Let’s explore similes for crying in simple terms. A simile is a comparison using the words like or as. It helps readers see and feel what is happening. When you use similes for crying, you do more than say someone is sad. You show the feeling.
For example, saying “She cried like a child lost in a crowd” paints a clear picture. Readers can imagine the fear and pain. That is the power of strong similes.
In creative writing, similes make emotions real. They turn plain sentences into vivid ones. Instead of telling the reader someone is upset, you help them feel it. This is why similes matter so much in stories, poems, and even essays.
Strong similes also make writing easier to understand. They connect new ideas to things people already know. That is why similes are great for beginners. They are simple, clear, and powerful.
In this guide, you will see examples of similes, learn the meaning of similes, and practice how to use similes in writing step by step.
20 Strong Similes for Crying (With Meanings and Examples)
- Crying like a baby
Meaning: Crying loudly and without control
Explanation: Babies cry freely and loudly.
Example sentences:
- He was crying like a baby after the loss.
- She cried like a baby when the news broke.
- Crying like rain from dark clouds
Meaning: Steady, heavy crying
Explanation: Rain falling nonstop shows deep sadness.
Example sentences:
- Tears fell like rain from dark clouds.
- She cried like rain during the stormy night.
- Crying like a broken faucet
Meaning: Tears flowing nonstop
Explanation: A faucet that will not stop dripping shows endless tears.
Example sentences:
- He cried like a broken faucet in the room.
- Her eyes ran like a broken faucet.
- Crying like a wounded animal
Meaning: Crying in pain or fear
Explanation: Injured animals cry from deep hurt.
Example sentences:
- He cried like a wounded animal.
- Her sobs sounded like a wounded animal.
- Crying like waves crashing on rocks
Meaning: Loud, repeating sobs
Explanation: Waves hit again and again, just like sobs.
Example sentences:
- She cried like waves crashing on rocks.
- His sobs hit hard like crashing waves.
- Crying like a child lost in a crowd
Meaning: Crying from fear and loneliness
Explanation: Lost children cry from panic.
Example sentences:
- She cried like a child lost in a crowd.
- He felt small and cried like a lost child.
- Crying like tears spilling from a cracked cup
Meaning: Quiet but constant crying
Explanation: A cracked cup slowly leaks.
Example sentences:
- Tears spilled like a cracked cup.
- She cried softly like a cracked cup leaking.
- Crying like thunder after lightning
Meaning: Sudden, loud crying
Explanation: Thunder follows lightning fast and strong.
Example sentences:
- He cried like thunder after lightning.
- Her sobs came suddenly like thunder.
- Crying like snow melting in the sun
Meaning: Slow, gentle crying
Explanation: Melting snow fades softly.
Example sentences:
- She cried like snow melting in the sun.
- His tears came slow and quiet.
- Crying like a storm trapped inside
Meaning: Crying with strong hidden emotion
Explanation: A storm inside shows bottled feelings.
Example sentences:
- He cried like a storm trapped inside.
- Her tears released the storm within.
- Crying like leaves falling in autumn
Meaning: Soft, sad crying
Explanation: Falling leaves feel calm and sad.
Example sentences:
- She cried like leaves falling in autumn.
- His tears drifted like autumn leaves.
- Crying like a kettle left too long
Meaning: Crying from pressure
Explanation: A kettle screams when pressure builds.
Example sentences:
- He cried like a kettle left too long.
- Her sobs whistled like a hot kettle.
- Crying like glass shattering
Meaning: Sharp, painful crying
Explanation: Breaking glass feels sudden and painful.
Example sentences:
- She cried like glass shattering.
- His voice broke like shattered glass.
- Crying like a river breaking its banks
Meaning: Crying uncontrollably
Explanation: Flooding rivers show loss of control.
Example sentences:
- Tears flowed like a river breaking its banks.
- He cried until emotions overflowed.
- Crying like a lonely wolf
Meaning: Crying from deep loneliness
Explanation: Wolves howl alone in the wild.
Example sentences:
- He cried like a lonely wolf.
- Her sob echoed like a wolf’s call.
- Crying like rain tapping a window
Meaning: Soft, steady crying
Explanation: Light rain sounds gentle and sad.
Example sentences:
- She cried like rain tapping a window.
- His tears fell quietly.
- Crying like a balloon losing air
Meaning: Weak, tired crying
Explanation: Air slowly leaves a balloon.
Example sentences:
- He cried like a balloon losing air.
- Her voice faded as she cried.
- Crying like a heart cracking open
Meaning: Crying from heartbreak
Explanation: A cracking heart shows emotional pain.
Example sentences:
- She cried like her heart cracked open.
- His tears showed deep heartbreak.
- Crying like shadows at sunset
Meaning: Silent, emotional crying
Explanation: Shadows fade quietly at sunset.
Example sentences:
- She cried like shadows at sunset.
- His pain was quiet but deep.
- Crying like night falling fast
Meaning: Sudden sadness
Explanation: Night comes quickly and darkly.
Example sentences:
- He cried like night falling fast.
- Her mood dropped suddenly.
Practice Section: Try These Simile Exercises
- Complete the simile: She cried like falling from the sky.
Answer: Rain
Explanation: Rain shows steady tears. - Identify the simile: He cried like a broken faucet.
Answer: Like a broken faucet
Explanation: Uses “like” to compare crying. - Choose the best simile for loud crying: thunder or snow?
Answer: Thunder
Explanation: Thunder is loud. - What emotion fits crying like a lonely wolf?
Answer: Loneliness
Explanation: Wolves howl alone. - Fill in the blank: Tears flowed like a breaking its banks.
Answer: River
Explanation: Rivers overflow like emotions. - Is this a simile? Her tears were endless.
Answer: No
Explanation: No comparison using like or as. - Pick the softer simile: rain tapping a window or glass shattering
Answer: Rain tapping a window
Explanation: It sounds gentle. - Complete: He cried like a child in a crowd.
Answer: Lost
Explanation: Lost children cry from fear. - What word makes it a simile: as or very?
Answer: As
Explanation: Similes use like or as. - Write a simile for quiet crying
Answer: Example: She cried like snow melting.
Explanation: Snow melts softly.
Conclusion
Strong similes for crying bring emotions to life. They help readers see, hear, and feel sadness instead of just reading about it. In simple terms, similes turn plain writing into powerful writing.
By learning the meaning of similes and studying clear simile sentences, you gain better control over emotion in your work. These creative writing similes help you connect with readers and make stories more memorable.
Now that you know how to use similes in writing, try creating your own. Look at nature, sounds, and feelings around you. Then compare crying to something familiar. With practice, your writing will feel clearer, deeper, and more alive.
