Similes are figures of speech that compare two things using words like “as” or “like.” They make language richer, more vivid, and more relatable.
Crying is one of the most emotional human expressions, and writers often use similes to capture its depth—whether it’s tears of sadness, joy, or relief.
In this article, you’ll find over 31 unique similes for crying, complete with meanings and examples, to help bring your writing to life.
What is a Simile?
A simile is a literary device that compares one thing to another using “like” or “as” to create a vivid image. For example, “She cried like a broken fountain” paints a stronger picture than simply saying, “She cried a lot.”
Quick Similes for Crying
Here’s a quick table of five similes with their meanings and examples for easy understanding:
| Simile | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Cried like a baby | Weeping uncontrollably | After the movie, he cried like a baby. |
| Tears flowed like rain | Tears came in heavy streams | Her tears flowed like rain on her cheeks. |
| Crying like a lost child | Expressing helpless sorrow | He was crying like a lost child searching for comfort. |
| Wept like a broken heart | Deep emotional pain | She wept like a broken heart that couldn’t be healed. |
| Tears fell like glass | Fragile and sharp emotions | His tears fell like glass, shattering silently on the floor. |
31+ Similes for Crying
1. Cried like a baby
- Meaning: Expressing raw, uninhibited emotion.
- Definition: Crying openly without restraint, like an infant.
- Examples:
- After failing the exam, he cried like a baby in his room.
- She missed her parents so much that she cried like a baby.
2. Tears flowed like rain
- Meaning: Tears falling in heavy streams.
- Definition: Comparing tears to endless rain.
- Examples:
- Tears flowed like rain during the farewell ceremony.
- When her pet died, her tears flowed like rain for hours.
3. Crying like a lost child
- Meaning: Showing helpless sadness.
- Definition: Crying in confusion and loneliness.
- Examples:
- He stood crying like a lost child in the dark street.
- She cried like a lost child when no one listened.
4. Wept like a broken heart
- Meaning: Deep emotional grief.
- Definition: Tears symbolizing a shattered soul.
- Examples:
- She wept like a broken heart after the breakup.
- His eyes showed he wept like a broken heart.
5. Tears fell like glass
- Meaning: Fragile and sharp emotions.
- Definition: Tears compared to breaking glass.
- Examples:
- His tears fell like glass onto the cold floor.
- She felt every drop of pain as her tears fell like glass.
6. Crying like a storm
- Meaning: Loud and unstoppable weeping.
- Definition: Tears compared to wild weather.
- Examples:
- She was crying like a storm in the night.
- He cried like a storm after hearing the tragic news.
7. Eyes poured like waterfalls
- Meaning: Unending flow of tears.
- Definition: Comparing tears to rushing waterfalls.
- Examples:
- His eyes poured like waterfalls when he saw her again.
- She laughed and cried, her eyes pouring like waterfalls.
8. Wept like a willow tree
- Meaning: Graceful yet endless sorrow.
- Definition: Comparing crying to a drooping willow tree.
- Examples:
- She wept like a willow tree bending in the wind.
- His silence showed he wept like a willow tree inside.
9. Crying like thunder without lightning
- Meaning: Loud grief with no relief.
- Definition: Crying powerfully, like thunder rumbling.
- Examples:
- He was crying like thunder without lightning in the hall.
- She cried like thunder without lightning—heavy but unseen.
10. Tears fell like pearls
- Meaning: Beautiful but precious sadness.
- Definition: Comparing tears to shining pearls.
- Examples:
- Tears fell like pearls down her gentle face.
- His tears fell like pearls, each one glowing with emotion.
11. Crying like shattered glass
- Meaning: Painful, broken sadness.
- Definition: Crying compared to glass breaking apart.
- Examples:
- He was crying like shattered glass in the silence.
- Her voice cracked, crying like shattered glass.
12. Tears like melted ice
- Meaning: Slow but steady crying.
- Definition: Comparing tears to ice turning into water.
- Examples:
- Tears like melted ice rolled down her cheeks.
- His eyes dripped tears like melted ice.
13. Crying like waves on a shore
- Meaning: Rhythmic, constant tears.
- Definition: Tears compared to the ocean’s waves.
- Examples:
- She was crying like waves on a shore, endlessly.
- His tears came and went like waves on a shore.
14. Tears burned like fire
- Meaning: Painful, stinging tears.
- Definition: Crying with fiery emotions.
- Examples:
- His tears burned like fire down his cheeks.
- She felt her tears burn like fire after the argument.
15. Wept like falling leaves
- Meaning: Gentle, slow sadness.
- Definition: Comparing tears to autumn leaves drifting down.
- Examples:
- She wept like falling leaves in the wind.
- His tears fell like falling leaves, soft and quiet.
16. Crying like a wounded bird
- Meaning: Fragile, broken sorrow.
- Definition: Comparing tears to a bird in pain.
- Examples:
- He was crying like a wounded bird in silence.
- She cried like a wounded bird, her heart aching.
17. Tears fell like broken stars
- Meaning: Beautiful but tragic emotions.
- Definition: Comparing tears to stars falling.
- Examples:
- His tears fell like broken stars in the night.
- She wept, her tears falling like broken stars.
18. Crying like a hollow cave
- Meaning: Empty and echoing grief.
- Definition: Tears echoing inside like a cave.
- Examples:
- He was crying like a hollow cave filled with echoes.
- She felt empty, crying like a hollow cave.
19. Tears flowed like rivers
- Meaning: Endless weeping.
- Definition: Comparing tears to strong rivers.
- Examples:
- His tears flowed like rivers on his cheeks.
- She wept, her tears flowing like rivers without pause.
20. Crying like a thunderstorm
- Meaning: Heavy, uncontrollable crying.
- Definition: Tears compared to violent weather.
- Examples:
- He was crying like a thunderstorm shaking the sky.
- She cried like a thunderstorm, fierce and loud.
21. Wept like candle wax melting
- Meaning: Slow, fragile weeping.
- Definition: Comparing tears to melting wax.
- Examples:
- She wept like candle wax melting in the night.
- His tears dripped like candle wax melting down.
22. Crying like a broken violin
- Meaning: Sad, mournful emotions.
- Definition: Comparing crying to broken music.
- Examples:
- She cried like a broken violin left alone.
- His voice trembled, crying like a broken violin.
23. Tears like scattered jewels
- Meaning: Precious yet sorrowful tears.
- Definition: Comparing tears to scattered gems.
- Examples:
- Her tears sparkled like scattered jewels.
- His tears glistened like scattered jewels on his cheeks.
24. Crying like a cracked mirror
- Meaning: Reflecting brokenness.
- Definition: Tears compared to shattered reflections.
- Examples:
- He cried like a cracked mirror unable to mend.
- She cried, her face like a cracked mirror.
25. Tears fell like raindrops on glass
- Meaning: Soft, streaking sadness.
- Definition: Tears compared to rain sliding on windows.
- Examples:
- Her tears fell like raindrops on glass.
- He sat by the window, his tears like raindrops on glass.
26. Crying like a faded song
- Meaning: Quiet, fading sorrow.
- Definition: Crying compared to music losing sound.
- Examples:
- She cried like a faded song disappearing.
- His tears sounded like a faded song.
27. Tears fell like snowflakes
- Meaning: Soft, delicate tears.
- Definition: Tears compared to falling snow.
- Examples:
- Her tears fell like snowflakes in winter silence.
- His tears dropped like snowflakes on his hands.
28. Crying like a broken clock
- Meaning: Stuck in sadness.
- Definition: Crying compared to a stopped clock.
- Examples:
- She was crying like a broken clock ticking no more.
- He wept like a broken clock frozen in time.
29. Tears burned like saltwater
- Meaning: Painful and raw emotions.
- Definition: Crying compared to stinging saltwater.
- Examples:
- His tears burned like saltwater in his wounds.
- She felt her tears burn like saltwater on her face.
30. Crying like the sky at dusk
- Meaning: Sad but beautiful.
- Definition: Comparing crying to fading skies.
- Examples:
- She cried like the sky at dusk—soft but heavy.
- His tears shone like the sky at dusk.
31. Tears fell like shattered crystal
- Meaning: Painful yet shining.
- Definition: Comparing tears to broken crystals.
- Examples:
- Her tears fell like shattered crystal on the floor.
- He cried, his tears sparkling like shattered crystal.
How to Use These Similes in Creative Writing
Similes make your writing more powerful and emotional. You can:
- Use them in poems to paint deeper emotions.
- Add them to stories to make characters’ feelings vivid.
- Use them in songs to express heartbreak or joy.
- Include them in essays to make descriptions memorable.
When writing, choose similes that match the tone—gentle ones like “tears like snowflakes” for soft sadness, or stronger ones like “crying like a storm” for dramatic grief.
FAQs
What are similes for crying?
They are comparisons that describe crying by relating it to vivid images like storms, rain, or glass.
Why use similes when describing crying?
Because similes make writing more emotional, engaging, and easy to visualize.
Can similes be used in songs or poems?
Yes, similes are perfect for creative works like poems and songs because they add rhythm and imagery.
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor for crying?
A simile uses “like” or “as” (e.g., cried like a baby), while a metaphor states it directly (e.g., Her tears were rivers).
Which simile is best for deep sadness?
“Crying like a broken violin” or “wept like a broken heart” works well for deep sorrow.
Conclusion
Similes are powerful tools for describing emotions like crying.
From gentle tears that fall like snowflakes to uncontrollable sobs that roar like storms, these comparisons help paint vivid pictures in readers’ minds.
Use these 31+ similes in your stories, poems, and songs to make your writing more heartfelt and relatable.
