Similes are like secret doors in language—they compare one thing to another using the words “like” or “as.” They make writing more colorful and help us see emotions in a clearer way.
Pride and jealousy are two powerful feelings that shape human behavior. Pride can be uplifting, while jealousy often brings tension.
Writers, poets, and even everyday storytellers use similes to paint these emotions vividly. If you want to make your words more striking and memorable, this list of similes will help.
Read on to discover 38 creative comparisons that you can use in your essays, poems, stories, or even casual conversations.
What is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as” to create a strong mental image. Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Full List of 38 Similes for Pride and Jealousy
1. Proud as a peacock
Meaning: Extremely proud or showing off.
Definition: Someone who behaves in a flashy or boastful way.
- She walked into the hall proud as a peacock after winning the award.
- He strutted around the office proud as a peacock with his promotion.
2. Jealous as a green-eyed monster
Meaning: Deeply jealous.
Definition: Someone filled with envy.
- His jealousy grew jealous as a green-eyed monster when he saw her new car.
- She turned jealous as a green-eyed monster watching her friend’s success.
3. Pride like a lion’s roar
Meaning: Bold and unshakable confidence.
Definition: Pride that demands attention.
- His speech carried pride like a lion’s roar.
- She defended her team with pride like a lion’s roar.
4. Jealous as a shadow
Meaning: Always lurking around silently.
Definition: Jealousy that never leaves.
- His envy followed him jealous as a shadow.
- She was jealous as a shadow, always comparing herself.
5. Proud as a king on his throne
Meaning: Feeling important and powerful.
Definition: Showing dignity and superiority.
- He sat proud as a king on his throne after solving the problem.
- She looked proud as a king on his throne when her plan succeeded.
6. Jealous as fire in dry grass
Meaning: Spreads quickly and fiercely.
Definition: Jealousy that grows uncontrollably.
- His heart burned jealous as fire in dry grass.
- Her mind grew jealous as fire in dry grass when she saw them together.
7. Pride like a soaring eagle
Meaning: High, unshakable confidence.
Definition: Pride that rises above everything.
- He stood tall with pride like a soaring eagle.
- She faced the challenge with pride like a soaring eagle.
8. Jealous as a thorn in the flesh
Meaning: Constant annoyance.
Definition: Persistent envy that causes discomfort.
- His jealousy was jealous as a thorn in the flesh.
- She lived jealous as a thorn in the flesh toward her sister.
9. Proud as a new parent
Meaning: Overwhelming happiness and pride.
Definition: Bursting with achievement.
- He was proud as a new parent showing his project.
- She felt proud as a new parent after publishing her book.
10. Jealous as a cat watching another eat
Meaning: Possessive and envious.
Definition: Wanting what someone else has.
- She stared jealous as a cat watching another eat.
- His heart turned jealous as a cat watching another eat.
11. Pride like sunshine after rain
Meaning: Warm and refreshing pride.
Definition: Happiness that follows hard work.
- Her smile shone pride like sunshine after rain.
- The community celebrated pride like sunshine after rain.
12. Jealous as a wolf over its prey
Meaning: Fiercely protective and envious.
Definition: Wanting control over something.
- He guarded his success jealous as a wolf over its prey.
- She watched him jealous as a wolf over its prey.
13. Proud as a soldier in uniform
Meaning: Filled with dignity and respect.
Definition: Pride in achievement and belonging.
- He marched proud as a soldier in uniform.
- She stood proud as a soldier in uniform on graduation day.
14. Jealous as rust on iron
Meaning: Slowly eats away at someone.
Definition: Destructive and lingering envy.
- His heart grew jealous as rust on iron.
- She was jealous as rust on iron over her friend’s success.
15. Pride like a mountain peak
Meaning: Strong, unmovable pride.
Definition: Firm confidence.
- His words stood pride like a mountain peak.
- She carried herself with pride like a mountain peak.
16. Jealous as a storm cloud
Meaning: Dark and threatening.
Definition: Jealousy that ruins moods.
- His jealousy hung jealous as a storm cloud.
- She entered the room jealous as a storm cloud.
17. Proud as a chef tasting his dish
Meaning: Pride in personal creation.
Definition: Satisfaction with achievement.
- He stood proud as a chef tasting his dish.
- She was proud as a chef tasting her artwork.
18. Jealous as a dog guarding a bone
Meaning: Overprotective and envious.
Definition: Wanting to keep something from others.
- He became jealous as a dog guarding a bone.
- She acted jealous as a dog guarding a bone around her friend.
19. Pride like a glowing fire
Meaning: Warm and strong.
Definition: Passionate confidence.
- His pride burned pride like a glowing fire.
- She stood pride like a glowing fire at the ceremony.
20. Jealous as smoke in the eyes
Meaning: Irritating and uncomfortable.
Definition: Jealousy that hurts.
- His jealousy was jealous as smoke in the eyes.
- She felt jealous as smoke in the eyes when ignored.
21. Proud as a gardener seeing flowers bloom
Meaning: Pride from nurturing success.
Definition: Joy in growth and results.
- He was proud as a gardener seeing flowers bloom.
- She looked proud as a gardener seeing flowers bloom.
22. Jealous as a mirror cracked in two
Meaning: Broken by comparison.
Definition: Envy that distorts reality.
- He lived jealous as a mirror cracked in two.
- She saw the world jealous as a mirror cracked in two.
23. Pride like music in the air
Meaning: Joyful and uplifting.
Definition: Pride that brings harmony.
- His words carried pride like music in the air.
- She moved pride like music in the air.
24. Jealous as ivy on a wall
Meaning: Clings tightly.
Definition: Jealousy that doesn’t let go.
- His jealousy spread jealous as ivy on a wall.
- She was jealous as ivy on a wall toward her friend’s life.
25. Proud as a teacher on graduation day
Meaning: Pride in others’ success.
Definition: Joy from guiding others.
- She stood proud as a teacher on graduation day.
- He was proud as a teacher on graduation day watching his students.
26. Jealous as a snake in tall grass
Meaning: Hidden but dangerous.
Definition: Silent but destructive jealousy.
- He slithered jealous as a snake in tall grass.
- She acted jealous as a snake in tall grass.
27. Pride like a lighthouse beam
Meaning: Clear and guiding.
Definition: Pride that inspires others.
- His presence shone pride like a lighthouse beam.
- She carried pride like a lighthouse beam in her speech.
28. Jealous as frost on a flower
Meaning: Harsh and damaging.
Definition: Envy that destroys beauty.
- His jealousy came jealous as frost on a flower.
- She grew jealous as frost on a flower when left behind.
29. Proud as a runner crossing the finish line
Meaning: Triumph and satisfaction.
Definition: Pride in achievement.
- He felt proud as a runner crossing the finish line.
- She smiled proud as a runner crossing the finish line.
30. Jealous as chains on freedom
Meaning: Restrictive and painful.
Definition: Envy that holds someone back.
- His spirit was jealous as chains on freedom.
- She stayed jealous as chains on freedom toward others’ joy.
31. Pride like a diamond’s shine
Meaning: Sparkling and unbreakable.
Definition: Clear, strong pride.
- His talent gleamed pride like a diamond’s shine.
- She stood pride like a diamond’s shine in the spotlight.
32. Jealous as a locked door
Meaning: Closed off and limiting.
Definition: Jealousy that blocks happiness.
- His heart was jealous as a locked door.
- She remained jealous as a locked door to opportunities.
33. Proud as an artist at an exhibition
Meaning: Pride in creativity.
Definition: Joy in showcasing talent.
- He stood proud as an artist at an exhibition.
- She felt proud as an artist at an exhibition.
34. Jealous as weeds in a garden
Meaning: Spreads and ruins beauty.
Definition: Envy that grows without control.
- His thoughts were jealous as weeds in a garden.
- She acted jealous as weeds in a garden around her friends.
35. Pride like a rising sun
Meaning: Bright and promising.
Definition: Pride that brings hope.
- His smile shone pride like a rising sun.
- She lived pride like a rising sun.
36. Jealous as bitter medicine
Meaning: Hard to swallow.
Definition: Painful jealousy.
- His heart was jealous as bitter medicine.
- She felt jealous as bitter medicine after hearing the news.
37. Proud as a craftsman with his tools
Meaning: Pride in skill and work.
Definition: Joy in mastery.
- He worked proud as a craftsman with his tools.
- She lived proud as a craftsman with her tools.
38. Jealous as a shadow at sunset
Meaning: Fades but always follows.
Definition: Quiet but persistent jealousy.
- His feelings stayed jealous as a shadow at sunset.
- She walked jealous as a shadow at sunset beside her friend.
How to Use These Similes in Creative Writing
Similes are powerful tools to make emotions shine in your writing. Here’s how you can use them:
- In poems: Add depth to emotions like pride or jealousy with vivid comparisons.
- In stories: Make characters more relatable by showing how they feel through similes.
- In songs: Use similes to make lyrics memorable and emotional.
- In essays: Enrich your descriptions and make your writing stand out.
FAQs
What are similes for pride?
Similes for pride compare confidence to strong, beautiful, or dignified things like a peacock, an eagle, or the rising sun.
What are similes for jealousy?
Similes for jealousy compare envy to destructive or controlling things like rust, weeds, or storm clouds.
Why are similes important in writing?
They help readers picture emotions and scenes more clearly, making writing more engaging.
Can I use similes in academic writing?
Yes, but use them carefully. They are best for essays, creative works, and descriptive writing rather than scientific papers.
How do I make my own similes?
Think about the feeling you want to describe, then compare it to something vivid in nature, objects, or daily life.
Conclusion
Pride and jealousy are emotions that shape human experiences, and similes make them easier to understand. From being “proud as a peacock” to “jealous as weeds in a garden,” these comparisons can make your writing shine. Use them in poems, stories, or conversations to add color and clarity.
