Similes are a powerful tool in language, allowing writers to create vivid and relatable images in the minds of their audience. By comparing two different things using “like” or “as,” similes bring depth to descriptions, making them more engaging and memorable. When applied to everyday objects, like walls, similes can evoke emotions, memories, and deeper meanings.
If you’re describing the emotional weight of a wall or its role in a story, similes add a creative layer to your writing.
Similes for Walls:
1. Walls are like blank canvases
Meaning: Walls are often empty, ready to be filled with ideas, memories, or decorations, just like a blank canvas waits for an artist’s strokes.
Example Sentence:
- “The room’s walls were like blank canvases, awaiting the personal touches that would make it home.”
- “Her life felt like a wall, empty and waiting for something meaningful to paint on it.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like empty notebooks 📖
- Walls are like uncarved stones 🪶
2. Walls are like shields
Meaning: Walls provide protection and act as barriers, much like a shield guards against harm.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the castle were like shields, keeping invaders at bay.”
- “Her emotional walls acted like shields, preventing anyone from getting too close.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like fortresses 🏰
- Walls are like barriers 🧱
3. Walls are like silent witnesses
Meaning: Walls observe everything happening around them, just as silent witnesses observe events without being part of them.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls in the old house were like silent witnesses to years of laughter and tears.”
- “His confession was spoken to walls, which stood like silent witnesses to his regret.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like watchful eyes 👀
- Walls are like quiet observers 👂
4. Walls are like closed books
Meaning: Walls can be mysterious, holding secrets and stories behind them, just like closed books that are waiting to be read.
Example Sentence:
- “The ancient walls were like closed books, their secrets hidden deep within.”
- “Her heart was like a wall, a closed book no one could open.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like locked diaries 📖
- Walls are like sealed archives 🔐
5. Walls are like silent barriers
Meaning: Walls serve as physical and metaphorical barriers, standing silently between two sides, separating them.
Example Sentence:
- “The high walls were like silent barriers, preventing any communication between the two neighbors.”
- “Emotional walls are like silent barriers, creating distance even when no words are spoken.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like invisible walls 🚧
- Walls are like silent partitions 🛑
6. Walls are like heavy hearts
Meaning: Walls can symbolize emotional weight or a sense of being burdened, similar to a heavy heart filled with sadness or worry.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the room felt like heavy hearts, burdened with the weight of unspoken words.”
- “His eyes were heavy, like walls filled with grief.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like weighted stones ⚖️
- Walls are like leaden hearts 💔
7. Walls are like echoes
Meaning: Walls often reverberate sounds, much like echoes that bounce back.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like echoes, repeating every sound, no matter how faint.”
- “Her voice was soft, but the walls turned it into a loud echo.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like sound amplifiers 🔊
- Walls are like reverberating chambers 🏠
8. Walls are like silent guardians
Meaning: Walls stand firm and protect, as guardians do, without saying a word.
Example Sentence:
- “The castle’s walls were like silent guardians, keeping watch over the village.”
- “Her walls were like silent guardians, protecting her from the world outside.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like protectors 🛡️
- Walls are like sentinels 🕵️♂️
9. Walls are like impenetrable fortresses
Meaning: Walls can symbolize strength and security, making them tough to break through, like a fortress.
Example Sentence:
- “The stone walls were like impenetrable fortresses, unbreakable and strong.”
- “His defenses were like walls of steel, impenetrable to any emotion.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like armored barricades 🦾
- Walls are like thick shields 🏰
10. Walls are like silent walls of time
Meaning: Walls often hold the passage of time, preserving memories and stories much like a timeline.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the old house were like silent walls of time, echoing stories from generations past.”
- “His memories were like walls of time, stacked in neat layers of the past.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like time capsules ⏳
- Walls are like memory keepers 🗝️
11. Walls are like the skin of a house
Meaning: Walls are the outer layer of a building, much like skin protects a body.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like the skin of the house, providing structure and safety to those within.”
- “Her emotional walls were like the skin of her heart, protecting her from hurt.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like the exterior shell 🏠
- Walls are like the outer layer of protection 🛡️
12. Walls are like silent echoes of the past
Meaning: Walls carry the weight of history, holding echoes from the past.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls in the ancient building were like silent echoes of the past, carrying stories untold.”
- “The walls held secrets, like silent echoes of a time long gone.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like timekeepers ⏳
- Walls are like historical records 📜
13. Walls are like soundproof rooms
Meaning: Walls can block out noise, creating a quiet space, just like soundproof rooms.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the office were like soundproof rooms, shutting out the noise of the city.”
- “Her thoughts were like walls of silence, blocking out distractions.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like noise-cancelling devices 🎧
- Walls are like silent chambers 🏰
14. Walls are like silent boundaries
Meaning: Walls act as invisible or physical boundaries, marking a separation.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like silent boundaries, separating the two opposing forces.”
- “Her walls were like silent boundaries, never allowing anyone too close.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like invisible lines 🔲
- Walls are like partitions ✂️
15. Walls are like frozen moments
Meaning: Walls can be symbols of stillness, holding moments in time.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the room were like frozen moments, each crack a memory waiting to be remembered.”
- “His life was like a wall, frozen in time, unable to move forward.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like still images 📸
- Walls are like stagnant frames 🖼️
16. Walls are like invisible curtains
Meaning: Walls can create a sense of separation, just like curtains block what’s outside.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like invisible curtains, separating him from the world outside.”
- “Her walls were like heavy curtains, blocking the light of new relationships.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like veils 👗
- Walls are like opaque barriers 🪞
17. Walls are like emotional prisons
Meaning: Walls can represent emotional barriers, trapping a person inside their own feelings.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls around him were like emotional prisons, keeping him trapped in his fears.”
- “Her mind was like a wall, a prison where emotions were locked away.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like emotional cages 🔒
- Walls are like heart fortresses 🏰
18. Walls are like brick-by-brick defenses
Meaning: Walls are often built over time, layer by layer, just like personal defenses.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like brick-by-brick defenses, built to protect from the outside world.”
- “His walls were constructed brick-by-brick, each piece a defense against his past.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like layered shields 🛡️
- Walls are like fortress walls 🧱
19. Walls are like mirrors of the soul
Meaning: Walls can reflect the inner emotional state, much like a mirror reflects one’s appearance.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the room were like mirrors of the soul, showing the emotions of everyone who entered.”
- “His walls were like mirrors of the soul, reflecting his isolation and fear.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like windows to the heart 💖
- Walls are like silent reflections 🪞
20. Walls are like whispered secrets
Meaning: Walls often hold secrets and stories, much like whispered words passed in confidence.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the old mansion were like whispered secrets, sharing tales of love and loss.”
- “The walls were like whispered secrets, holding onto conversations that were never meant to be heard.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like hidden messages ✉️
- Walls are like quiet confessions 💬
21. Walls are like silent invitations
Meaning: Walls can give a feeling of welcome or warning, like an unspoken invitation to enter or stay out.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like silent invitations, beckoning me to explore their hidden depths.”
- “Her eyes were like walls, silent invitations to learn more about her past.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like open doors 🚪
- Walls are like welcoming arms 🤗
22. Walls are like silent songs
Meaning: Walls can evoke emotions or memories, much like a song that speaks without words.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like silent songs, resonating with the quiet hum of history.”
- “Her voice echoed off the walls, like a silent song that filled the air with nostalgia.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like unsung lullabies 🎶
- Walls are like music in the stillness 🎧
23. Walls are like tall sentinels
Meaning: Walls stand as strong, watchful guardians, observing everything in their vicinity.
Example Sentence:
- “The castle’s walls were like tall sentinels, watching over the land as night fell.”
- “Her walls were like tall sentinels, guarding her heart from harm.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like vigilant watchmen 🕵️♂️
- Walls are like towering guards 🛡️
24. Walls are like the breath of the building
Meaning: Walls provide the structure and rhythm of a building, similar to how breath sustains life.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like the breath of the building, exhaling warmth and life into every room.”
- “Without the walls, the house would have no heartbeat, no breath.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like the veins of the structure 🩸
- Walls are like the bones of the house 🦴
25. Walls are like silent protests
Meaning: Walls can stand as barriers to change or expression, silently resisting what lies beyond them.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like silent protests, standing firm against the ideas of the invaders.”
- “Her emotional walls were like silent protests, refusing to let anyone in.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like invisible rebellions 🚫
- Walls are like unmoving resistance 🏛️
26. Walls are like forgotten dreams
Meaning: Walls sometimes hold memories or past ambitions that have been left behind, much like forgotten dreams.
Example Sentence:
- “The crumbling walls were like forgotten dreams, lost to the passage of time.”
- “Her memories were like walls, made of dreams once bright, now forgotten.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like abandoned hopes 💭
- Walls are like broken aspirations 🥀
27. Walls are like unspoken boundaries
Meaning: Walls define limits without needing words, establishing boundaries between spaces or people.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like unspoken boundaries, separating the two worlds without a word.”
- “Her silence was like walls, creating boundaries she never voiced.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like invisible fences 🌳
- Walls are like silent rules 📏
28. Walls are like a sense of security
Meaning: Walls offer safety and reassurance, much like a comforting presence in a time of need.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like a sense of security, enclosing me in a world free from harm.”
- “Her arms were like walls, offering me a sense of security I could never find anywhere else.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like protective arms 🫂
- Walls are like safety nets 🪂
29. Walls are like silent alarms
Meaning: Walls can alert us to something hidden or impending, much like an alarm warns of danger.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the house were like silent alarms, quietly warning of the danger ahead.”
- “His walls were like silent alarms, alerting him to any intruder.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like ticking clocks ⏰
- Walls are like cautious sentinels 🕰️
30. Walls are like mirrors of memories
Meaning: Walls reflect the moments and emotions that pass through them, much like mirrors show reflections.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls were like mirrors of memories, capturing every laugh, every tear.”
- “Her mind was a wall, reflecting memories she couldn’t forget.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like memory banks 🧠
- Walls are like time capsules 🕰️
31. Walls are like the roots of a tree
Meaning: Walls, like the roots of a tree, are fundamental to the structure and stability of a place.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls of the house were like the roots of a tree, grounding everything that stood within.”
- “His foundations were like walls, rooted in the strength of his past.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like deep foundations 🏠
- Walls are like bedrock 🪨
32. Walls are like fading echoes of a conversation
Meaning: Walls can carry the remnants of past words and conversations, much like echoes that fade over time.
Example Sentence:
- “The walls in the room were like fading echoes of a conversation long forgotten.”
- “Her thoughts echoed off the walls, like fading whispers.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Walls are like lingering sounds 🔊
- Walls are like hushed conversations 🗣️
Practical exercise
Similes for Walls Quiz
Part 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the similes by filling in the blanks with vivid comparisons.
- The stone wall was as solid as __________.
- The cracked wall looked as fragile as __________.
- The graffiti-covered wall stood out like __________.
- The ivy-covered wall was as green as __________.
- The freshly painted wall gleamed like __________.
Part 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the best simile that fits the description of the wall.
- The ancient castle wall was as strong as:
a. A river’s current
b. An iron fortress
c. A summer breeze
d. A crumpled paper - The wall in the narrow alley was as dark as:
a. A shadow at midnight
b. A sunny meadow
c. A flickering candle
d. A bustling street - The shimmering mosaic wall was as colorful as:
a. A cloudy sky
b. A rainbow after rain
c. A dusty attic
d. A chalkboard - The thin plaster wall felt as weak as:
a. A sheet of paper
b. A boulder on a hill
c. A thick oak tree
d. A steel door - The towering wall surrounding the garden was as secretive as:
a. A locked diary
b. An open book
c. A transparent glass
d. A loud speaker
Part 3: Match the Simile
Match the simile to the type of wall it describes.
- “As smooth as polished marble.”
a. A palace wall
b. A weathered barn wall
c. A graffiti wall - “As cracked as a dry riverbed.”
a. A modern apartment wall
b. A centuries-old stone wall
c. A brick school wall - “As colorful as a painter’s palette.”
a. A subway wall covered in murals
b. A plain white wall
c. A library’s interior wall - “As high as a mountain cliff.”
a. A garden fence
b. A fortress wall
c. A glass partition - “As plain as an unmarked page.”
a. A freshly painted office wall
b. A decorated living room wall
c. A historic museum wall
Answers
Part 1: Fill in the Blanks (Sample answers; creative freedom encouraged!)
- A mountain.
- A spider’s web.
- A work of art.
- A meadow in spring.
- A shiny mirror.
Part 2: Multiple Choice
- b. An iron fortress
- a. A shadow at midnight
- b. A rainbow after rain
- a. A sheet of paper
- a. A locked diary
Part 3: Match the Simile
- a. A palace wall
- b. A centuries-old stone wall
- a. A subway wall covered in murals
- b. A fortress wall
- a. A freshly painted office wall
Conclusion:
Walls are more than just physical structures; they hold stories, memories, and emotions. By using similes, we can breathe life into these inanimate objects, offering them meanings and purposes beyond their practical use. As you experiment with these similes in your writing, think about the way walls can represent emotional barriers, protection, or even the passage of time.
Embrace the power of similes to create more vivid and engaging narratives, and see how walls in your stories come to life with new meaning!
