Crying is a part of being human. Tears show our feelings when words seem too small. They can rush out fast or fall slowly, each drop telling a story.
This article shares fifty similes that compare crying to familiar sights and sounds. Each comparison helps paint a clear picture of tears and sorrow. By the end, you’ll have fresh ways to describe every shade of sadness.
Similes for Crying
1. Crying like rain from a stormy cloud
Meaning: Shedding many tears all at once, just as heavy rain pours from thick clouds.
In a Sentence: When the movie ended, I was crying like rain from a stormy cloud, my cheeks soaked while my shoulders shook softly for a long moment.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping buckets, Pouring tears
2. Crying like a faucet left running
Meaning: Tears flowing nonstop, similar to water that keeps pouring from an open tap.
In a Sentence: He waited by the door, crying like a faucet left running, each tear sliding down in one endless, steady stream across his chin.
Other Ways to Say: Streaming tears, Flowing eyes
3. Crying like a lonely wolf at night
Meaning: Letting out sad, haunting cries the way a wolf howls under the moon.
In a Sentence: After her friend moved away, she sat on her bed crying like a lonely wolf at night, her sobs echoing through the quiet house.
Other Ways to Say: Howling with grief, Wailing loudly
4. Crying like wind through broken windows
Meaning: Sobs whistling and shaky, much like wind sneaks through cracks in old glass.
In a Sentence: His voice trembled, crying like wind through broken windows, each breath catching as tears slipped out.
Other Ways to Say: Shuddering sobs, Quivering cries
5. Crying like thunder without lightning
Meaning: Loud, rumbling sobs that come suddenly, even when no clear reason is seen.
In a Sentence: The child burst out, crying like thunder without lightning, startling everyone in the silent room with deep, rolling wails.
Other Ways to Say: Booming tears, Roaring weeps
6. Crying like a river meeting the sea
Meaning: Continuous tears that seem endless and unstoppable.
In a Sentence: Memories flooded her mind and she was crying like a river meeting the sea, her tears mixing freely with the salty air.
Other Ways to Say: Flooding with sorrow, Endless tears
7. Crying like leaves in a hard rain
Meaning: Shaking and dripping, just as leaves tremble when heavy drops hit them.
In a Sentence: He stood outside, crying like leaves in a hard rain, his shoulders fluttering while tears pelted the front of his coat.
Other Ways to Say: Shivering sobs, Trembling tears
8. Crying like ice melting under sun
Meaning: Slow, steady tears that quietly glide downward.
In a Sentence: She stared at the old photo, crying like ice melting under sun, each tear sliding silently before falling away.
Other Ways to Say: Silent weeping, Gentle tears
9. Crying like a broken violin’s song
Meaning: Sobs sounding cracked and mournful, similar to a damaged violin’s squeak.
In a Sentence: His throat tightened, crying like a broken violin’s song, the sound thin yet full of pain as it filled the room.
Other Ways to Say: Squeaking sobs, Discordant cries
10. Crying like waves crashing on rocks
Meaning: Strong, repeated sobs hitting in bursts.
In a Sentence: She could not hold back, crying like waves crashing on rocks, each sob slamming out then drawing back only to rise again.
Other Ways to Say: Surging tears, Breaker sobs
11. Crying like a candle dripping wax
Meaning: Slow tears that slide down in thick drops.
In a Sentence: By the dim light, he was crying like a candle dripping wax, single tears forming slowly before falling down his chin.
Other Ways to Say: Dripping sorrow, Thick tears
12. Crying like a sky without stars
Meaning: Quiet, endless grief that feels empty and dark.
In a Sentence: She sat alone, crying like a sky without stars, her face turned away as still tears kept falling into her lap.
Other Ways to Say: Dark weeping, Starless sobs
13. Crying like a lost bird calling home
Meaning: Tearful sounds filled with yearning and searching.
In a Sentence: He whispered her name, crying like a lost bird calling home, hope and hurt tangled together in every shaky breath.
Other Ways to Say: Yearning cries, Searching sobs
14. Crying like rain on a tin roof
Meaning: Quick, tapping tears that come in spurts.
In a Sentence: The memories struck hard and he was crying like rain on a tin roof, each sob tapping out loudly then dying down before the next.
Other Ways to Say: Pattering tears, Rattling sobs
15. Crying like a dam finally breaking
Meaning: Holding back emotions until they burst out all at once.
In a Sentence: She tried to smile, yet ended up crying like a dam finally breaking, tears flooding her cheeks faster than she could wipe them away.
Other Ways to Say: Burst of grief, Overflowing sorrow
16. Crying like midnight trains in the distance
Meaning: Long, low, echoing sobs that carry far.
In a Sentence: He covered his face, crying like midnight trains in the distance, the sound low yet stretching through every corner of the house.
Other Ways to Say: Lonesome weeping, Echoing tears
17. Crying like autumn clouds losing color
Meaning: Soft, steady tears that feel inevitable and natural.
In a Sentence: The goodbye felt final, and she was crying like autumn clouds losing color, quiet drops slipping down as the day faded gray.
Other Ways to Say: Fading sobs, Pale tears
18. Crying like morning dew on grass
Meaning: Small, glistening tears that appear quietly but cover everything.
In a Sentence: I stood by the window, crying like morning dew on grass, each tiny tear catching the first light as it gathered on my lashes before sliding away in a silver trail.
Other Ways to Say: Dew-bright tears, Shimmering sobs
19. Crying like a cracked bell at dawn
Meaning: Clear, ringing sobs that feel sharp and haunting.
In a Sentence: The news echoed in my ears and I was crying like a cracked bell at dawn, every shaky breath chiming with pain and hanging in the still air long after the sound was made.
Other Ways to Say: Ringing weeps, Echoed sorrow
20. Crying like a sapling bent by wind
Meaning: Tears that sway with each breath, fragile yet persistent.
In a Sentence: She clutched her notebook, crying like a sapling bent by wind, her body rocking gently as thin streams of emotion curved down her cheeks.
Other Ways to Say: Swaying sobs, Bending grief
21. Crying like snow melting on warm hands
Meaning: Quiet tears that vanish almost as soon as they appear.
In a Sentence: He smiled sadly, crying like snow melting on warm hands, the drops disappearing into his skin before anyone else could see them fall.
Other Ways to Say: Vanishing tears, Soft weeping
22. Crying like a kettle left to whistle
Meaning: High-pitched sobs that grow louder until released.
In a Sentence: The tension broke and she was crying like a kettle left to whistle, her voice rising in a thin, urgent wail before falling into shaky silence.
Other Ways to Say: Screeching sobs, Shrill cries
23. Crying like petals falling from a rose
Meaning: Slow, graceful tears that drop one by one.
In a Sentence: At the farewell, he was crying like petals falling from a rose, each tear slipping down in soft arcs that felt both tender and heartbreaking.
Other Ways to Say: Petal-soft tears, Gentle sobs
24. Crying like a lighthouse in thick fog
Meaning: Steady, guiding sobs that cut through confusion.
In a Sentence: Though her voice quivered, she kept speaking, crying like a lighthouse in thick fog, each word shining through the haze of grief to reach listening hearts.
Other Ways to Say: Beacon tears, Guiding weeps
25. Crying like ink bleeding through paper
Meaning: Tears that spread and stain everything they touch.
In a Sentence: Memories bled across his mind and he was crying like ink bleeding through paper, dark tracks soaking deeper no matter how quickly he wiped them away.
Other Ways to Say: Staining sorrow, Seeping tears
26. Crying like glass cracking under heat
Meaning: Sudden, splintering sobs that sound fragile and sharp.
In a Sentence: The secret spilled and she was crying like glass cracking under heat, her voice splintering into tiny shards that cut the stillness around us.
Other Ways to Say: Shattering cries, Fractured weeping
27. Crying like soft earth after a drought
Meaning: First tears after long restraint, soaking in fast.
In a Sentence: After months of calm, he was crying like soft earth after a drought, every tear sinking deep and darkening the surface of his guarded face.
Other Ways to Say: Thirsty tears, Parched sobs quenched
28. Crying like a moon pulling at the tide
Meaning: Tears that come in steady, rhythmic waves.
In a Sentence: She exhaled slowly, crying like a moon pulling at the tide, each sob rising, cresting, and retreating only to return with quiet force.
Other Ways to Say: Tidal tears, Rhythmic weeping
29. Crying like sparks in falling ash
Meaning: Brief, bright flashes of tears amid dull sadness.
In a Sentence: He laughed once then broke, crying like sparks in falling ash, tiny glittering drops flickering in the gray hush of his exhaustion.
Other Ways to Say: Flicker sobs, Ember tears
30. Crying like shutters banging in wind
Meaning: Repeated, jarring sobs that hit hard and sudden.
In a Sentence: The argument echoed and she was crying like shutters banging in wind, every gasp slamming out then rattling back on a hinge of hurt.
Other Ways to Say: Clattering weeps, Sudden cries
31. Crying like tea leaves swirling in hot water
Meaning: Tears that stir gently yet cloud everything around.
In a Sentence: He stared into space, crying like tea leaves swirling in hot water, emotions steeping until the clear moment turned murky with feeling.
Other Ways to Say: Steeping sorrow, Infusing tears
32. Crying like roots searching for rain
Meaning: Deep, quiet grief that reaches far inside.
In a Sentence: Her eyes stayed down, crying like roots searching for rain, silent streams tracing paths no one else could see but everyone could feel.
Other Ways to Say: Buried weeping, Seeking tears
33. Crying like lanterns flickering in wind
Meaning: Unsteady sobs that waver yet keep glowing.
In a Sentence: He held the letter tight, crying like lanterns flickering in wind, each breath nearly blowing the light out but never quite snuffing it.
Other Ways to Say: Wavering sobs, Shimmer tears
34. Crying like pages torn from a book
Meaning: Raw, ripping sobs that feel like pieces being pulled away.
In a Sentence: The truth hit and she was crying like pages torn from a book, every sob sounding like another story ripped free and fluttering to the floor.
Other Ways to Say: Ripping grief, Ragged tears
35. Crying like a mirror fogging after a hot shower
Meaning: Tears spreading in a thin, misty layer that hides true reflection.
In a Sentence: She stared at herself, crying like a mirror fogging after a hot shower, the moist blur masking her features until only a hazy outline of grief remained across the glass.
Other Ways to Say: Misty tears, Veiled sorrow
36. Crying like a clock losing its ticking
Meaning: Soft, broken sobs that slow down and skip beats.
In a Sentence: His words faltered, and he was crying like a clock losing its ticking, every sob a missed beat that left the room hanging in uneasy silence.
Other Ways to Say: Stuttering weeps, Hesitant tears
37. Crying like shadows stretching at sunset
Meaning: Tears that grow longer and darker as time passes.
In a Sentence: She waited by the door, crying like shadows stretching at sunset, each tear drawing a deeper line across her face while the day slipped away.
Other Ways to Say: Lengthening sorrow, Dusky sobs
38. Crying like a wind chime without wind
Meaning: Silent tears that wait to be shaken loose.
In a Sentence: He held still, crying like a wind chime without wind, the tears clinging quietly until a single breath set them trembling down his cheeks.
Other Ways to Say: Quiet weeping, Waiting tears
39. Crying like bread dough pushed too hard
Meaning: Tearful breakdown after steady pressure, soft yet undeniable.
In a Sentence: With each demand she wilted, crying like bread dough pushed too hard, her spirit folding inward while tears squeezed through every tiny crack.
Other Ways to Say: Kneaded grief, Pressed sobs
40. Crying like a cracked dam under moonlight
Meaning: Hidden tears that seep through small faults until night reveals them.
In a Sentence: Alone in darkness, he was crying like a cracked dam under moonlight, silver streaks curling down unnoticed walls of composure.
Other Ways to Say: Seeping sorrow, Midnight weeps
41. Crying like frost thawing on spring glass
Meaning: Tears that drip steadily as cold restraint warms away.
In a Sentence: Hearing the song again, she was crying like frost thawing on spring glass, each drop sliding down in slow, glistening trails of release.
Other Ways to Say: Thawing tears, Warming sobs
42. Crying like a stalled engine coughing to life
Meaning: Jagged sobs sputtering before flowing smoothly.
In a Sentence: He tried to speak, crying like a stalled engine coughing to life, each shaky gasp lurching forward until tears finally ran without pause.
Other Ways to Say: Sputtering cries, Jerking weeps
43. Crying like pen ink pooling at the nib
Meaning: Tears collecting heavily before dropping in dark spots.
In a Sentence: Her apology wavered, crying like pen ink pooling at the nib, emotion gathering thickly before falling in pronounced, darkened drops.
Other Ways to Say: Inky tears, Pooling sorrow
44. Crying like a lantern running out of oil
Meaning: Dimming sobs that flicker weaker as energy drains.
In a Sentence: After hours of worry, he was crying like a lantern running out of oil, every fresh tear smaller than the last while the glow of resistance faded to a faint glimmer.
Other Ways to Say: Dwindling weeps, Fading grief
45. Crying like sand slipping through fingers
Meaning: Tears escaping too quickly to hold back.
In a Sentence: She clenched her fists, crying like sand slipping through fingers, unable to keep any grain of sorrow from trickling away in shining streams.
Other Ways to Say: Unstoppable tears, Cascading sobs
46. Crying like fireworks without color
Meaning: Loud bursts of emotion that lack joy.
In a Sentence: The memories exploded and he was crying like fireworks without color, sharp pops of sobs bursting in the dark yet leaving no bright sparkle behind.
Other Ways to Say: Colorless cries, Hollow bursts
47. Crying like roots torn from fertile earth
Meaning: Deep, wrenching tears that feel uprooted and raw.
In a Sentence: The sudden loss hit hard, and she was crying like roots torn from fertile earth, every sob yanking something essential loose inside her chest.
Other Ways to Say: Uprooted weeping, Raw sorrow
48. Crying like stars swallowed by dawn
Meaning: Tears fading slowly as hope of night disappears.
In a Sentence: He sighed at sunrise, crying like stars swallowed by dawn, each tear dimming until only pale streaks of sadness lingered in the growing light.
Other Ways to Say: Fading tears, Vanishing sobs
49. Crying like a lighthouse with no keeper
Meaning: Guideless, lonely sobs that circle endlessly.
In a Sentence: She wrapped her arms around herself, crying like a lighthouse with no keeper, the revolving beam of grief sweeping over empty waters again and again.
Other Ways to Say: Lonely weeping, Untended tears
50. Crying like echoes inside an empty hall
Meaning: Sobs that bounce back, filling silence with repeated pain.
In a Sentence: When the door closed, he was crying like echoes inside an empty hall, every sound of sorrow returning to him larger than before, reverberating through the still air.
Other Ways to Say: Resonant cries, Reverberating tears
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks:
- After reading the sad letter, I was crying like a _______ left running.
- She hugged her pillow, crying like petals _______ from a rose.
- He slumped in his chair, crying like a _______ losing its ticking.
- When the team lost, the fans were crying like waves _______ on rocks.
- I waited at the station, crying like midnight _______ in the distance.
- She whispered goodbye, crying like frost _______ on spring glass.
- He dropped the cup, crying like glass _______ under heat.
- The memory returned, and I was crying like sand slipping _______ fingers.
- They listened quietly, crying like a kettle left to _______.
- She stood in the rain, crying like a _______ without stars.
Answers
faucet, falling, clock, crashing, trains, thawing, cracking, through, whistle, sky
Conclusion
Similes turn plain description into vivid imagery, letting readers feel every tear as if it were their own. Whether you are crying like a mirror fogging after a hot shower or like echoes inside an empty hall, these comparisons offer fresh, expressive ways to share sorrow. Keep practicing, and your writing will capture each emotion with clear, powerful detail.
