Similes are creative comparisons that make our language more vivid and expressive. They use the words “like” or “as” to draw connections between two things.
When it comes to describing something frightening, similes can paint a chilling picture in the reader’s mind. Whether you’re a writer, student, or just someone who loves words, exploring similes for “
scary” will sharpen your storytelling. Below is a complete list of powerful similes you can use in 2025 to bring your writing to life.
What is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares one thing to another using “like” or “as.” It makes descriptions clearer and more engaging, especially when explaining emotions such as fear.
34 Similes for Scary
1. As scary as a haunted house at midnight
- Meaning: Extremely frightening, like a dark haunted house.
- Definition: A simile that compares fear to the classic image of a haunted house.
- Examples:
- The silence was as scary as a haunted house at midnight.
- Walking into the basement felt as scary as a haunted house at midnight.
2. As scary as a sudden scream in the dark
- Meaning: Terrifying because it comes unexpectedly.
- Definition: Compares fear to a startling scream.
- Examples:
- The noise was as scary as a sudden scream in the dark.
- Her nightmare felt as scary as a sudden scream in the dark.
3. As scary as a monster under the bed
- Meaning: Frightening in a childlike yet universal way.
- Definition: A simile that links fear to childhood imagination.
- Examples:
- The unknown was as scary as a monster under the bed.
- His expression was as scary as a monster under the bed.
4. As scary as walking alone in the woods
- Meaning: Fearful due to isolation and silence.
- Definition: Compares fear to loneliness in a creepy place.
- Examples:
- The silence was as scary as walking alone in the woods.
- The empty street was as scary as walking alone in the woods.
5. As scary as a ghostly whisper
- Meaning: Unsettling and eerie.
- Definition: Compares fear to the sound of whispers in darkness.
- Examples:
- The sound was as scary as a ghostly whisper.
- The memory was as scary as a ghostly whisper in her ear.
6. As scary as a nightmare come true
- Meaning: Horrifying in reality.
- Definition: A simile that compares fear to living a nightmare.
- Examples:
- The accident was as scary as a nightmare come true.
- His vision was as scary as a nightmare come true.
7. As scary as a shadow moving on its own
- Meaning: Fearful because it suggests the unknown.
- Definition: Compares fear to an unnatural shadow.
- Examples:
- The figure was as scary as a shadow moving on its own.
- The hallway felt as scary as a shadow moving on its own.
8. As scary as a thunderstorm in the night
- Meaning: Loud, unpredictable, and frightening.
- Definition: Compares fear to a violent storm.
- Examples:
- The sound was as scary as a thunderstorm in the night.
- His rage was as scary as a thunderstorm in the night.
9. As scary as blood on the floor
- Meaning: Terrifying due to its association with danger.
- Definition: Compares fear to a shocking sight.
- Examples:
- The scene was as scary as blood on the floor.
- The memory was as scary as blood on the floor.
10. As scary as eyes watching in the dark
- Meaning: Chilling, as if being hunted.
- Definition: Compares fear to unseen watchers.
- Examples:
- The forest was as scary as eyes watching in the dark.
- Her dream was as scary as eyes watching in the dark.
11. As scary as silence after a scream
- Meaning: Fearful because of eerie stillness.
- Definition: Compares fear to sudden quietness after shock.
- Examples:
- The moment was as scary as silence after a scream.
- The tension was as scary as silence after a scream.
12. As scary as a coffin opening
- Meaning: Horrifying, like something from a horror movie.
- Definition: Compares fear to the sight of death.
- Examples:
- The thought was as scary as a coffin opening.
- The dream was as scary as a coffin opening.
13. As scary as a clown in the dark
- Meaning: Creepy and unsettling.
- Definition: Compares fear to the strange appearance of clowns.
- Examples:
- The figure was as scary as a clown in the dark.
- The silence was as scary as a clown in the dark.
14. As scary as footsteps behind you
- Meaning: Fearful because it signals pursuit.
- Definition: Compares fear to being followed.
- Examples:
- The sound was as scary as footsteps behind you.
- Walking home was as scary as footsteps behind you.
15. As scary as a wolf’s howl
- Meaning: Eerie and chilling.
- Definition: Compares fear to the sound of wolves.
- Examples:
- The noise was as scary as a wolf’s howl.
- The night was as scary as a wolf’s howl.
16. As scary as a dark basement
- Meaning: Creepy and uncomfortable.
- Definition: Compares fear to hidden darkness.
- Examples:
- The room was as scary as a dark basement.
- His stare was as scary as a dark basement.
17. As scary as an abandoned hospital
- Meaning: Full of unease and dread.
- Definition: Compares fear to empty, eerie places.
- Examples:
- The building was as scary as an abandoned hospital.
- The movie scene was as scary as an abandoned hospital.
18. As scary as a broken doll
- Meaning: Creepy because of its unsettling look.
- Definition: Compares fear to eerie objects.
- Examples:
- The toy was as scary as a broken doll.
- The memory was as scary as a broken doll.
19. As scary as darkness swallowing the light
- Meaning: Overwhelming and chilling.
- Definition: Compares fear to losing safety in light.
- Examples:
- The night was as scary as darkness swallowing the light.
- His thoughts were as scary as darkness swallowing the light.
20. As scary as a stranger’s cold stare
- Meaning: Creepy and threatening.
- Definition: Compares fear to an intimidating look.
- Examples:
- His glare was as scary as a stranger’s cold stare.
- The silence was as scary as a stranger’s cold stare.
21. As scary as a snake in the grass
- Meaning: Dangerous because it’s hidden.
- Definition: Compares fear to unseen threats.
- Examples:
- The betrayal was as scary as a snake in the grass.
- The situation was as scary as a snake in the grass.
22. As scary as a child’s eerie laughter
- Meaning: Strange and unsettling.
- Definition: Compares fear to unexpected sounds.
- Examples:
- The sound was as scary as a child’s eerie laughter.
- The memory was as scary as a child’s eerie laughter.
23. As scary as a door creaking open
- Meaning: Fearful because of suspense.
- Definition: Compares fear to a slow, creepy sound.
- Examples:
- The sound was as scary as a door creaking open.
- His dream was as scary as a door creaking open.
24. As scary as a crow’s cry
- Meaning: Dark and ominous.
- Definition: Compares fear to unsettling bird calls.
- Examples:
- The noise was as scary as a crow’s cry.
- The forest was as scary as a crow’s cry.
25. As scary as a cold hand in the dark
- Meaning: Terrifying due to physical contact.
- Definition: Compares fear to unexpected touch.
- Examples:
- The feeling was as scary as a cold hand in the dark.
- The dream was as scary as a cold hand in the dark.
26. As scary as looking in a cracked mirror
- Meaning: Creepy and distorted.
- Definition: Compares fear to broken reflections.
- Examples:
- The image was as scary as looking in a cracked mirror.
- Her face looked as scary as looking in a cracked mirror.
27. As scary as a graveyard at night
- Meaning: Chilling because of associations with death.
- Definition: Compares fear to spooky locations.
- Examples:
- The path was as scary as a graveyard at night.
- His story was as scary as a graveyard at night.
28. As scary as a scream echoing in emptiness
- Meaning: Eerie and unsettling.
- Definition: Compares fear to loneliness and echoes.
- Examples:
- The moment was as scary as a scream echoing in emptiness.
- The night was as scary as a scream echoing in emptiness.
29. As scary as a dark alley
- Meaning: Creepy and unsafe.
- Definition: Compares fear to dangerous urban places.
- Examples:
- The road was as scary as a dark alley.
- His memory was as scary as a dark alley.
30. As scary as a candle blowing out
- Meaning: Fearful because of sudden darkness.
- Definition: Compares fear to losing light unexpectedly.
- Examples:
- The moment was as scary as a candle blowing out.
- Her nightmare was as scary as a candle blowing out.
31. As scary as a bat flying past your head
- Meaning: Startling and uncomfortable.
- Definition: Compares fear to sudden movement.
- Examples:
- The sound was as scary as a bat flying past your head.
- The forest was as scary as a bat flying past your head.
32. As scary as a horror movie villain
- Meaning: Terrifying and iconic.
- Definition: Compares fear to familiar horror characters.
- Examples:
- His face was as scary as a horror movie villain.
- The night was as scary as a horror movie villain.
33. As scary as silence before a storm
- Meaning: Eerie and suspenseful.
- Definition: Compares fear to unnatural stillness.
- Examples:
- The moment was as scary as silence before a storm.
- The city was as scary as silence before a storm.
34. As scary as a shadow at the window
- Meaning: Terrifying because it feels invasive.
- Definition: Compares fear to unexpected presence.
- Examples:
- The figure was as scary as a shadow at the window.
- The night felt as scary as a shadow at the window.
How to Use These Similes in Your Writing (Creative Tips)
Similes can transform ordinary descriptions into unforgettable scenes. Here’s how you can use these “scary” similes:
- In poems: Add dramatic flair with imagery (e.g., “Her voice was as scary as a ghostly whisper”).
- In stories: Build tension in horror or thriller writing.
- In songs: Create emotional intensity by comparing fear to everyday images.
- In essays: Use sparingly to emphasize emotion or describe experiences vividly.
- In conversations: Add humor or exaggeration by comparing simple fears to these dramatic images.
FAQs
What are similes for scary?
Similes for scary are comparisons that describe fear using “like” or “as,” such as “as scary as a haunted house at midnight.”
Why use similes in writing?
Similes make writing more vivid, emotional, and memorable. They help readers picture feelings clearly.
Can I use scary similes in everyday speech?
Yes! You can say “That test was as scary as a monster under the bed” to add humor or drama in casual talk.
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
A simile uses “like” or “as” (e.g., “as scary as a wolf’s howl”), while a metaphor states something is another thing (e.g., “He was a wolf’s howl in the night”).
How do similes improve creative writing?
They engage readers by evoking strong imagery and emotions, making scenes more powerful and realistic.
Conclusion
Similes are powerful tools for writers, teachers, and students. By comparing fear to vivid images like haunted houses, thunderstorms, or shadows, you can capture emotions in a way that ordinary words cannot.
This list of 34 similes for “scary” in 2025 gives you a ready collection for poems, essays, stories, or casual conversation. Use them wisely to make your writing more expressive, chilling, and unforgettable.
