name was on the project, but I didn’t do it. / I got the grade anyway.
In Other Words: I was blamed for their mistake. / It wasn’t my fault.
46. As fair as being told you’re too late for lunch when the line just opened
Meaning: Not getting what you deserve
Within a Sentence: They said I was late, but lunch just started. / That made no sense.
In Other Words: I was treated wrongly. / I missed out for no reason.
47. Like watching others play but not allowed to join
Meaning: Seeing something you can’t be part of
Within a Sentence: I had to watch the game from the bench. / I felt invisible.
In Other Words: I wanted to join. / They left me out.
48. As even as stairs missing the last step
Meaning: Something is clearly incomplete or unfair
Within a Sentence: The plan sounded good, but didn’t work. / It was like stairs missing a step.
In Other Words: It wasn’t finished. / We fell short.
49. Like a team where only one player gets the ball
Meaning: One person gets all the attention
Within a Sentence: He never passed the ball. / It felt like we didn’t even matter.
In Other Words: Only one person was in charge. / We had no say.
50. As fair as a flashlight with no batteries
Meaning: Looks helpful, but doesn’t work
Within a Sentence: The rules were there, but they didn’t help. / Like a flashlight with no batteries.
In Other Words: It didn’t work. / It wasn’t useful.
51. Like a teacher only smiling at certain kids
Meaning: Showing favoritism
Within a Sentence: She smiled at them but never at me. / It didn’t feel good.
In Other Words: Some were treated better. / I felt left out.
52. As right as giving points to the wrong team
Meaning: Rewarding someone who didn’t earn it
Within a Sentence: The other team got points they didn’t earn. / That wasn’t fair at all.
In Other Words: We were robbed. / They didn’t deserve it.
53. Like being shut out of a game you helped plan
Meaning: Being excluded from something you helped with
Within a Sentence: I helped plan the game, but they didn’t let me play. / That really hurt.
In Other Words: I was ignored. / I was left out.
54. As fair as playing hide-and-seek without hiding
Meaning: The game doesn’t make sense anymore
Within a Sentence: They changed the game rules; it was like hide-and-seek without hiding.
In Other Words: It wasn’t real. / It didn’t make sense.
55. Like the answer key being wrong on purpose
Meaning: Being set up to fail
Within a Sentence: I followed the steps but was told I was wrong. / That’s not fair.
In Other Words: I was tricked. / It was unfair from the start.
56. As equal as one shoe for two feet
Meaning: Not enough for everyone
Within a Sentence: We were expected to share one book for five kids. / That wasn’t equal.
In Other Words: We didn’t each get a fair share. / It didn’t work.
57. Like being told your turn doesn’t count
Meaning: Being treated like your part doesn’t matter
Within a Sentence: They skipped my turn. / It was like I didn’t exist.
In Other Words: I was ignored. / My part was left out.
58. As helpful as a broken walkie-talkie
Meaning: A tool or system that doesn’t work
Within a Sentence: The system was there, but it didn’t help us. / Like using a walkie-talkie with no sound.
In Other Words: It failed. / It wasn’t helpful.
59. Like others getting head starts every time
Meaning: Others always have an advantage
Within a Sentence: They got a head start every round. / We never had a chance.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / We were behind from the start.
60. As right as changing the finish line after the race
Meaning: Changing the rules after something is done
Within a Sentence: We reached the goal, but they said it moved. / That felt so unfair.
In Other Words: They tricked us. / The rules weren’t clear.
Similes for Injustice – True/False Quiz
Instructions: Read each sentence. Decide if it describes a simile that shows injustice. Write True or False.
- “It felt like being skipped in line” means someone got treated unfairly.
- “As even as a rainbow” shows something is clearly unfair.
- “Like being blamed for a mess you didn’t make” means you got in trouble for no reason.
- “As fair as a flashlight with no batteries” means something works really well.
- “It felt like being the only one not picked” means you were treated the same as others.
- “Like trying to win with your hands tied” means you had no real chance.
- “As fair as giving candy to everyone” means only one person got candy.
- “Like a teacher only smiling at certain kids” means everyone is treated the same.
- “As fair as a pizza with one slice for you and five for others” shows unfair treatment.
- “Like being told your turn doesn’t count” means your part was ignored.
- “As helpful as a broken walkie-talkie” means something didn’t work as it should.
- “Like being shut out of a game you helped plan” means you were included from the start.
- “As fair as being told you’re too late when the line just opened” shows unfair timing.
- “Like others getting head starts every time” means all sides got equal chances.
- “Like being graded for someone else’s work” means someone else’s mistake became your problem.
Answers
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- 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
Injustice is something that doesn’t feel right. When we use similes, we can show that unfair feeling in a stronger way. Instead of just saying “That’s not fair,” you can say, “It felt like being skipped in line” or “Like trying to win with your hands tied.”
These similes help others understand how something made you feel. They make your words clearer and more interesting. Keep using similes to share your feelings. It can help you speak and write in a way people really understand.
