Similes are figures of speech that compare two different things using the words “like” or “as.”
To write a simile, choose two unlike things and compare them directly using “like” or “as” to highlight a shared quality or characteristic.
A simile for death, for example, might be that “death was as sudden and stealthy as a serpent’s strike”.
About the Author: Chris Drew has a PhD in Education. He has been a teacher in schools and universities and has taught English as a Second Language in Colombia. He is former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education.Similes for Death
1. It is as Silent as the Night
Meaning: This simile implies that death comes quietly and unnoticed, just like the transition from evening to night.
In a sentence: “When he passed away, it was as silent as the night, with no warning or farewell.”
2. It is as Inevitable as the Sunset
Meaning: This illustrates the inevitability and natural occurrence of death, similar to how the sunset cannot be avoided.
In a sentence: “Death, as inevitable as the sunset, comes to us all.”
3. Death is as Cold as Ice
Meaning: This simile implies that death is emotionless and chilling in its finality.
In a sentence: “Her passing was as cold as ice, leaving a void that nothing could warm.”
See Also: Metaphors for Death
4. It is like a Stealthy Thief
Meaning: This means that death can come unexpectedly and quietly, much like a thief sneaking in unnoticed.
In a sentence: “Death came as stealthy as a thief in the night, taking him from us without a whisper.”
5. It is as Mysterious as the Ocean Depths
Meaning: This implies that death holds an unfathomable and elusive quality, similar to the unexplored depths of the ocean.
In a sentence: “Her demise was as mysterious as the ocean depths, with secrets forever untold.”
6. Death is like a a Falling Leaf
Meaning: This implies that death can be peaceful and soft, akin to a leaf gently falling from a tree.
In a sentence: “His death was as gentle as a falling leaf, without suffering or struggle.”
See Also: Idioms for Death
7. Death is as Unyielding as Stone
Meaning: This simile suggests that death is unchangeable and resistant to any attempts to prevent it, similar to the immovable nature of stone.
In a sentence: “Facing his fate, he realized that death was as unyielding as stone.”
8. It is as Sudden as a Bolt of Lightning
Meaning: This illustrates that death can occur unexpectedly and instantly, just like a sudden bolt of lightning.
In a sentence: “His end came as sudden as a bolt of lightning, with no time for goodbyes.”
9. It is as Permanent as a Mountain
Meaning: This simile conveys the permanence and immovability of death, akin to the enduring existence of mountains.
In a sentence: “Once it arrives, death is as permanent as a mountain, immovable and forever shaping the landscape of our memories.”
10. It is as Ephemeral as a Rainbow
Meaning: This implies that death is a transient and temporary phase, similar to the fleeting existence of a rainbow.
In a sentence: “She saw death as ephemeral as a rainbow, a passing into the next beautiful chapter of existence.”
11. It is like an Unforgiving Winter
Meaning: This indicates that death, like harsh winter, shows no mercy or leniency.
In a sentence: “The tragedy struck them with a death as unforgiving as winter.”
12. Death is as Distant as the Horizon
Meaning: This implies that death can seem far away and unattainable until it occurs.
In a sentence: “For the youth, death seems as distant as the horizon.”
13. Death is as Relentless as the Tide
Meaning: It signifies that death, like the tide, is persistent and unstoppable.
In a sentence: “In old age, death approached as relentless as the tide.”
14. It is as Inescapable as Shadows
Meaning: This means that death is unavoidable and always looming, similar to how shadows persistently follow objects.
In a sentence: “No matter how he fought, death was as inescapable as shadows.”
15. Death is as Peaceful as a Dove
Meaning: This implies that death can bring tranquility and serenity, like the symbolic peace associated with a dove.
In a sentence: “Her spirit departed, death as peaceful as a dove.”
16. It is like a Dark Abyss
Meaning: This suggests that death can be an ominous and deeply enigmatic event like an unfathomable abyss.
In a sentence: “Facing his mortality, he peered into a death as dark as the abyss.”
17. It is as Random as a Lottery
Meaning: This signifies that death can strike anyone at any time, without discernible reason, much like random lottery results.
In a sentence: “Death, as random as a lottery, claimed him in his prime.”
18. Death is as Welcome as Spring
Meaning: This implies that death can sometimes be a welcome relief, just like the pleasant arrival of spring.
In a sentence: “After years of suffering, death was as welcome as spring.”
19. It is as Unnoticed as a Fading Star
Meaning: This means that death can go unnoticed and unacknowledged, like a star that fades away in the vastness of the night sky.
In a sentence: “In the bustling city, his death was as unnoticed as a fading star.”
20. Death is as Painless as Sleep
Meaning: This suggests that death can be a smooth and untroubled transition, akin to drifting into sleep.
In a sentence: “In the end, his death was as painless as sleep.”
21. It is as Abundant as Leaves in Fall
Meaning: This means that death is as common and natural as leaves falling in the autumn.
In a sentence: “In the battlefield, death was as abundant as leaves in fall.”
22. It is as Timeless as the Sky
Meaning: This implies that death is an eternal and infinite condition, much like the seemingly endless sky.
In a sentence: “Death, as timeless as the sky, witnessed the passage of epochs.”
23. Death is as Evasive as Smoke
Meaning: This signifies that death can be elusive and difficult to fully comprehend or grasp, akin to trying to hold onto smoke.
In a sentence: “Despite his pursuits, the understanding of it remained, death as evasive as smoke.”
24. Death is as Quiet as Snowfall
Meaning: This suggests that death can occur softly and silently, similar to snow gently falling to the ground.
In a sentence: “He passed in the night, his death as quiet as snowfall.”
25. Death is like Unseen as the Wind
Meaning: It implies that death, while visibly imperceptible, exerts a noticeable and profound impact, much like the invisible yet powerful wind.
In a sentence: “His passing was as unseen as the wind, but it profoundly shook our world.”
Comprehension Quiz for Students
Question 1: What is a common feature of all similes discussed in the provided information?
A) They all provide a negative perspective on death
B) They all compare death to different aspects or phenomena using “like” or “as”
C) They all avoid using any figurative language
D) They only compare death to natural phenomena
Question 2: According to the simile, “Death as Inescapable as Shadows,” what is the inherent quality of death that’s being highlighted?
A) Its tranquility and serenity
B) Its inevitability and omnipresence
C) Its darkness and mystery
D) Its pain and suffering
Question 3: Which of the following similes implies that death can sometimes be a welcome and relieving event?
A) Death as Distant as the Horizon
B) Death as Relentless as the Tide
C) Death as Welcome as Spring
D) Death as Ephemeral as a Rainbow
Question 4: In the simile, “Death as Unnoticed as a Fading Star,” what does a fading star represent?
A) The suddenness of death
B) The unnoticed or unacknowledged passing of someone
C) The brightness and illumination brought by death
D) The eternal and infinite condition of death