Suffering is something everyone faces at some point. Whether it’s physical pain or emotional struggles, it’s a part of life that can be hard to explain. To make it easier to talk about suffering, we often use similes. Similes are phrases that compare something to another thing using words like “like” or “as.” For example, saying “as cold as ice” can help describe how something feels or how someone is reacting. These comparisons make it easier to express complex feelings.
Similes for suffering are helpful because they paint pictures in our minds. Instead of saying someone feels bad, we can say they feel “like a bird with a broken wing.” This kind of expression lets others understand the depth of pain or hardship. Let’s dive into some common similes for suffering that can make our conversations about tough times more relatable.
Similes for Suffering
1. As heavy as a stone
Meaning: Something that is very difficult to bear or endure.
Example: The sadness in her heart was as heavy as a stone when her dog passed away. / Carrying the big box felt as heavy as a stone.
Put Differently: His sadness felt like carrying a huge rock. / That box was so heavy, it felt like it weighed a ton.
2. Like a thorn in the side
Meaning: Something that causes constant discomfort or pain.
Example: The loud noise was like a thorn in my side all day. / The little argument with my friend felt like a thorn in the side.
Put Differently: The sound hurt my ears like a tiny needle poking. / That fight kept bothering me, like a sharp pain.
3. As cold as ice
Meaning: Feeling emotionally distant or very cold physically.
Example: She felt as cold as ice when her best friend didn’t invite her to the party. / The wind was as cold as ice during the snowstorm.
Put Differently: She felt so hurt, like she had no warmth inside. / The air was freezing, like the coldest thing you can imagine.
4. Like a weight on my chest
Meaning: Feeling a lot of pressure or emotional burden.
Example: After the argument, it felt like a weight on my chest. / The bad news made me feel like there was a heavy weight on my chest.
Put Differently: It was hard to breathe, like something was pushing down on me. / The sadness made it hard to move, like something was holding me in place.
5. As tired as a dog
Meaning: Feeling very exhausted.
Example: After playing soccer all day, I was as tired as a dog. / She was as tired as a dog after running the marathon.
Put Differently: I couldn’t keep my eyes open, like I had no energy left. / She just wanted to sleep, like a dog after a long walk.
6. Like walking through mud
Meaning: Moving slowly or feeling stuck because of a problem.
Example: It felt like walking through mud when I had to do my homework after a long day. / His brain felt like walking through mud while trying to answer the tricky question.
Put Differently: Everything felt slow and hard, like I was stuck in thick mud. / Trying to think was hard, like walking through sticky goo.
7. As blind as a bat
Meaning: Not understanding something clearly or being unable to see.
Example: I was as blind as a bat during the test because I didn’t study. / He was as blind as a bat in the dark room.
Put Differently: I had no idea what was happening, like not seeing anything. / It was so dark, I couldn’t see anything at all, just like a bat at night.
8. Like a fire burning inside
Meaning: Feeling intense emotional pain or anger.
Example: The anger inside him was like a fire burning, and he couldn’t calm down. / She felt like a fire was burning inside after hearing the bad news.
Put Differently: The anger made him feel so hot, like flames were inside him. / The sadness felt so strong, like burning inside.
9. As slow as a snail
Meaning: Moving or progressing very slowly.
Example: The line at the ice cream shop was as slow as a snail. / The day felt as slow as a snail because I couldn’t wait for the weekend.
Put Differently: It took forever, like a snail crawling along. / Time felt like it was moving so slowly, like a snail creeping.
10. Like a cloud in the sky
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed or lost in thoughts.
Example: After the argument, he felt like a cloud in the sky, drifting with no direction. / She felt like a cloud in the sky when her friends didn’t include her.
Put Differently: He felt lost, like floating away in the clouds. / It was hard to think, like being lost in a fog.
11. As sharp as a needle
Meaning: Feeling a sudden, intense pain.
Example: The pain in his leg was as sharp as a needle after he fell. / Her headache was as sharp as a needle, and it wouldn’t go away.
Put Differently: The pain felt like being pricked by something really sharp. / The hurt in my head felt like a tiny, sharp poke.
12. Like a bomb waiting to explode
Meaning: Feeling like you’re about to lose control because of anger or stress.
Example: His anger was like a bomb waiting to explode after hearing the bad news. / She felt like a bomb waiting to explode when everyone kept asking her questions.
Put Differently: He was about to burst with anger, like a bomb ready to go off. / She felt ready to explode from the pressure.
13. As quiet as a mouse
Meaning: Feeling silent or very shy.
Example: She was as quiet as a mouse during the meeting. / After the argument, he was as quiet as a mouse, not saying a word.
Put Differently: She was so quiet, it was like she wasn’t even there. / He stayed silent, like a mouse hiding from noise.
14. Like a shadow in the night
Meaning: Feeling unnoticed or invisible.
Example: He felt like a shadow in the night, nobody noticing his effort. / She felt like a shadow in the night when everyone ignored her.
Put Differently: It was like no one could see him, like a shadow blending in. / She felt invisible, like a shadow hiding in the dark.
15. As lost as a puppy
Meaning: Feeling confused or unsure of what to do.
Example: She was as lost as a puppy when she couldn’t find her way home. / He felt as lost as a puppy on his first day of school.
Put Differently: She had no idea what to do, like a puppy searching for its owner. / He felt unsure, like a puppy in a strange place.
16. Like a leaf in the wind
Meaning: Feeling tossed around by circumstances.
Example: His emotions were like a leaf in the wind, going up and down. / She felt like a leaf in the wind, unsure of where she was headed.
Put Differently: He couldn’t control his feelings, like a leaf blowing wherever the wind took it. / She felt helpless, like a leaf in a strong breeze.
17. As broken as a doll
Meaning: Feeling emotionally shattered or devastated.
Example: She felt as broken as a doll after hearing the sad news. / After the accident, he felt as broken as a doll, unable to move.
Put Differently: She felt completely shattered inside, like a doll that had fallen apart. / The accident left him feeling helpless, like a toy with missing pieces.
18. Like a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Something is hard to find or solve.
Example: Finding his missing keys was like a needle in a haystack. / It felt like trying to find a needle in a haystack when she searched for her book.
Put Differently: It was so hard to find, like searching for a tiny needle in a big pile. / Looking for that one answer felt impossible, like looking for a needle in a stack of hay.
19. As slow as molasses
Meaning: Moving or happening very slowly.
Example: The teacher’s explanation was as slow as molasses. / The process of getting the tickets was as slow as molasses.
Put Differently: Everything moved so slowly, like molasses dripping from a jar. / The wait felt endless, like slow molasses pouring.
20. Like a brick wall
Meaning: Something that stops you completely or is hard to break through.
Example: His sadness was like a brick wall, and nothing could make him feel better. / The problem felt like a brick wall that he couldn’t overcome.
Put Differently: He felt stuck, like there was a big brick wall in front of him. / The challenge was hard to beat, like a strong brick wall.
21. As dark as a cave
Meaning: Feeling hopeless or emotionally drained.
Example: She felt as dark as a cave after hearing the bad news. / His thoughts were as dark as a cave when he was left alone.
Put Differently: She couldn’t see any light, like being inside a cave. / His mind was full of negative thoughts, like the darkest cave.
22. Like a snake in the grass
Meaning: Feeling betrayed or tricked.
Example: It felt like a snake in the grass when I found out he lied. / She felt betrayed, like a snake in the grass waiting to strike.
Put Differently: It was like a hidden threat, just waiting to hurt me. / The surprise made her feel deceived, like a snake waiting to attack.
23. As painful as a burn
Meaning: Feeling intense emotional or physical pain.
Example: The breakup was as painful as a burn on my skin. / The cut on his arm felt as painful as a burn.
Put Differently: The pain inside was like a sharp burn. / It hurt so much, like touching something really hot.
24. Like a boat without a paddle
Meaning: Feeling lost or stuck with no way to move forward.
Example: After the argument, I felt like a boat without a paddle, stuck in confusion. / Without his homework, he felt like a boat without a paddle.
Put Differently: He had no way out, like a boat floating with no way to steer. / She was stuck and helpless, like a boat drifting aimlessly.
25. As empty as a drum
Meaning: Feeling completely empty or hollow inside.
Example: After hearing the bad news, I felt as empty as a drum. / The house felt as empty as a drum without anyone home.
Put Differently: I felt hollow inside, like a drum with no sound. / It was like the world was empty, like an old drum.
26. Like a fire in the heart
Meaning: Feeling intense passion or anger.
Example: Her anger was like a fire in her heart that burned brighter with every word. / The desire to win felt like a fire in his heart.
Put Differently: He couldn’t stop thinking about it, like a fire that couldn’t be put out. / She felt hot with emotion, like a fire in her chest.
27. As numb as a statue
Meaning: Feeling emotionally or physically numb.
Example: He felt as numb as a statue after the terrible news. / After getting hurt, my legs felt as numb as a statue.
Put Differently: He couldn’t feel anything, like a statue that never moves. / My body was stiff, like it had turned into stone.
28. Like a broken record
Meaning: Repeating the same problem or pain over and over.
Example: She kept talking about the same problem, like a broken record. / Every day felt like a broken record, the same pain repeating.
Put Differently: It was like I couldn’t escape the same thoughts, like a song stuck on repeat. / It kept happening over and over, like a broken music player.
29. As deep as the ocean
Meaning: Feeling deep emotional pain.
Example: Her sadness was as deep as the ocean when she lost her job. / The pain of saying goodbye felt as deep as the ocean.
Put Differently: It felt like the sadness went on forever, like the endless sea. / The loss was so strong, it felt like sinking into deep water.
30. Like a fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling out of place or uncomfortable.
Example: He felt like a fish out of water at the new school. / She felt like a fish out of water at the party, not knowing anyone.
Put Differently: He didn’t belong, like a fish that can’t breathe out of the water. / She felt awkward, like a fish who forgot how to swim.
31. As slow as a turtle
Meaning: Moving very slowly or taking a long time.
Example: The line at the store was as slow as a turtle. / The project was as slow as a turtle, and I thought it would never end.
Put Differently: Everything felt so slow, like a turtle dragging its feet. / The process was taking forever, like a turtle creeping by.
32. Like a cloud over my head
Meaning: Feeling sad, depressed, or down.
Example: The bad news hung like a cloud over my head all day. / She felt like a cloud was over her head, blocking out the sun.
Put Differently: He felt sad, like a dark cloud blocking his happiness. / It was like the whole world was gloomy, like a cloud was covering me.
33. As tangled as a ball of yarn
Meaning: Feeling confused or overwhelmed.
Example: His thoughts were as tangled as a ball of yarn after the test. / She felt as tangled as a ball of yarn trying to solve the puzzle.
Put Differently: His mind was all mixed up, like strings tied in a knot. / Everything seemed impossible, like trying to untangle a big knot.
34. Like a broken mirror
Meaning: Feeling shattered or emotionally fractured.
Example: After the argument, she felt like a broken mirror, with pieces of her heart scattered. / The news left him feeling like a broken mirror, all cracked.
Put Differently: It was like his heart was shattered into pieces, like a mirror that fell. / She couldn’t put herself together, like a mirror that had been shattered.
35. As heavy as a storm cloud
Meaning: Feeling emotionally burdened or sad.
Example: The sadness weighed on him like a storm cloud ready to rain. / Her worries felt as heavy as a storm cloud overhead.
Put Differently: The pressure felt like a cloud that could burst at any moment. / The sadness was hard to shake off, like a storm cloud hanging above me.
36. Like a heart of stone
Meaning: Feeling emotionally cold or unfeeling.
Example: After everything that happened, he felt like a heart of stone, not caring anymore. / Her heart was like a stone after the argument, not softening.
Put Differently: She couldn’t feel anything, like her heart was made of stone. / He was so cold, it was like he didn’t care at all.
37. As empty as a cave
Meaning: Feeling lonely or isolated.
Example: After the fight, she felt as empty as a cave, with no one to talk to. / The house felt as empty as a cave after everyone left.
Put Differently: The silence felt so loud, like an empty cave. / He felt alone, like being in a big, empty cave.
38. Like a train off its tracks
Meaning: Feeling like everything is going wrong or out of control.
Example: His life felt like a train off its tracks after the big change. / Everything felt like a train off its tracks after the bad news.
Put Differently: His life was chaotic, like a train speeding off the tracks. / Things were falling apart, like a train that wasn’t following the track anymore.
39. As weak as a kitten
Meaning: Feeling physically or emotionally weak.
Example: After being sick, I felt as weak as a kitten. / She was as weak as a kitten after running the marathon.
Put Differently: I could hardly stand, like a kitten too tired to play. / She was exhausted, like a kitten that could barely move.
40. Like a car without gas
Meaning: Feeling drained or out of energy.
Example: After the long day, I felt like a car without gas, with no energy left. / She felt like a car without gas after the workout.
Put Differently: It was like I had no power, like a car with no fuel. / He was running on empty, like a car that couldn’t go any further.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity: Similes for Suffering
Here are 10 simple sentences that describe feelings or situations about suffering. Rewrite each sentence using one of the similes for suffering you’ve learned. Make sure the new sentence still makes sense and sounds natural.
Sentences to Rewrite:
- I felt very sad when I couldn’t find my lost dog.
- I couldn’t move quickly because of the heavy box.
- I felt nervous and uncomfortable in front of the big crowd.
- My homework felt like it was taking forever.
- She looked really upset when she heard the bad news.
- I was so tired after the long run.
- I felt lonely when my best friend moved away.
- I was so angry when I lost the game.
- The hard test made me feel confused and stuck.
- I was so exhausted after the busy day at school.
Answer Key:
- I felt as lost as a puppy when I couldn’t find my lost dog.
- The heavy box felt as heavy as a stone, and I couldn’t move quickly.
- I felt as nervous as a fish out of water in front of the big crowd.
- My homework felt as slow as molasses, and it seemed to take forever.
- She looked as broken as a doll when she heard the bad news.
- I was as tired as a dog after the long run.
- I felt as empty as a cave when my best friend moved away.
- I was as angry as a fire burning inside when I lost the game.
- The hard test made me feel as tangled as a ball of yarn, confused and stuck.
- I was as exhausted as a boat without a paddle after the busy day at school.
Conclusion
Suffering is a part of life that we all experience. Using similes helps us express these difficult feelings in a way that others can understand. Instead of simply saying we feel sad, tired, or confused, similes give us creative ways to explain how we feel. For example, we can say we feel “as heavy as a stone” or “like a boat without a paddle” to show just how tough a moment might be.
By learning these similes, we can describe our emotions and situations more clearly, making it easier for others to relate to us. Next time you’re feeling something strong, try using a simile to share your feelings in a fun and meaningful way!
