Sometimes when people feel really sad or upset, they cry. But instead of just saying, “I cried,” writers often use special phrases to help us understand their feelings better. These are called similes. A simile compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” It helps readers imagine how someone feels by painting a picture with words.
In this article, we’ll look at similes for being upset. These similes show how deep and strong emotions can be. Some may sound like crying during a storm, while others feel quiet and soft, like a slow rain. These similes help us understand how someone feels without saying it directly. Let’s learn how to describe sad moments using these thoughtful and creative expressions.
Similes for Upset
1. A cloud hanging over someone
Meaning: A negative or pessimistic attitude that affects someone’s mood or actions.
Samples: She walked into the room with a cloud hanging over her, clearly upset. / His negative attitude was like a cloud hanging over him, making everything feel gloomy.
To Put it Another Way: He had a dark outlook. / She was in a bad mood.
2. Like a rainy Monday
Meaning: Feeling low and discouraged, like how people often feel at the start of a workweek.
Samples: I felt like a rainy Monday after getting that bad grade. / Her mood was like a rainy Monday all day long.
To Put it Another Way: Everything felt slow and sad. / She wasn’t happy at all.
3. Like a wilting flower
Meaning: Feeling emotionally tired or defeated.
Samples: After the argument, he looked like a wilting flower. / She sat at her desk like a wilting flower.
To Put it Another Way: He looked worn out. / She didn’t have any energy left.
4. Like a balloon losing air
Meaning: Feeling deflated or let down.
Samples: When he didn’t get picked, he felt like a balloon losing air. / Her smile faded like a balloon losing air.
To Put it Another Way: His joy was gone. / Her excitement vanished.
5. Like a song with no tune
Meaning: Feeling empty or joyless.
Samples: After the news, she felt like a song with no tune. / His day was like a song with no tune.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t feel right. / Everything felt flat and sad.
6. Like a puzzle with a missing piece
Meaning: Feeling incomplete or like something is wrong.
Samples: I felt like a puzzle with a missing piece after she left. / His world was like a puzzle with a missing piece.
To Put it Another Way: Something was missing. / He didn’t feel whole.
7. Like a sky without stars
Meaning: Feeling lonely or without hope.
Samples: The night felt like a sky without stars after the breakup. / She stared out the window, feeling like a sky without stars.
To Put it Another Way: Everything felt dark. / She felt alone.
8. Like ice melting in the sun
Meaning: Slowly breaking down emotionally.
Samples: He was like ice melting in the sun after the bad news. / Her confidence melted like ice in the sun.
To Put it Another Way: He was falling apart. / She was losing her strength.
9. Like a forgotten toy
Meaning: Feeling ignored or left out.
Samples: She sat alone, feeling like a forgotten toy. / No one noticed him, like he was a forgotten toy.
To Put it Another Way: She felt unwanted. / He felt invisible.
10. Like thunder with no rain
Meaning: Feeling angry or upset without being able to show it.
Samples: He was like thunder with no rain, all storm inside. / She looked like thunder with no rain during the meeting.
To Put it Another Way: He was mad inside. / She was upset but quiet.
11. Like a clock with no hands
Meaning: Feeling stuck or without direction.
Samples: After the mistake, I felt like a clock with no hands. / Her mind was like a clock with no hands, lost in thought.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t know what to do. / She felt lost.
12. Like a candle flickering out
Meaning: Slowly losing hope or energy.
Samples: His smile was like a candle flickering out. / She moved like a candle flickering out after the sad call.
To Put it Another Way: His joy was fading. / She was running out of strength.
13. Like a broken swing
Meaning: Feeling down and unable to enjoy things.
Samples: He sat quietly, like a broken swing that no one played with. / Her joy was gone, like a broken swing in the park.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t feel like doing anything. / She wasn’t happy anymore.
14. Like a shadow on a sunny day
Meaning: A small sadness in a happy moment.
Samples: Her face was like a shadow on a sunny day during the celebration. / His mood was like a shadow on a sunny day.
To Put it Another Way: Something felt wrong. / He was quietly sad.
15. Like a bird with a broken wing
Meaning: Feeling hurt and unable to go on.
Samples: After hearing the news, she felt like a bird with a broken wing. / He was like a bird with a broken wing, not wanting to move.
To Put it Another Way: She felt weak. / He couldn’t keep going.
16. Like tears in the rain
Meaning: Feeling sadness that no one notices.
Samples: His sadness was like tears in the rain hidden. / She cried like tears in the rain, quietly and alone.
To Put it Another Way: No one saw how upset she was. / His pain was hidden.
17. Like a boat lost at sea
Meaning: Feeling alone or without help.
Samples: She felt like a boat lost at sea when her best friend moved away. / He was like a boat lost at sea, unsure where to go.
To Put it Another Way: She felt alone. / He didn’t know what to do.
18. Like an empty playground
Meaning: Feeling lonely or forgotten.
Samples: His heart felt like an empty playground. / She sat there, like an empty playground, full of silence.
To Put it Another Way: She felt left out. / He missed the fun times.
19. Like a story with no ending
Meaning: Feeling unfinished or unsure.
Samples: Their fight left her feeling like a story with no ending. / He was like a story with no ending, unsure of what to do next.
To Put it Another Way: She needed closure. / He felt stuck.
20. Like a toy left in the rain
Meaning: Feeling worn down or mistreated.
Samples: After the teasing, she felt like a toy left in the rain. / He looked like a toy left in the rain, forgotten and sad.
To Put it Another Way: She felt hurt. / He felt unwanted.
21. Like a whisper in a storm
Meaning: Feeling unheard or ignored.
Samples: His words felt like a whisper in a storm during the argument. / She tried to speak, but it was like a whisper in a storm.
To Put it Another Way: No one listened. / Her voice was lost.
22. Like a cold bed at night
Meaning: Feeling lonely or unloved.
Samples: The room felt like a cold bed at night after the fight. / He sat there, like a cold bed at night, missing someone.
To Put it Another Way: He was alone. / She felt unloved.
23. Like spilled milk on the floor
Meaning: Feeling upset about something that can’t be changed.
Samples: Losing the project felt like spilled milk on the floor. / Her mistake was like spilled milk sad but done.
To Put it Another Way: It was too late to fix. / He was sorry but couldn’t change it.
24. Like the last leaf on a tree
Meaning: Feeling fragile or ready to give up.
Samples: She held on, like the last leaf on a tree. / He felt like the last leaf, about to fall.
To Put it Another Way: She was tired. / He felt like quitting.
25. Like a door left open in the wind
Meaning: Feeling vulnerable or exposed.
Samples: His feelings were like a door left open in the wind. / She was like a door open in the wind unsure and shaken.
To Put it Another Way: She was open to hurt. / He felt weak.
26. Like a light turned off
Meaning: Feeling sad suddenly.
Samples: His joy disappeared like a light turned off. / She was laughing, then it was like a light turned off.
To Put it Another Way: Her happiness ended fast. / He felt empty.
27. Like a chalk drawing in the rain
Meaning: Losing hope or joy quickly.
Samples: Her confidence faded like a chalk drawing in the rain. / It was like a chalk drawing in the rain beautiful but short.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t last. / Her good mood washed away.
28. Like forgotten homework
Meaning: Feeling embarrassed or upset about a mistake.
Samples: He felt like forgotten homework when the teacher asked. / I was like forgotten homework missed and wrong.
To Put it Another Way: I felt bad. / He didn’t want to be seen.
29. Like a wilted balloon
Meaning: Feeling deflated or sad.
Samples: After the party, she felt like a wilted balloon. / He looked like a wilted balloon when the team lost.
To Put it Another Way: Her joy was gone. / He felt down.
30. Like winter with no snow
Meaning: Something missing in a time that should be happy.
Samples: Her birthday felt like winter with no snow. / The event was like winter with no snow quiet and dull.
To Put it Another Way: It wasn’t what she hoped. / It felt off.
31. Like shoes that don’t fit
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
Samples: I felt like shoes that don’t fit at the party. / He was like shoes that don’t fit in the group.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t belong. / He felt awkward.
32. Like music with no rhythm
Meaning: Feeling confused or off balance.
Samples: Her day was like music with no rhythm. / It felt like music with no rhythm, all mixed up.
To Put it Another Way: Nothing felt right. / Everything was confusing.
33. Like paint without color
Meaning: Feeling dull or emotionless.
Samples: He walked through the day like paint without color. / Her mood was like paint with no color flat and plain.
To Put it Another Way: He felt nothing. / She was empty inside.
34. Like wind in a broken sail
Meaning: Having energy but going nowhere.
Samples: He was trying, but it was like wind in a broken sail. / Her work felt like wind in a broken sail.
To Put it Another Way: He wasn’t making progress. / She felt stuck.
35. Like a broken pencil
Meaning: Feeling useless or unable to help.
Samples: She felt like a broken pencil during group work. / His ideas felt like a broken pencil unnoticed.
To Put it Another Way: She felt unimportant. / He felt left out.
36. Like a snowman in summer
Meaning: Feeling out of place or not meant to be there.
Samples: At the new school, she felt like a snowman in summer. / He was like a snowman in summer melting away.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t fit in. / She felt out of place.
37. Like a silent bell
Meaning: Feeling unheard or quieted.
Samples: She wanted to speak but felt like a silent bell. / His ideas rang like a silent bell.
To Put it Another Way: No one heard her. / He was ignored.
38. Like socks with holes
Meaning: Feeling not good enough or broken.
Samples: After the mistake, I felt like socks with holes. / Her confidence was like socks with holes full of gaps.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t feel right. / She felt weak.
39. Like a light bulb that flickers
Meaning: Unsure and nervous feelings.
Samples: His smile was like a flickering light bulb. / She answered like a light bulb that flickers.
To Put it Another Way: He wasn’t sure. / She was shaky.
40. Like an umbrella in the wind
Meaning: Feeling blown around and unstable.
Samples: She tried to stay calm but felt like an umbrella in the wind. / He stood there like an umbrella in the wind, unsure.
To Put it Another Way: She felt out of control. / He was shaken.
41. Like a scarf in a storm
Meaning: Being tossed around by emotions.
Samples: After the fight, he felt like a scarf in a storm. / Her mood was like a scarf in a storm wild and sad.
To Put it Another Way: She was emotional. / He felt blown away.
42. Like cold soup
Meaning: Something that should bring comfort but doesn’t.
Samples: Her hug felt like cold soup awkward and off. / He sat down to dinner like cold soup sad and slow.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t help. / The comfort was missing.
43. Like a faded photo
Meaning: Feeling forgotten or lost in time.
Samples: She felt like a faded photo at the reunion. / His dreams were like a faded photo.
To Put it Another Way: She felt left behind. / He lost hope.
44. Like gum with no flavor
Meaning: Losing interest or joy.
Samples: The game was like gum with no flavor after the fight. / His voice sounded like gum with no flavor.
To Put it Another Way: It wasn’t fun anymore. / He lost his spark.
45. Like a game with no winner
Meaning: Feeling like nothing was gained.
Samples: The meeting felt like a game with no winner. / After the test, she felt like a game with no winner.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t feel worth it. / No one was happy.
46. Like a shut window on a sunny day
Meaning: Blocking out joy or good feelings.
Samples: He stayed in, like a shut window on a sunny day. / Her mood was like a shut window.
To Put it Another Way: She kept happiness away. / He didn’t want to feel better.
47. Like cracked glass
Meaning: Emotionally fragile or close to breaking.
Samples: She smiled, but it looked like cracked glass. / His confidence was like cracked glass.
To Put it Another Way: She was ready to cry. / He felt weak.
48. Like a road with no signs
Meaning: Not knowing what to do next.
Samples: He felt like a road with no signs after the move. / Her plans were like a road with no signs.
To Put it Another Way: She was confused. / He didn’t have direction.
49. Like a song stuck on repeat
Meaning: Repeating the same sad feelings.
Samples: After the loss, his sadness was like a song stuck on repeat. / She kept thinking, like a song on repeat.
To Put it Another Way: She couldn’t move on. / He kept replaying the pain.
50. Like a forgotten chapter
Meaning: Feeling like your story was skipped or missed.
Samples: He felt like a forgotten chapter in their friendship. / Her part was like a forgotten chapter.
To Put it Another Way: She felt left out. / He didn’t feel seen.
Find the Topics: Similes for Upset
It was Monday morning, and Jordan already felt like a rainy Monday. He forgot his homework and missed the bus. When he got to school, he sat like a bird with a broken wing, not saying much. His best friend didn’t talk to him at lunch, and he felt like a toy left in the rain.
During math class, he stared at the board, feeling like a clock with no hands. Everything was confusing. He didn’t even try the quiz. By recess, he felt like a wilted balloon, dragging his feet as he walked outside. He sat on a bench like an empty playground, wishing the day would end.
Then he saw his friend laughing with someone else. That made him feel like a puzzle with a missing piece. He wanted to say something, but his voice was stuck like a silent bell. He walked away like a boat lost at sea.
When he got home, he told his sister about his day. She gave him a hug, but he still felt like a scarf in a storm. He sat on his bed, thinking about how it all went so wrong, feeling like a broken pencil.
Your Task:
Underline or list all 12 similes for upset you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Like a rainy Monday
- Like a bird with a broken wing
- Like a toy left in the rain
- Like a clock with no hands
- Like a wilted balloon
- Like an empty playground
- Like a puzzle with a missing piece
- Like a silent bell
- Like a boat lost at sea
- Like a scarf in a storm
- Like a broken pencil
- Like a story with no ending
Conclusion
When people feel upset, it can be hard to explain. Similes help show those feelings in a clear way. They make writing more interesting and help others understand what someone is going through. Saying someone feels like a puzzle with a missing piece or like a rainy Monday paints a stronger picture than just saying they are sad.
These similes can help you speak and write with more feeling. Next time you’re upset, try using one. It can make your message more powerful and easier for others to feel.
