Here are 35 vivid similies for darkness you can use: as deep as a void, like a moonless sky, as silent as shadows, and many more — each with meanings and examples below.
Similes are comparisons that use “like” or “as” to paint vivid mental pictures. They turn simple descriptions into emotionally rich expressions, making writing feel alive and deeply visual. Whether you’re a student, poet, storyteller, or someone who simply loves creative expression, similes help you communicate powerful feelings with clarity and beauty.
In this guide, you’ll find 35 evocative similies for darkness, each explained with meaning, a creative quoted line, and practical usage examples. These figurative comparisons help bring mystery, emotion, and atmosphere into your writing. You’ll learn not just the similes themselves, but when, where, and how to use them for maximum effect.
Let’s illuminate the shadows together.
1. As Dark as Midnight
Meaning: Represents intense, complete darkness with no light visible.
Quote: “The room was as dark as midnight, swallowing every shape.”
Examples:
- Her thoughts felt as dark as midnight.
- The forest grew as dark as midnight after the storm.
- The hallway turned as dark as midnight when the power failed.
2. Dark Like a Moonless Sky
Meaning: Suggests vast, endless, natural darkness without stars or moonlight.
Quote: “His eyes were dark like a moonless sky, wide and unknowable.”
Examples:
- The cave stretched dark like a moonless sky.
- Her mood turned dark like a moonless sky.
- The city blackout left streets dark like a moonless sky.
3. As Shadowy as an Abandoned Alley
Meaning: Implies unsettling, mysterious gloom.
Quote: “Her fear hid as shadowy as an abandoned alley.”
Examples:
- His plans felt as shadowy as an abandoned alley.
- The truth remained as shadowy as an abandoned alley.
- Memories appeared as shadowy as an abandoned alley.
4. Dark Like Ink Spreading on Water
Meaning: Represents darkness that widens or deepens slowly.
Quote: “Night folded in, dark like ink spreading on water.”
Examples:
- Her anger grew dark like ink spreading on water.
- His confusion spread dark like ink on water.
- The horizon turned dark like ink spilling.
5. As Deep as a Bottomless Pit
Meaning: Describes consuming, overwhelming darkness.
Quote: “Her grief felt as deep as a bottomless pit.”
Examples:
- The well seemed as deep as a bottomless pit.
- His secrets were as deep as a bottomless pit.
- The cave mouth looked as deep as a bottomless pit.
6. Dark Like a Black Cat in the Night
Meaning: Shows near-invisible darkness blending into surroundings.
Quote: “The shape slipped by like a black cat in the night.”
Examples:
- His smile vanished like a black cat in the night.
- The thief moved like a black cat in the night.
- Hope faded like a black cat in the night.
7. As Still as Shadowed Water
Meaning: Suggests quiet, unmoving darkness.
Quote: “The lake rested as still as shadowed water.”
Examples:
- Her expression stayed as still as shadowed water.
- His room felt as still as shadowed water.
- Their silence sat as still as shadowed water.
8. Dark Like a Closed Coffin
Meaning: Represents suffocating, confined darkness.
Quote: “The attic was dark like a closed coffin, tight and airless.”
Examples:
- His thoughts felt dark like a closed coffin.
- The tunnel was dark like a closed coffin.
- The basement sank dark like a closed coffin.
9. As Heavy as a Storm Cloud
Meaning: Describes thick, gloomy, emotional darkness.
Quote: “Her sadness hung as heavy as a storm cloud.”
Examples:
- His mood was as heavy as a storm cloud.
- The room felt as heavy as a storm cloud.
- Silence pressed as heavy as a storm cloud.
10. Dark Like a Blotted Candle
Meaning: Suggests sudden darkness after light is lost.
Quote: “Hope vanished like a blotted candle.”
Examples:
- The alley dimmed like a blotted candle.
- Her laughter died like a blotted candle.
- The hallway went dark like a blotted candle.
11. As Cold as a Shadowed Cave
Meaning: Implies darkness mixed with chill and eeriness.
Quote: “His stare was as cold as a shadowed cave.”
Examples:
- The cave was cold as a shadowed cave.
- Her silence felt as cold as a shadowed cave.
- His anger cooled as cold as a shadowed cave.
12. Dark Like a Forgotten Room
Meaning: Represents neglected, lonely darkness.
Quote: “Memory drifted dark like a forgotten room.”
Examples:
- His secrets were dark like a forgotten room.
- The attic smelled dark like a forgotten room.
- Her emotions hid dark like a forgotten room.
13. As Silent as a Shadow
Meaning: Indicates quiet, unnoticed darkness.
Quote: “Fear crept in as silent as a shadow.”
Examples:
- He moved as silent as a shadow.
- Guilt followed her as silent as a shadow.
- The night fell as silent as a shadow.
14. Dark Like Soot on Stone
Meaning: Conveys gritty, thick darkness.
Quote: “Anger coated his thoughts dark like soot on stone.”
Examples:
- The walls were dark like soot on stone.
- Her regret clung dark like soot.
- His mood settled dark like soot.
15. As Endless as a Starless Night
Meaning: Symbolizes vast, infinite darkness.
Quote: “Her loneliness felt as endless as a starless night.”
Examples:
- The desert grew endless as a starless night.
- His fear seemed endless as a starless night.
- The woods stretched endless as a starless night.
16. Dark Like a Forgotten Dream
Meaning: Reflects unclear, fading darkness.
Quote: “The memory drifted dark like a forgotten dream.”
Examples:
- His hope dimmed like a forgotten dream.
- Her joy slipped like a forgotten dream.
- His childhood faded like a forgotten dream.
17. As Quiet as a Blackened Forest
Meaning: Implies eerie, deep quietness.
Quote: “The field lay as quiet as a blackened forest.”
Examples:
- The room turned quiet as a blackened forest.
- Their home felt quiet as a blackened forest.
- Her fear grew quiet as a blackened forest.
18. Dark Like Nightfall After Fire
Meaning: Describes sudden, consuming darkness.
Quote: “Light vanished like nightfall after fire.”
Examples:
- Her hope faded like nightfall after fire.
- The path dimmed like nightfall after fire.
- Warmth vanished like nightfall after fire.
19. As Deep as a Cave’s Heart
Meaning: Reflects ancient, untouched darkness.
Quote: “His grief lay as deep as a cave’s heart.”
Examples:
- Her silence was deep as a cave’s heart.
- The well felt deep as a cave’s heart.
- Night pooled deep as a cave’s heart.
20. Dark Like Velvet Drapes
Meaning: Suggests soft, elegant darkness.
Quote: “His voice slipped into the room dark like velvet drapes.”
Examples:
- Her eyes were dark like velvet drapes.
- The atmosphere turned dark like velvet drapes.
- The stage fell dark like velvet.
21. As Murky as Old River Water
Meaning: Represents unclear, unsettling darkness.
Quote: “Truth drifted as murky as old river water.”
Examples:
- His memories grew murky as old river water.
- Her thoughts felt murky as old river water.
- The tale became murky as old river water.
22. Dark Like a Snuffed Lantern
Meaning: Shows quick loss of light or hope.
Quote: “Joy vanished dark like a snuffed lantern.”
Examples:
- The corridor dimmed like a snuffed lantern.
- Her dreams faded like a snuffed lantern.
- His courage dropped like a snuffed lantern.
23. As Heavy as Midnight Fog
Meaning: Symbolizes thick, oppressive darkness.
Quote: “Fear settled as heavy as midnight fog.”
Examples:
- His worries hung heavy as midnight fog.
- The woods felt heavy as midnight fog.
- Her dread grew heavy as midnight fog.
24. Dark Like Burnt Wood
Meaning: Implies rough, charred darkness.
Quote: “His expression hardened dark like burnt wood.”
Examples:
- The cabin walls were dark like burnt wood.
- Her desire dimmed like burnt wood.
- The sky turned dark like burnt wood.
25. As Quiet as Midnight Snow
Meaning: Conveys peaceful, gentle silence in darkness.
Quote: “Shadows drifted as quiet as midnight snow.”
Examples:
- Her voice fell quiet as midnight snow.
- The town grew quiet as midnight snow.
- His thoughts settled quiet as midnight snow.
26. Dark Like a Wolf’s Pupils
Meaning: Represents sharp, intense darkness.
Quote: “His stare was dark like a wolf’s pupils.”
Examples:
- Her gaze turned dark like a wolf’s pupils.
- The figure moved dark like a wolf’s pupils.
- Mystery settled dark like a wolf’s pupils.
27. As Hollow as a Barren Night
Meaning: Suggests empty, echoing darkness.
Quote: “The house felt as hollow as a barren night.”
Examples:
- His apology sounded hollow as a barren night.
- Her hopes rang hollow as a barren night.
- The hall was hollow as a barren night.
28. Dark Like a Closed Curtain
Meaning: Represents privacy or hidden truth.
Quote: “Her secrets hung dark like a closed curtain.”
Examples:
- His intentions were dark like a closed curtain.
- The stage waited dark like a closed curtain.
- The truth stayed dark like a closed curtain.
29. As Thick as Black Smoke
Meaning: Evokes strong, choking darkness.
Quote: “Anxiety rolled in as thick as black smoke.”
Examples:
- The fog grew thick as black smoke.
- His doubts rose thick as black smoke.
- Her confusion swirled thick as black smoke.
30. Dark Like a Hidden Hollow
Meaning: Mysterious, unseen darkness.
Quote: “The woods whispered dark like a hidden hollow.”
Examples:
- His past lay dark like a hidden hollow.
- Her fear stayed dark like a hidden hollow.
- The truth felt dark like a hidden hollow.
31. As Deep as a Lost Tunnel
Meaning: Describes endless, uncertain darkness.
Quote: “Her sorrow stretched as deep as a lost tunnel.”
Examples:
- His guilt grew deep as a lost tunnel.
- The mine was deep as a lost tunnel.
- Her longing felt deep as a lost tunnel.
32. Dark Like a Whispered Secret
Meaning: Quiet, hidden, intimate darkness.
Quote: “Her thoughts curled dark like a whispered secret.”
Examples:
- His plans stayed dark like a whispered secret.
- The room grew dark like a whispered secret.
- Fear hovered dark like a whispered secret.
33. As Cold as a Winter Midnight
Meaning: Describes chilling, emotional darkness.
Quote: “His words struck as cold as a winter midnight.”
Examples:
- Her stare felt cold as winter midnight.
- The air turned cold as winter midnight.
- His silence fell cold as winter midnight.
34. Dark Like a Raven’s Wing
Meaning: Elegant, glossy darkness.
Quote: “Her hair shimmered dark like a raven’s wing.”
Examples:
- The cloak was dark like a raven’s wing.
- His eyes gleamed dark like a raven’s wing.
- The storm rolled in dark like a raven’s wing.
35. As Endless as a Black Sea
Meaning: Represents overwhelming, vast darkness.
Quote: “Grief spread as endless as a black sea.”
Examples:
- His fear was endless as a black sea.
- The night stretched endless as a black sea.
- Her doubt felt endless as a black sea.
Conclusion
Darkness often symbolizes mystery, emotion, and depth — and using similes helps express these layers with power and elegance. In this guide, you discovered 35 unique similies for darkness, each designed to enrich stories, poems, essays, or everyday expression. Whether you write about fear, beauty, silence, or introspection, these comparisons help your words feel more alive and atmospheric.
Use them to bring landscapes, moods, and characters into sharper focus. Keep exploring language, experimenting with imagery, and letting your creativity shine — even when writing about darkness.
Explore more similes about nature, life, and emotions on our site.
FAQ
1. What are the best similes for darkness?
Some powerful options include as dark as midnight, like a moonless sky, and as endless as a black sea. These convey depth, emotion, and atmosphere.
2. How do you write a simile?
Use “like” or “as” to compare one thing to another in a vivid, imaginative way.
3. What’s the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
A simile uses “like” or “as,” while a metaphor states something is something else.
4. How can similes improve creative writing?
They make images clearer, add emotion, enhance sensory detail, and help readers visualize scenes.
Jon McGregor is an award-winning British novelist known for his poetic prose, vivid imagery, and deeply human storytelling.
