Crying is a universal human expression—sometimes joyful, sometimes heartbreaking. Writers and poets have always searched for the perfect way to describe tears, and one of the most powerful tools is the simile.
A simile is a simple comparison that brings emotions to life by linking them with vivid images. In this article, we’ll explore 32 of the best similes for crying in 2025, each with meanings and examples to inspire your writing.
Whether you’re a student, poet, novelist, or songwriter, these similes will help you describe emotions more deeply and beautifully.
What is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares one thing to another using words like “as” or “like.” For example, “She cried like a child who lost their toy.” It makes language more vivid and emotional.
32 Best Similes for Crying
1. Crying like a baby
- Meaning: Showing raw, uncontrollable sadness.
- Definition: Comparing intense crying to the innocence of a baby.
- Examples:
- She cried like a baby when she heard the sad news.
- The movie ending made him cry like a baby.
2. Crying like rain falling from the sky
- Meaning: Tears flowing endlessly and naturally.
- Definition: Compares tears to falling raindrops.
- Examples:
- She cried like rain falling from the sky after the breakup.
- His eyes poured like rain on a stormy night.
3. Crying like a broken heart sings
- Meaning: Deep, painful emotional release.
- Definition: Compares tears to the sad song of heartbreak.
- Examples:
- She cried like a broken heart sings in silence.
- His tears sounded like the melody of sorrow.
4. Crying like a storm in the night
- Meaning: Loud and overwhelming sadness.
- Definition: Compares sobbing to the wild energy of a storm.
- Examples:
- She cried like a storm that wouldn’t calm.
- His voice cracked like thunder in his sobs.
5. Crying like shattered glass
- Meaning: Fragile and sharp pain.
- Definition: Compares broken tears to broken glass.
- Examples:
- She cried like shattered glass on the floor.
- His sobs felt as sharp as broken pieces.
6. Crying like a candle melting
- Meaning: Quiet, slow, and soft tears.
- Definition: Compares melting wax to slow-falling tears.
- Examples:
- She cried like a candle melting in the dark.
- His eyes dripped like hot wax on a table.
7. Crying like a lost child
- Meaning: Desperate and helpless sadness.
- Definition: Compares crying to a child searching for safety.
- Examples:
- She cried like a lost child in the crowd.
- His heart ached as he cried like a child searching for home.
8. Crying like waves crashing on rocks
- Meaning: Relentless, loud, and forceful tears.
- Definition: Compares sobbing to the strength of ocean waves.
- Examples:
- She cried like waves smashing the shore.
- His tears came in waves, one after another.
9. Crying like a violin playing a sad tune
- Meaning: Emotional and musical sorrow.
- Definition: Compares sobbing sounds to sad violin notes.
- Examples:
- She cried like a violin in a lonely song.
- His voice trembled like violin strings in grief.
10. Crying like a faucet left open
- Meaning: Continuous and unstoppable tears.
- Definition: Compares flowing tears to running water.
- Examples:
- She cried like a faucet left on all night.
- His eyes poured like endless running taps.
11. Crying like thunder in the distance
- Meaning: Low, heavy sobs that echo.
- Definition: Compares distant thunder to muffled crying.
- Examples:
- She cried like thunder rolling across the hills.
- His sobs echoed like storms far away.
12. Crying like autumn leaves falling
- Meaning: Gentle and graceful sadness.
- Definition: Compares quiet tears to falling leaves.
- Examples:
- She cried like autumn leaves drifting down.
- His tears floated like dry leaves in the wind.
13. Crying like a cracked mirror
- Meaning: Reflects brokenness inside.
- Definition: Compares tears to the shattered look of glass.
- Examples:
- She cried like a cracked mirror reflecting pain.
- His heart split as he cried into broken reflections.
14. Crying like midnight rain
- Meaning: Silent but heavy sorrow.
- Definition: Compares tears to quiet night rain.
- Examples:
- She cried like midnight rain on lonely streets.
- His tears fell softly like rain past midnight.
15. Crying like a wounded bird
- Meaning: Fragile and heartbreaking sadness.
- Definition: Compares crying to the cry of hurt birds.
- Examples:
- She cried like a wounded bird in the night.
- His sobs sounded like broken wings flapping.
16. Crying like a burning candle in the wind
- Meaning: Fading, weak, and fragile sorrow.
- Definition: Compares unsteady tears to candlelight.
- Examples:
- She cried like a candle about to die.
- His tears flickered like flames in the storm.
17. Crying like shattered dreams
- Meaning: Hopeless, defeated grief.
- Definition: Compares tears to broken ambitions.
- Examples:
- She cried like shattered dreams on the ground.
- His life crumbled as he cried like broken hopes.
18. Crying like rivers overflow
- Meaning: Tears flowing uncontrollably.
- Definition: Compares heavy crying to flooding rivers.
- Examples:
- She cried like rivers overflowing their banks.
- His face flooded like a storm-filled river.
19. Crying like a sky full of clouds
- Meaning: Heavy tears waiting to fall.
- Definition: Compares crying to the weight of clouds.
- Examples:
- She cried like a sky burdened with clouds.
- His emotions burst like stormy skies.
20. Crying like ashes in the wind
- Meaning: Fading grief, scattered emotions.
- Definition: Compares tears to drifting ashes.
- Examples:
- She cried like ashes scattering in silence.
- His tears vanished like smoke in the air.
21. Crying like the ocean tide
- Meaning: Constant rise and fall of emotion.
- Definition: Compares tears to the rhythm of tides.
- Examples:
- She cried like the ocean pulling back and forth.
- His sobs came like tides, strong then quiet.
22. Crying like winter snow melting
- Meaning: Soft and gentle sorrow.
- Definition: Compares melting snow to falling tears.
- Examples:
- She cried like snow melting under the sun.
- His tears dripped like ice turning to water.
23. Crying like broken strings of a guitar
- Meaning: Harsh, sudden grief.
- Definition: Compares crying to snapping sounds.
- Examples:
- She cried like guitar strings breaking mid-song.
- His sobs cracked like broken chords.
24. Crying like a sky torn apart by lightning
- Meaning: Violent, shocking sadness.
- Definition: Compares intense crying to lightning splits.
- Examples:
- She cried like lightning tearing the sky.
- His sobs struck like bright flashes of pain.
25. Crying like petals dropping from a flower
- Meaning: Quiet, graceful grief.
- Definition: Compares tears to falling petals.
- Examples:
- She cried like petals falling on the ground.
- His tears dropped like wilted roses.
26. Crying like a forgotten song
- Meaning: Lonely and nostalgic sadness.
- Definition: Compares tears to abandoned music.
- Examples:
- She cried like a forgotten melody.
- His sobs faded like songs no one remembers.
27. Crying like a house with broken walls
- Meaning: Vulnerable and exposed grief.
- Definition: Compares crying to weakness in a home.
- Examples:
- She cried like a house left in ruins.
- His tears leaked like cracks in old walls.
28. Crying like a candle in complete silence
- Meaning: Quiet, lonely sorrow.
- Definition: Compares tears to silent burning wax.
- Examples:
- She cried like a candle in the still night.
- His sobs were silent, like steady flames.
29. Crying like rain on dry earth
- Meaning: Necessary and relieving tears.
- Definition: Compares crying to healing rain.
- Examples:
- She cried like rain blessing the desert.
- His tears soaked him like thirsty soil.
30. Crying like shadows disappearing at dawn
- Meaning: Pain fading with time.
- Definition: Compares grief to vanishing shadows.
- Examples:
- She cried like shadows melting in sunlight.
- His sorrow faded like night turning into day.
31. Crying like fire losing its flame
- Meaning: Exhausted sadness, fading energy.
- Definition: Compares sobs to dying fire.
- Examples:
- She cried like fire dying out in ashes.
- His sobs weakened like smoke vanishing.
32. Crying like a sky with no stars
- Meaning: Hopeless, empty grief.
- Definition: Compares sorrow to a starless night.
- Examples:
- She cried like a night stripped of stars.
- His heart sank like a dark, empty sky.
How to Use These Similes in Writing
Similes are powerful tools in creative writing. Here’s how you can use them:
- In poems: Add emotional depth by comparing tears to nature or objects.
- In stories: Describe characters’ emotions vividly for readers to feel them.
- In songs: Create lyrical and memorable lines that touch listeners’ hearts.
- In essays: Use sparingly to enrich descriptive passages.
Tip: Always choose a simile that matches the mood—soft, heavy, or dramatic.
FAQs
What is the best simile for crying?
The best simile depends on context. Common ones include “crying like a baby” or “crying like rain falling from the sky.”
Why do writers use similes for crying?
Similes make emotions more vivid and relatable, helping readers imagine the depth of sadness.
Can I use similes in academic writing?
Yes, but only when writing creatively. In formal academic writing, avoid emotional similes.
Are similes and metaphors the same?
No. A simile uses “like” or “as” (e.g., “cried like rain”), while a metaphor states directly (e.g., “Her tears were rain.”).
Can similes for crying be positive?
Yes, sometimes crying is joyful, like “crying like rain that refreshes the earth.”
Conclusion
Similes bring emotions to life by painting vivid pictures of crying—whether soft like melting snow or powerful like crashing waves. Use these 32 similes for crying in your writing to capture emotions with beauty and depth. Let your words make readers feel every tear.
