Similes are a powerful tool in language, transforming simple descriptions into vivid images that engage the reader’s imagination.
By comparing one thing to another using “like” or “as,” similes can make writing more relatable, memorable, and impactful.
If it’s through body language, tone of voice, or words, similes for “tells” can illustrate how something is conveyed, often with hidden meanings or subtle cues.
In this article, we’ll explore 40 unique and creative similes for “tells,” each with its own nuance.
Best Similes for Tells
1. As clear as a bell.
Meaning: Refers to something that is very clear and easy to understand, just like the sound of a bell.
Example Sentences:
- “His instructions were as clear as a bell, leaving no room for confusion.”
- “The message came through as clear as a bell, loud and unmistakable.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As clear as crystal 💎
- As plain as day 🌞
- As transparent as glass 🪞
2. As obvious as the nose on your face.
Meaning: Something so clear and evident that it’s almost impossible to miss, like the nose on your face.
Example Sentences:
- “Her feelings for him were as obvious as the nose on your face.”
- “The solution to the problem was as obvious as the nose on your face.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As plain as the nose on your face 👃
- As clear as daylight 🌅
- As visible as a star in the sky ✨
3. As loud as a drum.
Meaning: Something that is very noticeable or easily heard, much like the sound of a drum.
Example Sentences:
- “His anger was as loud as a drum, echoing through the room.”
- “Her announcement was as loud as a drum, and everyone turned to listen.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As loud as thunder ⚡
- As noisy as a parade 🎉
- As booming as a cannon 💥
4. As subtle as a sledgehammer.
Meaning: Refers to something that is not subtle at all, but rather obvious and forceful.
Example Sentences:
- “His hint was as subtle as a sledgehammer, everyone knew exactly what he meant.”
- “The way she told him she was upset was as subtle as a sledgehammer.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As blunt as a butter knife 🧈
- As obvious as a flashing sign 🚨
- As forceful as a freight train 🚂
5. As silent as a whisper.
Meaning: Something that is conveyed very quietly or subtly, like a whisper.
Example Sentences:
- “Her disappointment was as silent as a whisper, but I could feel it.”
- “The secret was told as silently as a whisper in the night.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As quiet as a mouse 🐭
- As soft as a breeze 🌬️
- As gentle as a murmur 🌙
6. As loud as a shout.
Meaning: Something that is very noticeable or obvious, much like a loud shout.
Example Sentences:
- “His intention to leave was as loud as a shout, everyone heard it.”
- “The warning was as loud as a shout, there was no ignoring it.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As bold as a trumpet 🎺
- As loud as a foghorn 🚢
- As noticeable as a neon sign 💡
7. As clear as a window pane.
Meaning: Something that is easy to understand or see through, just like a clean window.
Example Sentences:
- “The rules were as clear as a window pane, no one could misunderstand them.”
- “His feelings were as clear as a window pane, and it was easy to see he was upset.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As transparent as water 💧
- As easy to see as the sky 🌤️
- As simple as a reflection 🔍
8. As quick as a flash.
Meaning: Something that happens very fast, almost in an instant, like a flash of light.
Example Sentences:
- “The answer came to him as quick as a flash.”
- “She told me the news as quick as a flash, before I could even react.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As fast as lightning ⚡
- As speedy as a cheetah 🐆
- As swift as a hawk 🦅
9. As telling as a look.
Meaning: Something that can be understood just by a glance, often referring to body language or unspoken communication.
Example Sentences:
- “His silence was as telling as a look, and I knew something was wrong.”
- “A simple nod was as telling as a look, conveying agreement without words.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As revealing as a gesture 🤷♂️
- As meaningful as an expression 😐
- As clear as a glance 👀
10. As delicate as a flower petal.
Meaning: Refers to something that is conveyed in a very gentle, careful, or subtle manner.
Example Sentences:
- “Her apology was as delicate as a flower petal, soft and thoughtful.”
- “The way he told her the truth was as delicate as a flower petal.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As gentle as a breeze 🌬️
- As soft as velvet 🧸
- As tender as a kiss 💋
11. As strong as a declaration.
Meaning: Something that is very direct and firm, like a clear and powerful statement.
Example Sentences:
- “Her intentions were as strong as a declaration, and everyone knew where she stood.”
- “The evidence was as strong as a declaration, leaving no room for doubt.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As firm as a promise 🤝
- As bold as a proclamation 📢
- As clear as a command 🎯
12. As cryptic as a riddle.
Meaning: Something that is vague, mysterious, or difficult to understand, much like a riddle.
Example Sentences:
- “His response was as cryptic as a riddle, leaving us all confused.”
- “The message she gave me was as cryptic as a riddle, I couldn’t make sense of it.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As puzzling as a maze 🌀
- As unclear as a fog 🌫️
- As mysterious as an enigma 🕵️♂️
13. As pointed as a dagger.
Meaning: Something that is sharp, direct, and often cutting, like the point of a dagger.
Example Sentences:
- “His words were as pointed as a dagger, aimed straight at her heart.”
- “The criticism was as pointed as a dagger, sharp and unforgiving.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As sharp as a knife 🔪
- As biting as a frost ❄️
- As direct as an arrow 🎯
14. As quick as a wink.
Meaning: Something that happens in the blink of an eye, extremely fast.
Example Sentences:
- “The secret was told as quick as a wink, before anyone could react.”
- “His decision to leave was as quick as a wink, and he was gone.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As fast as a blink 👁️
- As sudden as a snap 🖐️
- As swift as a breeze 🌬️
15. As loud as a thunderclap.
Meaning: Something that is very forceful and unmistakable, like the sound of thunder.
Example Sentences:
- “The announcement was as loud as a thunderclap, shaking everyone in the room.”
- “His outburst was as loud as a thunderclap, startling everyone nearby.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As booming as a storm ⛈️
- As powerful as a roar 🦁
- As deafening as a cannon 💣
16. As smooth as silk.
Meaning: Something that is communicated in a very smooth, easy, and pleasant manner.
Example Sentences:
- “His apology was as smooth as silk, calming the tension in the room.”
- “She told the story as smooth as silk, making it seem effortless.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As gentle as velvet 🧸
- As soft as butter 🧈
- As easy as breathing 🌬️
17. As revealing as an open book.
Meaning: Something that is completely transparent and easy to understand, much like an open book.
Example Sentences:
- “His emotions were as revealing as an open book, everyone could see how he felt.”
- “The clues were as revealing as an open book, leaving no room for doubt.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As clear as a window 🪟
- As transparent as water 💧
- As honest as a confession 🙏
18. As quiet as a grave.
Meaning: Something that is completely silent or without any noise, like a grave.
Example Sentences:
- “The room was as quiet as a grave after the announcement.”
- “His reaction was as quiet as a grave, not a word or sound escaped his lips.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As silent as the night 🌙
- As still as a pond 🏞️
- As mute as a shadow 🌑
19. As bright as a neon sign.
Meaning: Something that is very noticeable and impossible to miss, like a bright neon sign.
Example Sentences:
- “Her feelings for him were as bright as a neon sign, impossible to ignore.”
- “The warning was as bright as a neon sign, flashing clearly for all to see.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As glaring as headlights 🚗
- As bold as a spotlight 🎤
- As vivid as a rainbow 🌈
20. As fast as a speeding bullet.
Meaning: Something that happens incredibly fast, almost instantaneously, like a speeding bullet.
Example Sentences:
- “The message was delivered as fast as a speeding bullet, with no time wasted.”
- “Her decision to leave was as fast as a speeding bullet, and she was gone in an instant.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As quick as lightning ⚡
- As rapid as a cheetah 🐆
- As swift as a hawk 🦅
21. As gentle as a whisper.
Meaning: Something that is soft, quiet, and tender, like a whisper.
Example Sentences:
- “Her words were as gentle as a whisper, soothing his troubled mind.”
- “The advice he gave was as gentle as a whisper, carefully chosen and kind.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As soft as a breeze 🌬️
- As mild as a lullaby 🎶
- As tender as a caress 🤲
22. As sudden as a lightning strike.
Meaning: Something that happens unexpectedly and with great impact, like a lightning strike.
Example Sentences:
- “His confession was as sudden as a lightning strike, leaving everyone stunned.”
- “The change in the situation was as sudden as a lightning strike, catching everyone off guard.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As abrupt as a thunderclap ⚡
- As quick as a snap 🖐️
- As shocking as a jolt ⚡
23. As smooth as butter.
Meaning: Something that is effortless, easy, and pleasant, like butter spreading smoothly.
Example Sentences:
- “The way she explained the concept was as smooth as butter, making it so easy to understand.”
- “His transition into the new role was as smooth as butter, without any issues.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As easy as pie 🥧
- As gentle as velvet 🧸
- As soft as a cloud ☁️
24. As dry as dust.
Meaning: Something that is dull, lifeless, or lacking in excitement, like dry dust.
Example Sentences:
- “His response was as dry as dust, leaving no emotion behind.”
- “The conversation was as dry as dust, with no spark or interest.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As dull as a rock 🪨
- As flat as a pancake 🥞
- As boring as watching paint dry 🎨
25. As loud as a jackhammer.
Meaning: Something that is extremely noisy and impossible to ignore, like the sound of a jackhammer.
Example Sentences:
- “His voice was as loud as a jackhammer, echoing through the building.”
- “The music was as loud as a jackhammer, shaking the walls.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As booming as a drum 🥁
- As deafening as a siren 🚨
- As noisy as a construction site 🏗️
26. As clear as crystal.
Meaning: Something that is very easy to understand or see, like clear crystal.
Example Sentences:
- “Her explanation was as clear as crystal, and everyone understood.”
- “The instructions were as clear as crystal, leaving no room for confusion.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As transparent as glass 🪟
- As plain as day 🌞
- As obvious as the sun 🌞
27. As quick as a cheetah.
Meaning: Something that happens extremely fast, like the speed of a cheetah.
Example Sentences:
- “He ran as quick as a cheetah to catch the bus.”
- “The decision was made as quick as a cheetah, with no hesitation.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As fast as a race car 🏎️
- As swift as an arrow 🏹
- As rapid as a bullet 💥
28. As sharp as a tack.
Meaning: Someone who is very intelligent, alert, or quick-witted, like the sharp point of a tack.
Example Sentences:
- “She is as sharp as a tack, always coming up with brilliant ideas.”
- “His mind is as sharp as a tack, catching every detail.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As clever as a fox 🦊
- As quick as a whip 🐍
- As keen as a hawk 🦅
29. As hard as nails.
Meaning: Something or someone that is tough, resilient, and unyielding, like nails.
Example Sentences:
- “His attitude was as hard as nails, unbothered by any criticism.”
- “The challenge was as hard as nails, but they persevered.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As tough as leather 🐄
- As strong as iron 🏋️♂️
- As durable as steel 🛠️
30. As heavy as a stone.
Meaning: Something that is very weighty or difficult to carry, like a heavy stone.
Example Sentences:
- “The responsibility felt as heavy as a stone on her shoulders.”
- “The burden of the task was as heavy as a stone, weighing him down.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As weighty as a boulder 🪨
- As solid as a rock 🪓
- As cumbersome as a mountain 🏔️
31. As smooth as glass.
Meaning: Something that is sleek, flawless, and smooth, like polished glass.
Example Sentences:
- “Her performance was as smooth as glass, with no mistakes.”
- “The surface of the water was as smooth as glass, reflecting the sky perfectly.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As sleek as satin 🧵
- As flawless as marble 🏛️
- As perfect as a pearl 🦪
Practical Exercise: Similes for Tells
1. Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences using the correct simile for “tells”:
a) He told the story __________, captivating everyone around him.
b) She spilled the secret __________, unable to hold it in.
c) The little boy tells lies __________, making it hard to believe him.
d) Grandpa tells his childhood stories __________, as if they happened yesterday.
e) The politician tells promises __________, though few believe them.
2. Multiple Choice
Choose the best simile to complete the sentence.
1. The storyteller was so engaging, he told tales:
a) Like a whisper in the wind
b) Like a painter creating a masterpiece
c) Like a rock sitting still
2. She couldn’t keep a secret, telling everything:
a) Like water rushing over a waterfall
b) Like a turtle hiding in its shell
c) Like a locked treasure chest
3. His words were always exaggerated, like he was telling a tale:
a) As small as a grain of sand
b) As big as a mountain
c) As slow as a snail
4. The old man tells his stories:
a) Like a library full of dusty books
b) Like a river flowing smoothly
c) Like a cloud passing by
5. His lies were obvious—he told them:
a) Like the sun shining at noon
b) Like a shadow hiding in the dark
c) Like a puzzle missing a piece
3. Match the Simile
Match each telling style with the correct simile:
| Situation | Simile |
|---|---|
| A child excitedly shares a story | Like a bubbling fountain |
| Someone tells secrets uncontrollably | Like a dam bursting |
| A wise elder shares knowledge | Like a candle lighting the dark |
| A person exaggerates their story | Like a fisherman describing his biggest catch |
| A person speaks nervously | Like a leaf trembling in the wind |
4. True or False
Decide if the following statements about similes for telling are True (T) or False (F):
- “She tells stories like a frozen lake” means she speaks smoothly and freely. (T/F)
- “He tells lies as naturally as breathing” suggests he is good at lying. (T/F)
- “The author tells tales like a sculptor carving stone” implies precision and detail. (T/F)
- “He tells jokes like thunder in the sky” means he tells them softly. (T/F)
- “She tells the news like a radio on full volume” suggests she speaks loudly and clearly. (T/F)
Answers:
Fill in the Blanks (Possible Answers):
a) Like a poet reciting a masterpiece
b) Like a dam bursting
c) Like a fox spinning a tale
d) Like a river carrying memories
e) Like leaves blown by the wind
Multiple Choice:
- b) Like a painter creating a masterpiece
- a) Like water rushing over a waterfall
- b) As big as a mountain
- b) Like a river flowing smoothly
- a) Like the sun shining at noon
Match the Simile:
1 → Like a bubbling fountain
2 → Like a dam bursting
3 → Like a candle lighting the dark
4 → Like a fisherman describing his biggest catch
5 → Like a leaf trembling in the wind
True or False:
- F
- T
- T
- F
- T
Conclusion
Similes are a powerful tool for enhancing communication, if in storytelling, poetry, or everyday conversations.
By using vivid comparisons like “as quick as a cheetah” or “as loud as a jackhammer,” you can make your writing more engaging and memorable.
The next time you’re looking to express a thought, emotion, or action, consider using one of these similes for “tells” to bring your words to life.
