Jealousy is a complicated feeling that everyone experiences at some point. When you’re jealous, it can feel like your heart is tangled up in knots and your thoughts won’t sit still. But sometimes, it’s hard to explain just how jealousy feels. That’s where similes come in.
Similes are powerful tools that compare emotions to everyday things using words like “like” or “as.” They make your feelings easier to understand and describe, especially when it’s something tricky like jealousy.
In this article, we’ll explore different similes for jealousy. Each simile paints a clear picture of what jealousy feels like inside. By the end, you’ll have some creative new ways to express feelings of jealousy in writing or conversations!
Similes for Jealousy
1. Jealous as a cat watching a bird outside the window
Meaning: Feeling strong longing and frustration from seeing something you want but can’t reach.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as a cat watching a bird outside the window when I saw my friend getting a new bike.
Other Ways to Say: Longing deeply, Frustrated with desire
2. Jealous as a kid without candy
Meaning: Feeling left out and wanting what others have.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a kid without candy while watching her classmates show off their new toys.
Other Ways to Say: Burning with envy, Craving badly
3. Jealous as a fish without water
Meaning: Feeling completely out of place and yearning for something essential.
In a Sentence: He felt jealous as a fish without water when he saw his teammates celebrating their win without him.
Other Ways to Say: Out of place, Hungry for acceptance
4. Jealous as a flower without sunlight
Meaning: Feeling sad and longing for what gives happiness or success.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a flower without sunlight while hearing about her cousin’s vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Yearning for attention, Missing the spotlight
5. Jealous as a wolf watching a feast
Meaning: Watching others enjoy what you desperately want.
In a Sentence: I stood there, jealous as a wolf watching a feast, while my friends opened their birthday presents.
Other Ways to Say: Burning with need, Eager and left out
6. Jealous as a crow eyeing a shiny object
Meaning: Craving something that caught your eye.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a crow eyeing a shiny object when he saw his neighbor’s new car.
Other Ways to Say: Greedy with envy, Eyeing with longing
7. Jealous as a bee without flowers
Meaning: Feeling aimless and deprived of something you value.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as a bee without flowers when my best friend got a promotion I wanted.
Other Ways to Say: Searching hungrily, Feeling incomplete
8. Jealous as a moth drawn to a flame
Meaning: Feeling irresistibly pulled toward something that isn’t yours.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a moth drawn to a flame every time she saw her brother win an award.
Other Ways to Say: Drawn by desire, Consumed by envy
9. Jealous as a storm brewing in the sky
Meaning: Feeling anger and jealousy building up inside.
In a Sentence: He felt jealous as a storm brewing in the sky when he found out about the secret party.
Other Ways to Say: Swelling with jealousy, Ready to explode
10. Jealous as a child left out of a game
Meaning: Feeling excluded and longing to be part of the fun.
In a Sentence: I was jealous as a child left out of a game when I wasn’t invited to the school trip.
Other Ways to Say: Left on the sidelines, Wishing to join
11. Jealous as a shadow chasing the sun
Meaning: Always chasing something you can never truly catch.
In a Sentence: She felt jealous as a shadow chasing the sun when she tried to keep up with her older sister’s achievements.
Other Ways to Say: Always yearning, Never satisfied
12. Jealous as a parrot without a mirror
Meaning: Feeling left out and craving attention or admiration.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a parrot without a mirror when everyone praised his best friend’s talents.
Other Ways to Say: Craving the spotlight, Needing attention
13. Jealous as a vine growing toward light
Meaning: Constantly reaching for something just out of grasp.
In a Sentence: I was jealous as a vine growing toward light when I heard about my cousin’s scholarship.
Other Ways to Say: Striving with envy, Stretching for recognition
14. Jealous as a deserted island watching ships sail by
Meaning: Feeling isolated and longing for connection.
In a Sentence: She felt jealous as a deserted island watching ships sail by when her friends made plans without her.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling abandoned, Craving inclusion
15. Jealous as a drum without a beat
Meaning: Feeling empty and out of rhythm when others succeed.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a drum without a beat when his brother made the soccer team.
Other Ways to Say: Missing the excitement, Out of sync
16. Jealous as a bird with clipped wings
Meaning: Feeling restricted and longing for freedom others enjoy.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as a bird with clipped wings while watching my friends travel abroad.
Other Ways to Say: Yearning for freedom, Longing to soar
17. Jealous as a fireplace without fire
Meaning: Feeling empty and lacking warmth compared to others.
In a Sentence: She felt jealous as a fireplace without fire when her friend’s family celebrated together.
Other Ways to Say: Missing the warmth, Feeling cold inside
18. Jealous as an empty jar beside a full one
Meaning: Comparing yourself to someone who seems to have everything.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as an empty jar beside a full one seeing my classmates win awards.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling empty, Comparing constantly
19. Jealous as a boat without a sail
Meaning: Feeling stuck while others move forward.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a boat without a sail when all his friends got accepted to college.
Other Ways to Say: Stranded with envy, Wishing for momentum
20. Jealous as a mirror with no reflection
Meaning: Feeling invisible while others shine.
In a Sentence: She felt jealous as a mirror with no reflection during her sister’s big performance.
Other Ways to Say: Overlooked, Wishing to be seen
21. Jealous as a garden without rain
Meaning: Feeling dry and overlooked when others thrive.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as a garden without rain watching my friend’s success bloom.
Other Ways to Say: Withering with envy, Craving growth
22. Jealous as a cat eyeing a cozy spot
Meaning: Wanting something someone else has.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a cat eyeing a cozy spot when his friend found the best seat in class.
Other Ways to Say: Coveting eagerly, Craving comfort
23. Jealous as a locked door watching others pass through
Meaning: Feeling stuck while others move forward freely.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a locked door watching others pass through when her classmates went on a trip without her.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling trapped, Longing for freedom
24. Jealous as a wilted flower in a vibrant garden
Meaning: Feeling overshadowed by others’ brightness.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as a wilted flower in a vibrant garden at my cousin’s wedding.
Other Ways to Say: Fading beside others, Feeling dull
25. Jealous as a clock without hands
Meaning: Feeling lost and left behind while others move with purpose.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a clock without hands seeing his friends plan their futures.
Other Ways to Say: Directionless with envy, Stuck in time
26. Jealous as a kite without wind
Meaning: Having the desire to soar but lacking what you need.
In a Sentence: She felt jealous as a kite without wind while her best friend got all the attention.
Other Ways to Say: Hopelessly longing, Wanting a lift
27. Jealous as a lantern without a flame
Meaning: Feeling dim next to others’ brightness.
In a Sentence: I was jealous as a lantern without a flame standing next to my talented teammates.
Other Ways to Say: Dim with envy, Wanting to shine
28. Jealous as an empty nest
Meaning: Feeling abandoned and left wishing for something lost.
In a Sentence: He felt jealous as an empty nest when his brother left for college and started a new life.
Other Ways to Say: Longing for connection, Missing belonging
29. Jealous as a cloud covering the sun
Meaning: Letting envy block happiness.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a cloud covering the sun when her sister got all the praise.
Other Ways to Say: Darkened by envy, Casting a shadow
30. Jealous as a dog behind a fence
Meaning: Watching others have fun while feeling stuck on the outside.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as a dog behind a fence when my friends went to the concert without me.
Other Ways to Say: Barking with envy, Left behind
31. Jealous as a tree without roots
Meaning: Feeling unstable and longing for the support that others have.
In a Sentence: He felt jealous as a tree without roots seeing his friends supported by their families.
Other Ways to Say: Unanchored with envy, Wishing for stability
32. Jealous as a candle without a wick
Meaning: Having the potential but feeling unable to shine like others.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a candle without a wick when her brother got all the attention at the party.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling powerless, Unable to glow
33. Jealous as a puppy without a toy
Meaning: Feeling left out and wanting the fun others have.
In a Sentence: I was jealous as a puppy without a toy when my friends all got new bikes.
Other Ways to Say: Longing for fun, Feeling left behind
34. Jealous as a snowflake melting in the sun
Meaning: Feeling like you’re fading away while others thrive.
In a Sentence: He felt jealous as a snowflake melting in the sun when his classmates got awards.
Other Ways to Say: Dissolving with envy, Fading fast
35. Jealous as a bird stuck in a cage
Meaning: Feeling trapped while others enjoy freedom.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a bird stuck in a cage when her friends traveled without her.
Other Ways to Say: Longing to escape, Yearning for freedom
36. Jealous as a rose without petals
Meaning: Feeling incomplete and wishing for beauty or success.
In a Sentence: I was jealous as a rose without petals seeing my cousin’s perfect wedding day.
Other Ways to Say: Missing something special, Feeling bare
37. Jealous as a painting without colors
Meaning: Feeling dull and ordinary compared to vibrant success around you.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a painting without colors when she saw her friends wearing beautiful outfits.
Other Ways to Say: Lacking sparkle, Wanting to stand out
38. Jealous as a mountain overshadowed by a taller peak
Meaning: Feeling small next to someone else’s greatness.
In a Sentence: He felt jealous as a mountain overshadowed by a taller peak when his teammate won MVP.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden by others, Feeling small
39. Jealous as a window without a view
Meaning: Feeling trapped and unable to experience what others can.
In a Sentence: She was jealous as a window without a view when she missed the school trip.
Other Ways to Say: Blocked off, Wishing for new sights
40. Jealous as a dry sponge next to a full bucket
Meaning: Feeling empty while others are overflowing with good things.
In a Sentence: I was jealous as a dry sponge next to a full bucket seeing my best friend’s achievements.
Other Ways to Say: Thirsty for success, Craving more
41. Jealous as a clock ticking alone
Meaning: Feeling left behind as others move on.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a clock ticking alone when all his friends started new relationships.
Other Ways to Say: Left ticking, Alone with envy
42. Jealous as a flame without air
Meaning: Struggling to survive while watching others thrive.
In a Sentence: She felt jealous as a flame without air hearing about her friend’s new opportunities.
Other Ways to Say: Suffocating with envy, Needing space to grow
43. Jealous as a playground without children
Meaning: Feeling empty and forgotten when others find joy elsewhere.
In a Sentence: I felt jealous as a playground without children when my friends made new friends.
Other Ways to Say: Deserted with envy, Missing the fun
44. Jealous as a moon hidden by clouds
Meaning: Feeling blocked from showing your full potential.
In a Sentence: He was jealous as a moon hidden by clouds during the talent show.
Other Ways to Say: Obscured by envy, Dimmed and longing
45. Jealous as a star wishing to shine brighter
Meaning: Wanting desperately to outshine others.
In a Sentence: She felt jealous as a star wishing to shine brighter seeing her friend in the spotlight.
Other Ways to Say: Reaching for glory, Craving the limelight
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks:
- When I saw my friend get the award, I was jealous as a _______ watching a feast.
- She felt jealous as a _______ without sunlight during the school assembly.
- He was jealous as a _______ eyeing a cozy spot when the best seat was taken.
- Watching my friends leave for the trip, I was jealous as a _______ behind a fence.
- She was jealous as a _______ with clipped wings seeing her sister travel.
- I felt jealous as a _______ melting in the sun when my classmates won prizes.
- He stood there, jealous as a _______ chasing the sun, unable to catch up.
- She was jealous as a _______ overshadowed by a taller peak during the awards ceremony.
- I was jealous as a _______ without a wick when everyone else performed.
- After missing the summer party, I was jealous as a _______ without a view.
Answers
wolf, flower, cat, dog, bird, snowflake, shadow, mountain, candle, window
Conclusion
Similes make it so much easier to describe feelings like jealousy, especially when words alone aren’t enough. Comparing jealousy to familiar things — like a locked door or a bird without wings — helps show just how real and strong that feeling can be. Keep practicing these similes, and soon you’ll have a whole new way to express emotions in a creative and powerful way!
