A simile is a figure of speech that compares one thing to another using words like “as” or “like.
” Pain is a universal human experience, and writers, poets, and speakers often use similes to express its intensity in a relatable way.
In this article, you’ll discover over 35 similes for pain—from sharp emotional suffering to physical aches—that will help you describe pain more vividly in your writing.
Keep reading to explore the full collection with meanings and examples.
Quick Definition of a Simile
A simile is a literary device that directly compares two different things using “like” or “as” to create a stronger image or clearer meaning. For example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
5 Quick Similes for Pain
| Simile | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| As painful as walking on glass | Extreme discomfort or unbearable pain | “His betrayal was as painful as walking on glass.” |
| Like a knife twisting in the heart | Emotional pain that feels sharp and deep | “Hearing the news was like a knife twisting in the heart.” |
| As sharp as a burning needle | Intense, piercing physical pain | “The injection felt as sharp as a burning needle.” |
| Like thunder in the head | Severe headache or overwhelming pain | “The migraine struck like thunder in the head.” |
| As heavy as a stone on the chest | Emotional burden or suffocating sadness | “Grief lay on her as heavy as a stone on the chest.” |
Full List of 35+ Similes for Pain
1. As painful as walking on glass
- Meaning: Pain that cuts deeply and feels unbearable.
- Definition: Pain compared to stepping on sharp glass.
- Examples:
- “The rejection was as painful as walking on glass.”
- “His words cut her as painful as walking on glass.”
2. Like a knife twisting in the heart
- Meaning: Sharp emotional heartbreak.
- Definition: Pain likened to a knife cutting and twisting inside.
- Examples:
- “Her departure was like a knife twisting in the heart.”
- “Each insult felt like a knife twisting in his heart.”
3. As sharp as a burning needle
- Meaning: Piercing, acute pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to a needle prick combined with heat.
- Examples:
- “The wound was as sharp as a burning needle.”
- “Her cry was as sharp as a burning needle in the air.”
4. Like thunder in the head
- Meaning: Intense headache or overwhelming sensation.
- Definition: Pain compared to booming thunder.
- Examples:
- “The migraine struck like thunder in the head.”
- “The stress felt like thunder in his mind.”
5. As heavy as a stone on the chest
- Meaning: Emotional weight, sadness, or grief.
- Definition: Pain that feels crushing.
- Examples:
- “The loss sat as heavy as a stone on her chest.”
- “The guilt was as heavy as a stone on his heart.”
6. Like fire under the skin
- Meaning: Burning or stinging pain.
- Definition: Pain described as fire spreading.
- Examples:
- “The rash felt like fire under the skin.”
- “His anger burned like fire under the skin.”
7. As endless as the night
- Meaning: Pain that feels never-ending.
- Definition: Pain compared to long, dark nights.
- Examples:
- “Her sorrow was as endless as the night.”
- “The wait was as endless as the night in agony.”
8. Like chains pulling the soul
- Meaning: Emotional pain that feels like being trapped.
- Definition: Pain compared to being bound by chains.
- Examples:
- “Depression felt like chains pulling the soul.”
- “His regret was like chains dragging him down.”
9. As deep as an ocean wound
- Meaning: Immense and consuming pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to something vast and unmeasurable.
- Examples:
- “Her grief was as deep as an ocean wound.”
- “The betrayal cut him as deep as an ocean wound.”
10. Like ice freezing the heart
- Meaning: Emotional numbness or cold pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to freezing sensations.
- Examples:
- “Her loneliness was like ice freezing the heart.”
- “The silence felt like ice freezing his spirit.”
11. As sudden as lightning striking
- Meaning: Pain that comes abruptly and powerfully.
- Definition: Pain compared to lightning bolts.
- Examples:
- “The cramp was as sudden as lightning striking.”
- “Her realization hit as sudden as lightning.”
12. Like a storm tearing the sky
- Meaning: Chaotic, destructive pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to violent storms.
- Examples:
- “His sorrow raged like a storm tearing the sky.”
- “The pain tore through him like a storm.”
13. As relentless as waves crashing
- Meaning: Pain that keeps coming back.
- Definition: Pain compared to repeated waves.
- Examples:
- “The memories were as relentless as waves crashing.”
- “Her grief hit her as relentless as the ocean tide.”
14. Like a thorn piercing the skin
- Meaning: Small but sharp pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to thorns.
- Examples:
- “His insult was like a thorn piercing her heart.”
- “The memory stung like a thorn piercing flesh.”
15. As silent as a broken dream
- Meaning: Quiet but heavy emotional pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to silent heartbreak.
- Examples:
- “Her disappointment was as silent as a broken dream.”
- “The empty house felt as silent as a broken heart.”
16. Like ashes in the mouth
- Meaning: Pain that feels tasteless, empty.
- Definition: Pain compared to ashes left after burning.
- Examples:
- “The victory was like ashes in the mouth.”
- “Her love turned like ashes in his memory.”
17. As suffocating as smoke
- Meaning: Overwhelming, inescapable pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to choking smoke.
- Examples:
- “His anxiety was as suffocating as smoke.”
- “The grief clouded her as suffocating as smoke.”
18. Like an arrow in the soul
- Meaning: Sharp, targeted emotional pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to an arrow strike.
- Examples:
- “The betrayal was like an arrow in the soul.”
- “Her rejection hit him like an arrow.”
19. As bitter as poison
- Meaning: Pain that leaves lasting bitterness.
- Definition: Pain compared to venom.
- Examples:
- “His words were as bitter as poison.”
- “The loss tasted as bitter as poison in her life.”
20. Like glass shattering inside
- Meaning: Sudden breaking emotional pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to breaking glass.
- Examples:
- “Her hope broke like glass shattering inside.”
- “The news hit him like glass shattering in his chest.”
21. As crushing as a mountain
- Meaning: Heavy, overwhelming pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to massive weight.
- Examples:
- “The pressure was as crushing as a mountain.”
- “Her grief was as crushing as a mountain on her chest.”
22. Like a shadow that won’t leave
- Meaning: Pain that lingers.
- Definition: Pain compared to ever-present shadows.
- Examples:
- “Her sadness was like a shadow that won’t leave.”
- “The memory stayed like a shadow behind him.”
23. As endless as desert heat
- Meaning: Pain that drains energy.
- Definition: Pain compared to exhausting heat.
- Examples:
- “The wait was as endless as desert heat.”
- “His loneliness felt as endless as burning sand.”
24. Like thorns wrapped around the heart
- Meaning: Pain that is constant and suffocating.
- Definition: Pain compared to thorny vines.
- Examples:
- “Her sorrow felt like thorns wrapped around the heart.”
- “Each memory stabbed like thorns in his soul.”
25. As raw as an open wound
- Meaning: Exposed and sensitive pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to wounds that never heal.
- Examples:
- “His grief was as raw as an open wound.”
- “Her rejection left him as raw as a bleeding cut.”
26. Like echoes in an empty room
- Meaning: Loneliness, haunting pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to lingering echoes.
- Examples:
- “Her heartbreak rang like echoes in an empty room.”
- “The silence sounded like echoes of sorrow.”
27. As sharp as broken glass
- Meaning: Pain that cuts sharply.
- Definition: Pain compared to sharp shards.
- Examples:
- “Her guilt was as sharp as broken glass.”
- “The words pierced him as sharp as glass.”
28. Like a storm cloud overhead
- Meaning: Heavy, unavoidable pain.
- Definition: Pain compared to looming storms.
- Examples:
- “Her worry hung like a storm cloud overhead.”
- “The sadness followed him like thunderclouds.”
29. As consuming as wildfire
- Meaning: Pain that spreads uncontrollably.
- Definition: Pain compared to flames spreading.
- Examples:
- “Her anger was as consuming as wildfire.”
- “The grief spread as consuming as fire in a forest.”
30. Like thorns in every step
- Meaning: Pain in every action.
- Definition: Pain compared to constant pricks.
- Examples:
- “Each day felt like thorns in every step.”
- “Her struggle was like thorns on her journey.”
How to Use These Similes Creatively in Writing ✍️
Similes for pain can transform simple sentences into powerful expressions. Here are some ideas:
- Poems: Use them to describe heartbreak, grief, or longing with depth.
- Stories: Add them in character dialogues or narration to make emotions vivid.
- Songs: Pain-related similes can enhance emotional lyrics.
- Essays: In reflective or personal essays, they bring clarity and impact.
Tip: Choose a simile that matches the tone—burning fire for anger, crushing stone for grief, or shadows for lingering sadness.
FAQs About Similes for Pain
What is a simile for pain?
A simile for pain is a comparison that uses “like” or “as” to describe pain vividly, such as “as sharp as a needle.”
Why do writers use similes to describe pain?
Writers use similes because they make abstract or intense feelings easier to imagine and relate to.
Can similes for pain be used in both physical and emotional contexts?
Yes, many similes work for both. For example, “as heavy as a stone” can describe grief (emotional) or chest pain (physical).
Are similes for pain only for poetry?
Not at all. They can be used in speeches, songs, novels, and even casual writing to express feelings more effectively.
What’s the difference between a simile and a metaphor for pain?
A simile uses “like” or “as” (“as sharp as glass”), while a metaphor directly states something is something else (“pain is glass breaking inside”).
Conclusion
Pain is one of the most powerful emotions, and describing it vividly helps readers connect to your words.
These 35+ similes for pain give you creative ways to capture suffering, whether in poems, songs, essays, or storytelling.
Use them to make your writing more expressive and relatable in 2025.
