Definition
Similes for crying are descriptive comparisons that use “like” or “as” to express sadness, tears, or emotional release through vivid imagery. These crying similes help writers show feelings clearly by linking emotions to familiar sights or sounds, making writing more powerful and relatable.
Key points:
- Uses “like” or “as”
- Builds emotional imagery
- Strengthens storytelling
Example: She cried like rain on dry earth, soft but deeply emotional.
What is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as.” It helps readers picture emotions or actions more clearly and adds depth to writing.
Key points:
- Uses “like” or “as”
- Creates mental images
- Makes language expressive
Examples:
- He ran like the wind.
- Her heart felt cold as ice.
40 Best Similes for Crying
Crying like a baby
Meaning: Loud, helpless crying.
Example: After losing his toy, he cried like a baby.
Crying like rain on dry earth
Meaning: Gentle tears after long emotional silence.
Example: She cried like rain on dry earth after hearing the truth.
Crying like a storm in the night
Meaning: Powerful emotional outburst.
Example: He cried like a storm in the night.
Crying like a wounded bird
Meaning: Weak, painful sobbing.
Example: She cried like a wounded bird in the hallway.
Crying like a faucet left open
Meaning: Tears that won’t stop.
Example: He cried like a faucet left open.
Crying like waves crashing on rocks
Meaning: Repeated waves of emotion.
Example: Her sobs came like waves crashing on rocks.
Crying like a violin playing a sad tune
Meaning: Soft, emotional crying.
Example: She cried like a violin playing a sad tune.
Crying like shattered glass
Meaning: Broken, sharp sobs.
Example: His voice cracked like shattered glass.
Crying like a candle melting
Meaning: Quiet tears flowing slowly.
Example: She cried like a candle melting.
Crying like midnight rain
Meaning: Silent sadness.
Example: He cried like midnight rain.
Crying like broken guitar strings
Meaning: Painful emotional sounds.
Example: Her sobs sounded like broken guitar strings.
Crying like rivers overflowing
Meaning: Heavy nonstop tears.
Example: She cried like rivers overflowing.
Crying like autumn leaves falling
Meaning: Soft emotional release.
Example: Tears fell like autumn leaves.
Crying like a lost child
Meaning: Fearful and desperate crying.
Example: He cried like a lost child.
Crying like thunder far away
Meaning: Deep emotional pain.
Example: His cries echoed like thunder far away.
Crying like ashes in the wind
Meaning: Empty sadness.
Example: She cried like ashes in the wind.
Crying like petals dropping from a flower
Meaning: Gentle emotional release.
Example: Tears fell like petals.
Crying like winter snow melting
Meaning: Slow quiet tears.
Example: She cried like winter snow melting.
Crying like shadows fading at dawn
Meaning: Sadness slowly disappearing.
Example: His tears faded like shadows at dawn.
Crying like fire losing its flame
Meaning: Emotional exhaustion.
Example: She cried like fire losing its flame.
Crying like a sky with no stars
Meaning: Hopeless sadness.
Example: His eyes looked like a sky with no stars.
Crying like rain against glass
Meaning: Soft repetitive tears.
Example: Tears tapped like rain against glass.
Crying like a forgotten song
Meaning: Quiet emotional pain.
Example: She cried like a forgotten song.
Crying like a cracked mirror
Meaning: Broken emotional state.
Example: His sobs reflected like a cracked mirror.
Crying like ocean tides pulling back
Meaning: Emotional waves fading.
Example: Her tears pulled back like ocean tides.
Crying like a house with broken walls
Meaning: Feeling emotionally exposed.
Example: He cried like a house with broken walls.
Crying like clouds heavy with sorrow
Meaning: Tears filled with grief.
Example: She cried like clouds heavy with sorrow.
Crying like sand slipping through fingers
Meaning: Sadness you can’t hold.
Example: Tears slipped away like sand.
Crying like a candle in silence
Meaning: Quiet private crying.
Example: She cried like a candle in silence.
Crying like echoes in an empty room
Meaning: Lonely sobbing.
Example: His cries echoed in the room.
Crying like fallen feathers
Meaning: Soft fragile tears.
Example: Tears fell like feathers.
Crying like a sky torn by lightning
Meaning: Sudden emotional breakdown.
Example: She cried like a sky torn by lightning.
Crying like soft rain on rooftops
Meaning: Gentle continuous crying.
Example: Tears sounded like rain on rooftops.
Crying like paper tearing slowly
Meaning: Emotional pain building.
Example: His heart felt like paper tearing slowly.
Crying like bells ringing far away
Meaning: Distant sadness.
Example: Her sobs rang like far bells.
Crying like drifting smoke
Meaning: Quiet fading tears.
Example: Tears drifted like smoke.
Crying like quiet waterfalls
Meaning: Steady gentle crying.
Example: She cried like quiet waterfalls.
Crying like broken dreams
Meaning: Deep disappointment.
Example: He cried over broken dreams.
Crying like fading footprints
Meaning: Sadness slowly disappearing.
Example: Her tears faded like footprints.
Crying like moonlight on water
Meaning: Soft reflective emotion.
Example: She cried like moonlight on water.
Table of Comparison
| Soft Crying | Intense Crying |
| rain on glass | storm in the night |
| candle melting | shattered glass |
| petals falling | rivers overflowing |
How to Use These Similes in Writing
- Match simile to emotional tone
- Avoid overusing
- Choose imagery that fits your scene
Example: Use gentle similes in poems, strong ones in dramatic scenes.
Common Mistakes / Confusions
- Mixing images
- Overloading paragraphs
- Using forced comparisons
Example: Don’t combine fire and snow in one simile.
Linguistic Insight & Expert Opinion
Similes strengthen emotional writing by helping readers visualize feelings. Experts agree imagery builds stronger reader connection and memorability.
Self Assessment Section
- Pick a soft simile
- Pick an intense simile
- Create your own
- Match simile to scene
- Avoid mixed imagery
Answer Key:
1 rain on glass
2 storm in the night
3 student-created
4 context-based
5 avoid confusion
Final Conclusion
Similes for crying give writers a powerful way to express emotion through vivid comparison. By using “like” or “as,” you can turn simple tears into meaningful images that connect deeply with readers. Whether you choose gentle phrases like candle melting or intense ones like storm in the night, the right simile adds life to your writing. Remember to match emotional tone, avoid overuse, and keep imagery consistent. With practice, crying similes will become a natural part of your storytelling toolkit. Once you understand how they work, you’ll feel more confident describing sadness, loss, or relief in creative ways. Keep experimenting, trust your voice, and let your words carry emotion clearly and beautifully.
FAQs
What are similes for crying?
Similes for crying compare tears or sadness to familiar images using “like” or “as,” helping writers express emotion clearly.
What is the best simile for crying?
There’s no single best one. Choose based on tone—soft rain for gentle sadness, storms for intense emotion.
Why do writers use similes for crying?
They help readers visualize feelings and create stronger emotional impact.
Can similes be used in formal writing?
Yes, but sparingly. Choose subtle imagery in academic or professional texts.
Are similes and metaphors the same?
No. Similes use “like” or “as.” Metaphors don’t.
Can crying similes be positive?
Yes. Some express relief or healing, not just sadness.
How do I create my own similes?
Observe emotions, pick an image, connect them using “like” or “as.”
Are similes good for storytelling?
Absolutely. They deepen emotional scenes.
Do similes help emotional writing?
Yes, they make feelings clearer and more memorable.
How many similes should I use in one paragraph?
One is usually enough. Too many can overwhelm readers.
Daniel Brooks is an English educator with a passion for explaining similes and word comparisons in plain language. He covers topics like versus meanings, correct usage, and figurative language to help writers avoid common mistakes and improve clarity in everyday writing.
