Fear is a powerful emotion. Whether in horror stories, thrillers, or even daily life, the way we describe something scary can make all the difference.
But simply saying “It was scary” isn’t enough. Similes—comparisons using “like” or “as”—help bring fear to life by making it more vivid and relatable.
Instead of saying, “The night was dark and frightening,” you can say, “The night was as dark as a bottomless pit, swallowing all hope.” That’s the magic of similes!
In this blog, we’ll explore 35 chilling similes for scary things, categorized into different types of fear—from eerie atmospheres to terrifying creatures. Whether you’re writing a horror story, setting a spooky mood, or just love the thrill of fear, these similes will help!
Similes for Darkness and Shadows
Darkness is one of the most common fears. These similes capture its eerie presence.
1. As dark as a bottomless pit
2. Like a suffocating black curtain
- Meaning: Describes darkness that feels overwhelming and inescapable.
- Example: The power went out, and the room became like a suffocating black curtain, swallowing every hint of light.
3. As eerie as an abandoned graveyard
- Meaning: Describes an unsettling, ghostly atmosphere.
- Example: The silence in the house was as eerie as an abandoned graveyard, making my skin crawl.
4. Like a shadow creeping over your shoulder
- Meaning: Describes a sense of something lurking nearby.
- Example: A cold fear settled in my chest, like a shadow creeping over my shoulder.
5. As black as the devil’s soul
- Meaning: Describes darkness that feels evil and menacing.
- Example: The tunnel stretched ahead as black as the devil’s soul, with no end in sight.
Similes for Creepy Sounds
Certain sounds send shivers down our spines. These similes bring them to life.
6. Like a whisper from the grave
- Meaning: Describes a faint, unsettling sound.
- Example: The wind howled through the trees like a whisper from the grave, chilling me to the bone.
7. As piercing as a banshee’s scream
- Meaning: Describes a high-pitched, terrifying noise.
- Example: The alarm shrieked as piercing as a banshee’s scream, making my heart race.
8. Like footsteps echoing in an empty hallway
- Meaning: Describes a sound that feels ominous and mysterious.
- Example: The house settled with strange creaks like footsteps echoing in an empty hallway.
9. As sudden as a gunshot in the night
- Meaning: Describes a noise that comes out of nowhere, causing fear.
- Example: A branch snapped in the woods as sudden as a gunshot in the night, making me jump.
10. Like a child laughing in the dark
- Meaning: Describes an innocent sound that becomes creepy in the wrong setting.
- Example: The old music box played a tune like a child laughing in the dark, sending shivers down my spine.
Similes for Scary Creatures
From ghosts to monsters, these similes capture the horror of terrifying beings.
11. As silent as a spider stalking its prey
- Meaning: Describes something moving quietly and ominously.
- Example: The figure in the doorway stood as silent as a spider stalking its prey, waiting in the shadows.
12. Like a vampire thirsting for blood
- Meaning: Describes an intense, predatory hunger or evil intent.
- Example: His eyes gleamed like a vampire thirsting for blood, filled with darkness.
13. As grotesque as a nightmare brought to life
- Meaning: Describes something horrifyingly unnatural.
- Example: The creature crawled from the shadows, as grotesque as a nightmare brought to life.
14. Like a demon lurking in the dark
- Meaning: Describes an unseen but terrifying presence.
- Example: The room felt heavy, like a demon lurking in the dark, watching and waiting.
15. As soulless as a doll’s glass eyes
- Meaning: Describes something that lacks life or emotion, making it unsettling.
- Example: The mask stared back at me, as soulless as a doll’s glass eyes, cold and lifeless.
Similes for Fear and Panic
Fear affects the body and mind in powerful ways. These similes describe the sensation of being truly afraid.
16. Like ice running through my veins
- Meaning: Describes the chilling effect of terror.
- Example: As I heard the whisper behind me, it felt like ice running through my veins.
17. As paralyzing as a snake’s stare
- Meaning: Describes fear so strong it prevents movement.
- Example: My feet refused to move, the fear as paralyzing as a snake’s stare.
18. Like a scream trapped in my throat
- Meaning: Describes the inability to react due to fear.
- Example: I wanted to run, but the terror held me like a scream trapped in my throat.
19. As suffocating as drowning in darkness
- Meaning: Describes overwhelming fear or panic.
- Example: The tension in the air was as suffocating as drowning in darkness, pressing in from all sides.
20. Like hands reaching out from the grave
- Meaning: Describes the feeling of being pulled into horror or danger.
- Example: The nightmare clung to me like hands reaching out from the grave, refusing to let go.
Similes for Haunted Places
Haunted locations have an air of dread. These similes set the scene.
21. As lifeless as a forgotten tomb
- Meaning: Describes a place that feels abandoned and eerie.
- Example: The house stood silent, as lifeless as a forgotten tomb, untouched for decades.
22. Like a door that opens by itself
- Meaning: Describes an unsettling, unexplained feeling.
- Example: The air was thick with unease, like a door that opens by itself.
23. As cursed as a witch’s spell
- Meaning: Describes something that feels doomed or haunted.
- Example: The land was as cursed as a witch’s spell, untouched by time but full of whispers.
24. Like a house that breathes in the night
- Meaning: Describes a place that feels strangely alive.
- Example: The old mansion felt like a house that breathes in the night, shifting and sighing.
25. As cold as a crypt
- Meaning: Describes an unnatural, chilling coldness.
- Example: The basement was as cold as a crypt, and just as silent.
Conclusion: Turning Fear into Words
Fear is a feeling, but with the right words, it becomes tangible, real, and unforgettable.
These 35 scary similes help bring horror to life in writing and storytelling.
Which simile scared you the most? Or do you have a creepy one to add? Let me know in the comments! 😱👻
