Sometimes, we miss something or someone so much that it’s hard to find the right words to say. That’s where similes can help. A simile compares one thing to another using the words “like” or “as.” When we feel strong emotions like yearning, similes let us show those feelings in a clearer way. They help us describe what our heart feels when we want something deeply.
In this article, we will learn similes that talk about yearning. Each one paints a picture of how it feels to want something very badly. These similes are simple and easy to use. You’ll find examples to help you understand and maybe even use them in your writing. Let’s begin learning how to say “I miss this” in a more colorful way.
Similes for Yearning
1. As lonely as a cloud without the sky
Meaning: Feeling alone and longing for something missing.
Samples: He sat by himself, as lonely as a cloud without the sky. / She was as lonely as a cloud without the sky after her best friend moved.
To Put it Another Way: He missed someone deeply. / She felt empty inside.
2. Like a bird staring at a locked cage
Meaning: Wanting freedom or something just out of reach.
Samples: He was like a bird staring at a locked cage, wishing for summer break. / Her eyes looked like a bird staring at a locked cage when she saw the playground but couldn’t go.
To Put it Another Way: She wished she could go outside. / He wanted something he couldn’t have.
3. As quiet as a phone with no messages
Meaning: Feeling forgotten or left out.
Samples: After the party invite never came, he felt as quiet as a phone with no messages. / She was as quiet as a phone with no messages all day.
To Put it Another Way: He felt ignored. / She missed being noticed.
4. Like a flower turning toward the sun
Meaning: Longing for love or attention.
Samples: She looked at her parents like a flower turning toward the sun, waiting for a smile. / He reached out like a flower turning toward the sun.
To Put it Another Way: He wanted their warmth. / She hoped for care.
5. As empty as a lunchbox at the end of the day
Meaning: Feeling a deep sense of something missing.
Samples: After the goodbye, he felt as empty as a lunchbox at the end of the day. / She sat as empty as a lunchbox, missing her friend.
To Put it Another Way: He missed what he had. / She felt something was gone.
6. Like a dog waiting by the door
Meaning: Eagerly waiting for someone’s return.
Samples: He was like a dog waiting by the door when his brother was late. / She stood like a dog waiting by the door, hoping for a hug.
To Put it Another Way: He missed them badly. / She kept waiting with hope.
7. As quiet as a bedtime story never told
Meaning: Missing something comforting or familiar.
Samples: The room felt as quiet as a bedtime story never told. / She was as quiet as a bedtime story never told after her grandma left.
To Put it Another Way: She missed the special moments. / He longed for comfort.
8. Like a window without a view
Meaning: Feeling stuck or without connection.
Samples: She felt like a window without a view after moving away. / He stared out like a window without a view.
To Put it Another Way: She missed seeing her old life. / He felt far from everything.
9. As still as a swing without a child
Meaning: Missing joy or companionship.
Samples: The playground was as still as a swing without a child. / She felt as still as a swing without a child when her best friend was sick.
To Put it Another Way: She felt alone. / He missed the fun times.
10. Like a balloon floating away
Meaning: Watching something special slip away.
Samples: The moment felt like a balloon floating away. / He looked at her like a balloon floating away, knowing she was leaving.
To Put it Another Way: He couldn’t hold on. / She felt something was slipping from her life.
11. As cold as a forgotten jacket
Meaning: Feeling unwanted or unloved.
Samples: He felt as cold as a forgotten jacket at the back of the closet. / She was as cold as a forgotten jacket after her friend ignored her.
To Put it Another Way: She felt left out. / He missed being cared for.
12. Like crayons without paper
Meaning: Ready to express but having no chance to do so.
Samples: He was like crayons without paper, full of feelings he couldn’t share. / She sat like crayons without paper, longing to be heard.
To Put it Another Way: She had so much inside. / He wanted to connect.
13. As faded as old birthday balloons
Meaning: Feeling forgotten or past one’s happiest days.
Samples: After moving to a new school, he felt as faded as old birthday balloons. / She smiled, but it was as faded as old birthday balloons.
To Put it Another Way: She missed how things used to be. / He felt less joyful.
14. Like shoes waiting by the door
Meaning: Ready and waiting for someone or something.
Samples: He sat quietly like shoes waiting by the door. / She waited like shoes by the door, hoping her dad would come home.
To Put it Another Way: She missed someone badly. / He was hoping for a return.
15. As still as a song not played
Meaning: Longing for something beautiful that hasn’t happened.
Samples: The room was as still as a song not played. / Her eyes were as still as a song not played.
To Put it Another Way: She was full of quiet wishes. / Something special was missing.
16. Like a teddy bear left on the shelf
Meaning: Feeling unloved or unused.
Samples: He felt like a teddy bear left on the shelf when his friends didn’t call. / She stood in line like a teddy bear left on the shelf.
To Put it Another Way: She felt lonely. / He missed being noticed.
17. As hollow as an empty mailbox
Meaning: Waiting for a message or reply that never comes.
Samples: Every day, he checked the mail, as hollow as an empty mailbox. / Her heart felt as hollow as an empty mailbox.
To Put it Another Way: She was expecting something. / He felt left out.
18. Like a puzzle missing a piece
Meaning: Feeling incomplete.
Samples: She felt like a puzzle missing a piece after her best friend moved. / He looked at the group photo like a puzzle missing a piece.
To Put it Another Way: He missed being whole. / She felt something important was gone.
19. As quiet as a snow globe not shaken
Meaning: Stuck in a place, waiting for something to happen.
Samples: He was as quiet as a snow globe not shaken, hoping things would change. / She stared out the window like a snow globe not shaken.
To Put it Another Way: She wished for motion. / He longed for excitement.
20. Like a clock with no hands
Meaning: Feeling lost or without purpose.
Samples: Without her brother, he felt like a clock with no hands. / Her weekend felt like a clock with no hands.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t know what to do. / He felt like time didn’t move.
21. As still as unopened mail
Meaning: Holding back feelings or waiting to be read.
Samples: He sat with his thoughts, as still as unopened mail. / Her words were as still as unopened mail.
To Put it Another Way: She kept her feelings inside. / He waited for the right moment.
22. Like a swing blowing in the wind
Meaning: Feeling aimless or missing someone who used to be there.
Samples: The empty park felt like a swing blowing in the wind. / She walked by like a swing blowing in the wind.
To Put it Another Way: She missed a friend. / It felt like someone was missing.
23. As dim as a flashlight with no battery
Meaning: Lacking energy or hope.
Samples: After the loss, he was as dim as a flashlight with no battery. / Her smile was as dim as a flashlight with no battery.
To Put it Another Way: She felt drained. / He had no spark.
24. Like socks missing their match
Meaning: Feeling incomplete or out of place.
Samples: He felt like socks missing their match on the first day of school. / She was like socks missing their match at the dance.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t feel like she belonged. / He missed his friend.
25. As slow as a weekend without plans
Meaning: Time dragging due to longing.
Samples: The hours passed as slow as a weekend without plans. / Her afternoon felt as slow as a weekend without plans.
To Put it Another Way: Time felt endless. / He waited and waited.
26. Like a bench waiting for someone to sit
Meaning: Waiting for company or purpose.
Samples: She waited at lunch like a bench waiting for someone to sit. / He stood quietly like a bench waiting for someone to sit.
To Put it Another Way: She wanted to feel needed. / He hoped someone would come.
27. As dry as a well with no water
Meaning: Feeling empty and tired of waiting.
Samples: His heart felt as dry as a well with no water. / She was as dry as a well with no water, longing for joy.
To Put it Another Way: She felt worn out. / He had nothing left to give.
28. Like a whisper no one hears
Meaning: Wanting to be heard or noticed.
Samples: Her feelings were like a whisper no one hears. / He spoke like a whisper no one hears.
To Put it Another Way: He felt invisible. / She longed for someone to listen.
29. As still as a page not turned
Meaning: Feeling stuck in the same moment.
Samples: Their friendship was as still as a page not turned. / Her story felt as still as a page not turned.
To Put it Another Way: Things weren’t changing. / She missed what used to be.
30. Like a campfire without a flame
Meaning: Missing warmth or connection.
Samples: He sat alone, like a campfire without a flame. / She felt like a campfire without a flame at the party.
To Put it Another Way: She missed someone special. / He felt cold inside.
31. As lost as a paper in the wind
Meaning: Feeling unsure or out of place.
Samples: He walked the halls as lost as a paper in the wind. / She felt as lost as a paper in the wind after moving.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t know where to go. / He felt out of place.
32. Like a kite with no wind
Meaning: Wanting to rise but unable to.
Samples: Her dreams sat like a kite with no wind. / He stood quietly, like a kite with no wind.
To Put it Another Way: He couldn’t get going. / She needed help to soar.
33. As frozen as a pond in winter
Meaning: Holding still while missing something.
Samples: Her smile was as frozen as a pond in winter. / He stood as frozen as a pond in winter.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t move forward. / He was stuck in place.
34. Like a bedtime story with no end
Meaning: Wanting something to continue.
Samples: The goodbye felt like a bedtime story with no end. / She waited like a bedtime story with no end.
To Put it Another Way: She hoped it wasn’t over. / He missed the ending.
35. As quiet as a text not answered
Meaning: Feeling ignored or forgotten.
Samples: His phone stayed as quiet as a text not answered. / She looked down, as quiet as a text not answered.
To Put it Another Way: She waited for a reply. / He felt alone.
36. Like a door waiting to open
Meaning: Hoping for a change or return.
Samples: He waited like a door waiting to open. / She stood still like a door waiting to open.
To Put it Another Way: She hoped for someone to walk in. / He missed a visitor.
37. As far as the stars
Meaning: Feeling distant from what’s wanted.
Samples: Her dreams seemed as far as the stars. / He looked at her as far as the stars.
To Put it Another Way: He couldn’t reach what he wanted. / She missed something big.
38. Like a hug never given
Meaning: Wishing for love or comfort.
Samples: Her heart ached like a hug never given. / He was like a hug never given.
To Put it Another Way: She needed warmth. / He longed for care.
39. As blue as the sea on a cloudy day
Meaning: Feeling sad and missing joy.
Samples: She was as blue as the sea on a cloudy day. / He stared outside, as blue as the sea on a cloudy day.
To Put it Another Way: He felt down. / She missed the sunshine.
40. Like a letter that was never sent
Meaning: Holding back thoughts or love.
Samples: His feelings were like a letter that was never sent. / She was like a letter that was never sent, full of words she never said.
To Put it Another Way: She couldn’t express her heart. / He kept it inside.
41. As forgotten as last year’s calendar
Meaning: Feeling overlooked or left behind.
Samples: She felt as forgotten as last year’s calendar. / His idea was treated as forgotten as last year’s calendar.
To Put it Another Way: He felt like no one remembered him. / She missed being seen.
42. Like rain waiting to fall
Meaning: Holding back tears or emotions.
Samples: Her eyes were like rain waiting to fall. / He looked like rain waiting to fall.
To Put it Another Way: She was close to crying. / He felt heavy inside.
43. As long as a goodbye
Meaning: Feeling like time stretches during farewells.
Samples: The hug lasted as long as a goodbye. / Her goodbye felt as long as a goodbye.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t want to let go. / He kept holding on.
44. Like music with no sound
Meaning: Missing something beautiful.
Samples: The room felt like music with no sound. / Her heart was like music with no sound.
To Put it Another Way: She missed what once was. / He felt empty.
45. As still as a heart waiting for a call
Meaning: Hoping for someone to reach out.
Samples: He sat as still as a heart waiting for a call. / She stared at her phone, as still as a heart waiting for a call.
To Put it Another Way: She was waiting for connection. / He hoped to hear from someone.
46. Like a trail that ends too soon
Meaning: Wanting more time or chances.
Samples: The visit felt like a trail that ends too soon. / Her summer was like a trail that ends too soon.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t want it to stop. / He wished for more.
47. As slow as waiting for spring
Meaning: Time dragging due to missing something.
Samples: He waited as slow as waiting for spring. / She counted days as slow as waiting for spring.
To Put it Another Way: Time felt heavy. / She wanted something to return.
48. Like a flame almost out
Meaning: Feeling tired from wanting too long.
Samples: She looked like a flame almost out. / His voice was like a flame almost out.
To Put it Another Way: He had little hope left. / She was tired of waiting.
49. As pale as moonlight without stars
Meaning: Longing and sadness mixed.
Samples: Her face was as pale as moonlight without stars. / He felt as pale as moonlight without stars.
To Put it Another Way: She was quiet with sadness. / He missed something big.
50. Like a playground with no kids
Meaning: Missing laughter or company.
Samples: The house felt like a playground with no kids. / She sat alone, like a playground with no kids.
To Put it Another Way: It was too quiet. / She missed her friends.
Find the Topics: Similes for Yearning
Valentine’s Day was almost here. Mia had made a special card for her best friend, Olivia. But all week, Olivia had been sitting with someone else at lunch. Mia sat quietly, like a swing blowing in the wind, hoping Olivia would notice her again.
At home, Mia looked out the window, feeling as quiet as a phone with no messages. Her heart felt like a letter that was never sent, full of things she didn’t say. She even skipped dance class, sitting on her bed like a teddy bear left on the shelf.
On Valentine’s Day, Mia walked into school holding her card, her steps as slow as waiting for spring. She placed the card in Olivia’s locker and walked away like a kite with no wind.
Later, Olivia found the card and ran to find Mia. She said, “I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you. I missed you too.” Mia’s eyes filled up like rain waiting to fall, but she smiled.
They sat together at lunch, and Mia felt like a flower turning toward the sun again. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt better than yesterday. The room still felt like a playground with no kids, but at least she wasn’t alone.
That night, Mia wrote in her journal, her heart as still as a song not played, but also as hopeful as shoes waiting by the door. Maybe things were starting to change.
Your Task:
Can you underline or list all 12 similes for yearning found in the story?
Answer Key
- Like a swing blowing in the wind
- As quiet as a phone with no messages
- Like a letter that was never sent
- Like a teddy bear left on the shelf
- As slow as waiting for spring
- Like a kite with no wind
- Like rain waiting to fall
- Like a flower turning toward the sun
- Like a playground with no kids
- As still as a song not played
- As hopeful as shoes waiting by the door
- Like a heart full of things unsaid
Conclusion
Similes help us show deep feelings in simple ways. When someone feels longing or misses something, these similes give us better words to share that feeling. Saying someone is “like a swing blowing in the wind” or “as quiet as a phone with no messages” paints a clear picture of sadness or hope.
These similes are not hard to use. They can make your stories or notes feel more honest and real. Next time you feel like something is missing, try using one of these expressions. It might help others understand your heart a little better.
