Do Similes Use Like or As? 2026

Have you ever wondered how similes actually work and why they’re so popular in writing? Well, here’s a quick tip: similes are all about making comparisons, and they usually use “like” or “as” to do it.

They help your writing paint a picture, make ideas clearer, or even add a fun twist. Whether you’re writing poetry, stories, or just trying to spice up your sentences, knowing when to use “like” or “as” is super important.

In this guide, we’ll break it down in a simple, friendly way so it’s easy to understand and use. By the end, you’ll be spotting similes everywhere and maybe even using them like a pro!

35 Do Similes Use Like or As

Below are 35 clear similes that show how like and as work in real sentences.

1. As busy as a bee

Meaning: Very busy and active.
Definition: Uses as…as to compare equal qualities.
Usage:

She’s as busy as a bee during exam week.
He worked as busy as a bee all morning.
Similar Phrases: very busy, nonstop working

2. Like a fish out of water

Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable.
Definition: Uses like to compare unlike things.
Usage:

I felt like a fish out of water on my first day.
She looked like a fish out of water at the party.
Similar Phrases: out of place, uncomfortable

3. As clear as crystal

Meaning: Easy to understand.
Definition: Shows clarity using as…as.
Usage:

The rules were as clear as crystal.
His explanation stayed as clear as crystal.
Similar Phrases: very clear, obvious

4. Like lightning

Meaning: Extremely fast.
Definition: Compares speed using like.
Usage:

He ran like lightning.
The news spread like lightning.
Similar Phrases: very fast, rapid

5. As cold as ice

Meaning: Very cold or unemotional.
Definition: Equality comparison with as.
Usage:

Her hands were as cold as ice.
His reply sounded as cold as ice.
Similar Phrases: freezing, heartless

6. Like a mirror

Meaning: Reflecting clearly.
Definition: Direct comparison using like.
Usage:

The lake shone like a mirror.
Her eyes reflected truth like a mirror.
Similar Phrases: reflective, clear

7. As light as a feather

Meaning: Very light in weight.
Definition: Uses as…as structure.
Usage:

The bag felt as light as a feather.
His steps were as light as a feather.
Similar Phrases: weightless, light

8. Like a roaring lion

Meaning: Very loud or powerful.
Definition: Compares behavior using like.
Usage:

He shouted like a roaring lion.
The engine growled like a roaring lion.
Similar Phrases: loud, powerful

9. As smooth as silk

Meaning: Very smooth.
Definition: Equality comparison using as.
Usage:

Her voice sounded as smooth as silk.
The fabric felt as smooth as silk.
Similar Phrases: silky, soft

10. Like a broken record

Meaning: Repeating endlessly.
Definition: Uses like for repeated action.
Usage:

He complained like a broken record.
She repeated it like a broken record.
Similar Phrases: repetitive, nonstop

11. As brave as a lion

Meaning: Very courageous.
Definition: Equal comparison with as.
Usage:

She stood as brave as a lion.
He fought as brave as a lion.
Similar Phrases: fearless, bold

12. Like a child

Meaning: Innocent or playful.
Definition: Uses like to compare traits.
Usage:

He laughed like a child.
She waited like a child on Eid morning.
Similar Phrases: innocent, playful

13. As sharp as a knife

Meaning: Very intelligent or alert.
Definition: Uses as…as form.
Usage:

Her mind stayed as sharp as a knife.
He answered as sharp as a knife.
Similar Phrases: smart, alert

14. Like clockwork

Meaning: Happening regularly.
Definition: Comparison using like.
Usage:

The bus arrives like clockwork.
His calls come like clockwork.
Similar Phrases: regular, predictable

15. As quiet as a mouse

Meaning: Very quiet.
Definition: Equal comparison using as.
Usage:

The room stayed as quiet as a mouse.
He moved as quiet as a mouse.
Similar Phrases: silent, still

16. Like a storm

Meaning: With great force.
Definition: Uses like to show intensity.
Usage:

She entered like a storm.
The criticism hit like a storm.
Similar Phrases: forceful, intense

17. As sweet as honey

Meaning: Very kind or pleasant.
Definition: As…as equality structure.
Usage:

Her voice sounded as sweet as honey.
The gesture felt as sweet as honey.
Similar Phrases: kind, pleasant

18. Like a shadow

Meaning: Following closely.
Definition: Comparison using like.
Usage:

The dog followed like a shadow.
Fame trailed him like a shadow.
Similar Phrases: close behind, constant

19. As blind as a bat

Meaning: Unable to see clearly.
Definition: Equality comparison with as.
Usage:

Without glasses, I’m as blind as a bat.
He felt as blind as a bat in fog.
Similar Phrases: unable to see, blind

20. Like fire

Meaning: With passion or speed.
Definition: Uses like for intensity.
Usage:

The rumor spread like fire.
His anger burned like fire.
Similar Phrases: rapidly, intensely

21. As hard as nails

Meaning: Very tough.
Definition: Uses as…as.
Usage:

She’s as hard as nails.
The training was as hard as nails.
Similar Phrases: tough, strong

22. Like glass

Meaning: Very fragile.
Definition: Comparison using like.
Usage:

His confidence shattered like glass.
The vase broke like glass.
Similar Phrases: fragile, delicate

23. As free as a bird

Meaning: Completely free.
Definition: Equality comparison.
Usage:

After exams, I felt as free as a bird.
She traveled as free as a bird.
Similar Phrases: free, unrestrained

24. Like a magnet

Meaning: Attracting strongly.
Definition: Uses like to show attraction.
Usage:

The place drew tourists like a magnet.
His smile worked like a magnet.
Similar Phrases: attractive, appealing

25. As stubborn as a mule

Meaning: Very stubborn.
Definition: Uses as…as.
Usage:

He stayed as stubborn as a mule.
She argued as stubborn as a mule.
Similar Phrases: stubborn, unyielding

26. Like a dream

Meaning: Wonderful or unreal.
Definition: Comparison using like.
Usage:

The trip felt like a dream.
Her voice sounded like a dream.
Similar Phrases: amazing, unreal

27. As tall as a tree

Meaning: Very tall.
Definition: Equality comparison.
Usage:

He stood as tall as a tree.
The building rose as tall as a tree.
Similar Phrases: tall, towering

28. Like thunder

Meaning: Very loud.
Definition: Uses like for sound comparison.
Usage:

His voice boomed like thunder.
Applause rolled like thunder.
Similar Phrases: loud, booming

29. As steady as a rock

Meaning: Very stable.
Definition: As…as structure.
Usage:

She stayed as steady as a rock.
His hands were as steady as a rock.
Similar Phrases: stable, firm

30. Like silk

Meaning: Smooth or gentle.
Definition: Uses like.
Usage:

His words flowed like silk.
The music moved like silk.
Similar Phrases: smooth, soft

31. As quick as a flash

Meaning: Very fast.
Definition: Equality comparison.
Usage:

She answered as quick as a flash.
He reacted as quick as a flash.
Similar Phrases: fast, instant

32. Like a puzzle

Meaning: Hard to understand.
Definition: Comparison using like.
Usage:

His story felt like a puzzle.
The problem looked like a puzzle.
Similar Phrases: confusing, complex

33. As gentle as a lamb

Meaning: Very gentle.
Definition: As…as structure.
Usage:

She spoke as gentle as a lamb.
The teacher stayed as gentle as a lamb.
Similar Phrases: kind, soft

34. Like a rocket

Meaning: Extremely fast.
Definition: Uses like.
Usage:

He shot forward like a rocket.
Sales rose like a rocket.
Similar Phrases: fast, rapid

35. As bright as the sun

Meaning: Very bright or happy.
Definition: Equality comparison.
Usage:

Her smile shone as bright as the sun.
The future looked as bright as the sun.
Similar Phrases: cheerful, radiant

Practice Section (10 Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences)

She ran ___ fast as a flash.
He followed me ___ a shadow.
Her voice was ___ sweet as honey.
The news spread ___ fire.
He stayed ___ quiet as a mouse.
The lake looked ___ a mirror.
She felt ___ free as a bird.
His anger hit ___ thunder.
The rule was ___ clear as crystal.
He works ___ a machine.

Answer Section (10 Answers)

Conclusion

So, do similes use like or as? The answer is simple. Use “like” to compare things. Use “as” to compare actions or equal qualities. Once you spot the pattern, it clicks. From that moment on, similes feel easy, natural, and even fun.