Wrinkles are often seen as marks of time, experience, and wisdom. When describing wrinkles, similes add a layer of creativity and relatability to the imagery. They help convey both the aesthetic and emotional impact of aging, laughter, or time’s passage. Below are 332 similes for wrinkles, along with their meanings, example sentences, and alternate expressions.
1. Wrinkles are like rivers
Meaning: Wrinkles are like rivers, with their winding paths symbolizing the journey of life.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was etched with wrinkles, like rivers carving through a landscape over time.”
- “The wrinkles on his forehead were like rivers, each one marking a significant chapter of his life.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like streams 🌊
- Wrinkles are like winding roads 🛤️
2. Wrinkles are like creases in paper
Meaning: Wrinkles form similar to creases in paper, marking where something has been folded or pressed.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin was lined with wrinkles, like creases in an old letter that had been folded and reopened countless times.”
- “His forehead was a map of wrinkles, like creases in a well-used sheet of paper.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like folds in fabric 🧵
- Wrinkles are like lines in old books 📖
3. Wrinkles are like roadmaps
Meaning: Wrinkles map the passage of time and experiences, much like a roadmap illustrates various routes taken.
Example Sentence:
- “His face was a roadmap of laughter, with every wrinkle telling a different story.”
- “The wrinkles around her eyes were like roadmaps, tracing the years of her journey.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like timelines 🗓️
- Wrinkles are like trails in the sand 🏖️
4. Wrinkles are like spider webs
Meaning: Wrinkles resemble the delicate, intricate patterns of a spider’s web, hinting at age or experience.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like spider webs, delicate yet resilient, woven with the threads of time.”
- “His face was covered in fine wrinkles, like spider webs stretching across the skin.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like lace patterns 🧶
- Wrinkles are like fragile netting 🕸️
5. Wrinkles are like lines on a tree trunk
Meaning: Wrinkles, like the rings on a tree trunk, represent the passage of years.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin bore wrinkles like lines on a tree trunk, each one marking the years that had shaped her.”
- “His wrinkles were like tree rings, each one a reminder of the many seasons he had endured.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like age rings 🌳
- Wrinkles are like weathered bark 🌿
6. Wrinkles are like the folds of a cloth
Meaning: Wrinkles on skin are akin to the folds of a cloth, showing the marks left by years of experience.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was marked by wrinkles, like the folds of an old cloth, softened with time.”
- “The wrinkles around his eyes were like the creases of a well-worn cloth.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like fabric folds 🧥
- Wrinkles are like pleats in silk 🌸
7. Wrinkles are like footsteps in sand
Meaning: Wrinkles, like footprints in the sand, capture moments and memories that have been left behind.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was lined with wrinkles, like footsteps in sand, each one telling a part of her story.”
- “The wrinkles on his face were like footprints, traces of the path he had walked in life.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like traces in the dust 🌬️
- Wrinkles are like paths in the wilderness 🏞️
8. Wrinkles are like cracks in a clay pot
Meaning: Wrinkles can signify the fragility and aging of a person, much like cracks in a pottery vessel.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like cracks in a clay pot, each one revealing the wear and tear of a lifetime.”
- “The wrinkles on his face looked like cracks in the earth, subtle but deep.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like fissures in stone 🏺
- Wrinkles are like chips in pottery 🏺
9. Wrinkles are like storm clouds
Meaning: Wrinkles are seen as clouds, with time and life experiences often marking the skin like a stormy sky.
Example Sentence:
- “His face was lined with wrinkles, like storm clouds gathering before a thunderstorm.”
- “Her forehead was creased with wrinkles, like storm clouds before the rain.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like dark clouds ☁️
- Wrinkles are like thunderheads ⛈️
10. Wrinkles are like old maps
Meaning: Wrinkles, like old maps, chart the history of a person’s life and adventures.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was like an old map, wrinkles etched deeply into her skin as a record of her travels through life.”
- “His wrinkles were like old maps, worn and faded but full of stories.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like forgotten roads 🛣️
- Wrinkles are like ancient scrolls 📜
11. Wrinkles are like creases in the pages of a book
Meaning: Wrinkles on the skin are like creases in the pages of a well-read book, signifying wisdom and lived experience.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin was dotted with wrinkles, like creases in the pages of a well-loved book.”
- “The wrinkles on his face were like creases in a book, each fold telling a different chapter.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like well-worn pages 📖
- Wrinkles are like dog-eared corners 📚
12. Wrinkles are like roads less traveled
Meaning: Wrinkles can symbolize journeys that were less obvious or harder to endure, much like roads that aren’t often used.
Example Sentence:
- “His face was covered with wrinkles, like roads less traveled, each one a story of struggles endured.”
- “Her wrinkles were like untraveled roads, marking the path of a life lived in unique ways.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like detours 🛤️
- Wrinkles are like secret trails 🌲
13. Wrinkles are like dried leaves
Meaning: Wrinkles can resemble the brittle nature of dried leaves, showing the effects of age and time.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin was lined with wrinkles, like dried leaves crinkling under the weight of time.”
- “The wrinkles around his eyes were like dried leaves, crinkling with each smile.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like autumn leaves 🍂
- Wrinkles are like pressed flowers 🌸
14. Wrinkles are like cracks in the surface of a lake
Meaning: Wrinkles form like cracks that break the smooth surface, marking the passage of time.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like cracks in the surface of a lake, reflecting the many years she had lived.”
- “His face was like a lake with cracks, each wrinkle reflecting the deep waters of experience.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like fissures in water 🌊
- Wrinkles are like waves on the shore 🌊
15. Wrinkles are like the folds of a mountain range
Meaning: Wrinkles, like mountain folds, reflect the uneven but beautiful journey of life.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like folds in a mountain range, shaped by the passage of many years.”
- “His face, marked by wrinkles, was like the undulating folds of a mountain range.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like jagged cliffs 🏞️
- Wrinkles are like rolling hills 🌄
16. Wrinkles are like the cracks in a desert landscape
Meaning: Wrinkles appear like cracks in a dry landscape, symbolizing the effects of time and endurance.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face had wrinkles like cracks in the desert, each one telling of years without rain.”
- “His wrinkles were like cracks in the parched desert, formed through years of experience.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like crevices in rock 🪨
- Wrinkles are like dried riverbeds 🏜️
17. Wrinkles are like the wrinkles in a crisp sheet
Meaning: Wrinkles are like the small, crumpled creases that appear when a fabric is disturbed or used over time.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin, once smooth, now had wrinkles like the creases in a sheet left too long on the bed.”
- “His face had wrinkles, like the small folds of a sheet that had been slept in.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like crumpled fabric 🛏️
- Wrinkles are like used linens 🧺
18. Wrinkles are like the folds of an old letter
Meaning: Wrinkles signify the passage of time, like the creases in an old, folded letter that carries memories.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was a history book of wrinkles, like the folds in an old letter passed between friends.”
- “His wrinkles were like folds in a letter, revealing the journey of his life.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like folded papers ✉️
- Wrinkles are like tattered envelopes 📬
19. Wrinkles are like the lines on a cracked mirror
Meaning: Wrinkles can appear as imperfections or fractures in something once smooth, like a cracked mirror.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like the lines on a cracked mirror, reflecting her life’s many twists and turns.”
- “His face was marred by wrinkles, like the lines on a broken mirror that distorts the truth.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like shattered glass 🪞
- Wrinkles are like broken windows 🪟
20. Wrinkles are like smudges on a canvas
Meaning: Wrinkles can be seen as markings that alter the once smooth surface, like smudges on an artwork.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin was like a painting, with wrinkles appearing as smudges on the canvas of her face.”
- “The wrinkles on his face were like smudges on a well-loved canvas, each telling a different story.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like faded strokes 🎨
- Wrinkles are like blurred brushstrokes 🖌️
21. Wrinkles are like tiny rivers carving through the land
Meaning: Wrinkles, like rivers, carve paths into the skin, symbolizing time’s passage and the imprint of life experiences.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was lined with wrinkles, like tiny rivers carving through the landscape of her life.”
- “His wrinkles were like rivers, each one marking a pivotal moment in time.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like streams in a canyon 🌊
- Wrinkles are like rivers in the desert 🌵
22. Wrinkles are like the stitching on a well-worn quilt
Meaning: Wrinkles are like the stitching in a quilt, sewn together by years of life experiences and emotions.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was like a well-loved quilt, stitched with wrinkles that told stories of love and loss.”
- “His wrinkles were like the stitches in an old quilt, binding together memories of his past.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like thread in fabric 🧵
- Wrinkles are like seams in a tapestry 🖼️
23. Wrinkles are like cracks in a dried riverbed
Meaning: Wrinkles appear like cracks in a dried riverbed, formed over time through constant pressure and change.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face had wrinkles like cracks in a dried riverbed, formed from years of life’s challenges.”
- “His wrinkles were like cracks in an old riverbed, each one marking the trials he had faced.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like desert cracks 🌵
- Wrinkles are like fissures in clay 🏜️
24. Wrinkles are like waves on an ocean
Meaning: Wrinkles can be compared to the rhythmic undulation of waves on the ocean, ever-present and flowing.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles flowed across her face like waves on an ocean, calm yet constant.”
- “His face was wrinkled like the surface of the ocean, each wrinkle a wave that had come and gone.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like ripples on water 🌊
- Wrinkles are like rolling tides 🌊
25. Wrinkles are like the cracks in old pavement
Meaning: Wrinkles are like cracks in old pavement, showing the wear and tear of time and pressure.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin was lined with wrinkles, like cracks in old pavement that have endured years of traffic.”
- “The wrinkles on his face were like cracked pavement, each one telling the story of his long journey.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like chipped tiles 🏙️
- Wrinkles are like weathered stone 🏛️
26. Wrinkles are like the etchings on a statue
Meaning: Wrinkles are permanent marks, like the etchings on a statue that signify age and wisdom.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like the etchings on an ancient statue, sculpted by time and experience.”
- “His face was like a statue, each wrinkle a testament to the years of his life.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like chiseled lines in marble 🏛️
- Wrinkles are like carvings in stone 🪶
27. Wrinkles are like the veins in a leaf
Meaning: Wrinkles can resemble the veins in a leaf, indicating the passage of time and the flow of life’s experiences.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like the veins in a leaf, delicate yet intricate, telling the story of her life.”
- “His face was filled with wrinkles, like the veins in a leaf, growing more pronounced with age.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like branches in trees 🌳
- Wrinkles are like fibers in paper 🍂
28. Wrinkles are like the bends in a winding path
Meaning: Wrinkles can be seen as marks left by life’s journey, like the twists and turns of a winding path.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face had wrinkles like the bends in a winding path, each one a turn in the journey of her life.”
- “His wrinkles were like bends in the road, each one revealing a step in his long journey.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like curves in a trail 🛤️
- Wrinkles are like loops in a maze 🌀
29. Wrinkles are like cracks in the ice
Meaning: Wrinkles resemble cracks in ice, showing how something that was once smooth and flawless can fracture over time.
Example Sentence:
- “Her skin had wrinkles like cracks in the ice, forming through the slow thaw of time.”
- “His wrinkles were like cracks in frozen water, subtle yet undeniable.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like fissures in glaciers ❄️
- Wrinkles are like fractures in stone 🧊
30. Wrinkles are like fingerprints in clay
Meaning: Wrinkles are unique markings, like fingerprints left on soft clay, personal and indicative of a lifetime of experiences.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was molded by wrinkles, like fingerprints in clay, each one telling the story of her past.”
- “His wrinkles were like imprints in clay, each one uniquely his.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like impressions in sand 🏖️
- Wrinkles are like stamps in wax 🕯️
31. Wrinkles are like scars on a warrior’s face
Meaning: Wrinkles can be seen as proud marks of battle, like the scars of a warrior, showing strength and endurance.
Example Sentence:
- “Her wrinkles were like scars on a warrior’s face, each one a reminder of a life well-lived.”
- “His wrinkles, like battle scars, were proof of the hard-earned wisdom he had gained.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like marks of honor 🏅
- Wrinkles are like badges of experience 🎖️
32. Wrinkles are like shadow lines on the ground
Meaning: Wrinkles resemble shadows that form over time, marking the passage of hours and days.
Example Sentence:
- “Her face was lined with wrinkles, like shadow lines that grew longer as the day wore on.”
- “The wrinkles on his face were like shadows, growing deeper with every passing year.”
Other Ways to Say:
- Wrinkles are like shifting sands 🏜️
- Wrinkles are like fading dusk 🌅
Practical Exercise
Similes for Wrinkle Quiz
Part 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the similes by filling in the blanks with vivid comparisons.
- Her skin was as wrinkled as __________.
Answer: an old leather book. - The paper was as wrinkled as __________.
Answer: a crumpled napkin. - His face was lined with wrinkles, like __________.
Answer: the folds of a well-worn map. - The old cloth was as wrinkled as __________.
Answer: a crumpled ball of tissue. - The fabric of her dress was as wrinkled as __________.
Answer: the surface of a well-used pillow.
Part 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the best simile that fits the description of the wrinkle.
- The old man’s hands were as wrinkled as:
a. A freshly plucked rose petal
b. A dried-up leaf
c. A soft pillow
d. A smooth stone
Answer: b. A dried-up leaf - The wrinkle on her forehead deepened, like:
a. A crack in glass
b. A river running through a valley
c. A scar on an old tree
d. A blooming flower
Answer: c. A scar on an old tree - His skin was as wrinkled as:
a. A pressed sheet
b. A dried-up prune
c. A brand-new shirt
d. A bright morning sun
Answer: b. A dried-up prune - The paper, once smooth, was now as wrinkled as:
a. A loaf of bread
b. An old scarf
c. A crumpled newspaper
d. A velvet cushion
Answer: c. A crumpled newspaper - The old couch had wrinkles as deep as:
a. The lines in a well-read book
b. A cracked sidewalk
c. A fresh snowdrift
d. A pillowcase after a nap
Answer: a. The lines in a well-read book
Part 3: Match the Simile
Match the simile to the type of wrinkle or the object it describes.
- “As deep as the folds in a well-worn coat.”
a. Wrinkles on a face
b. Wrinkles on fabric
c. Wrinkles on paper - “As sharp as creases in fresh laundry.”
a. Wrinkles on hands
b. Wrinkles on a shirt
c. Wrinkles on a blanket - “As numerous as the lines on an old tree.”
a. Wrinkles on a forehead
b. Wrinkles on a dress
c. Wrinkles on skin - “As delicate as creases in a favorite photograph.”
a. Wrinkles on skin
b. Wrinkles on clothes
c. Wrinkles on leather - “As persistent as the creases on a crumpled page.”
a. Wrinkles on paper
b. Wrinkles on a face
c. Wrinkles on fabric
Answers for Part 3:
- a. Wrinkles on a face
- b. Wrinkles on a shirt
- c. Wrinkles on skin
- a. Wrinkles on skin
- a. Wrinkles on paper
Conclusion:
Similes for wrinkles offer a creative and vivid way to describe the marks that time leaves behind. Whether in poetry, storytelling, or everyday conversation, these similes can add depth and emotion to your writing. Experiment with these similes to bring your language to life, and don’t be afraid to create your own to reflect the beauty and stories that wrinkles tell.
