Metaphors for Crying help us express what words alone often can’t. They turn raw emotion into vivid, powerful pictures. Instead of saying someone cried, we might say “a storm raged inside” or “a river ran down their cheeks.” These crying metaphors give voice to sadness in ways that feel real. Using figurative language for crying, writers transform pain into poetry. A metaphor for crying like “a broken faucet” makes emotion visible, relatable, and human.
Poets, authors, and everyday people use these phrases to show heartbreak, loss, or sorrow. A metaphor for tears might be “pearls falling from the sky” or “a drizzle of pain.” These images speak louder than plain words. They stir empathy and connection. This article explores the most touching metaphors for crying and explains how figurative language for crying helps express deep emotion. Let’s explore the rainstorm of feelings behind every tear.
Metaphors for Crying
Metaphors for crying help us show deep feelings with pictures in words. A common metaphor for crying is “a storm in the eyes.” Writers use crying metaphors to express pain. Figurative language for crying turns sadness into strong images. A touching metaphor for tears might be “pearls falling from the soul.”
1. Crying like a stormy night
Meaning: Intense crying, full of chaos, emotion, and turmoil, like a wild, stormy night.
In a Sentence: Overcome with grief, she was crying like a stormy night, lost in emotions.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like thunder, Tears like a violent evening, Sobbing like a tempest.
2. Crying like a downpour
Meaning: Nonstop, heavy crying that pours out quickly, like rain falling from the sky.
In a Sentence: After the heartbreaking news, he was crying like a downpour, unable to stop.
Other Ways to Say: Sobbing like a torrential rain, Tears pouring like a heavy storm, Weeping endlessly.
3. Crying like a river overflowing
Meaning: Tears spilling out uncontrollably, like a river’s banks bursting after too much rain.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a river overflowing, unable to hold her sadness anymore.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a flooding river, Tears flowing like an unstoppable stream, Sobbing uncontrollably.
4. Crying like a broken faucet
Meaning: Crying uncontrollably, like water pouring endlessly from a broken faucet.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a broken faucet, unable to stop the flow of tears.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a leaky tap, Tears pouring like an endless stream, Sobbing endlessly.
5. Tears like rivers
Meaning: Tears falling in large amounts, flowing like a river after heavy rainfall.
In a Sentence: His sorrow was overwhelming, and tears flowed like rivers down his face.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a flood, Tears falling like an ocean, Sobbing like a deluge.
6. Crying like a faucet
Meaning: Tears flowing steadily, like water from an open faucet.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a faucet, her tears never stopping no matter what.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a running tap, Tears flowing like a steady stream, Sobbing gently.
7. Sobbing like a baby
Meaning: Crying with intense emotion, just like a baby in distress.
In a Sentence: He was sobbing like a baby, feeling overwhelmed by the sadness inside.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a child, Tears flowing like an infant, Sobbing uncontrollably.
8. Tears like pearls
Meaning: Tears that fall softly and gracefully, like precious pearls rolling down the cheeks.
In a Sentence: Her tears were like pearls, each one symbolizing the deep pain in her heart.
Other Ways to Say: Tears like gems, Weeping like pearls, Sobbing like delicate jewels.
9. Crying like a broken heart
Meaning: Crying deeply from emotional pain, as if the heart is shattered into pieces.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a broken heart, her sorrow overwhelming every part of her.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a shattered soul, Tears like a fractured heart, Sobbing like a crushed spirit.
10. Tears like raindrops
Meaning: Tears falling gently, one by one, similar to raindrops landing softly on the ground.
In a Sentence: Her tears fell like raindrops, quietly yet steadily, reflecting her inner sadness.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a gentle drizzle, Tears like soft showers, Sobbing like a light rain.
11. Crying like a thunderstorm
Meaning: Crying with great intensity, like the roar and chaos of a thunderstorm.
In a Sentence: His grief was so powerful, he was crying like a thunderstorm, wild and loud.
Other Ways to Say: Sobbing like a storm, Tears like thunder, Weeping like a violent tempest.
12. Tears like a downpour
Meaning: Tears flowing heavily, like rain pouring down in a sudden downpour.
In a Sentence: Her tears came like a downpour, flooding her face as she wept uncontrollably.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a torrential rain, Tears pouring like a storm, Sobbing like a heavy rainstorm.
13. Crying like a waterfall
Meaning: Crying with an overwhelming force, like a powerful waterfall rushing down.
In a Sentence: He was crying like a waterfall, unable to contain the flood of emotions inside.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a cascading stream, Tears flowing like a rushing waterfall, Sobbing like a roaring river.
14. Crying like a riverbed
Meaning: Crying with an emptiness, as if the riverbed is dry after the water has flowed away.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a riverbed, hollow and empty, with no end to her pain.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a barren stream, Tears like a dried creek, Sobbing like a parched river.
15. Crying like a stormy sea
Meaning: Crying with great turmoil and unpredictability, like waves crashing in a stormy sea.
In a Sentence: His emotions were wild, crying like a stormy sea, with no calm in sight.
Other Ways to Say: Sobbing like a turbulent ocean, Tears like crashing waves, Weeping like a violent sea.
16. Crying like a fountain
Meaning: Crying with a constant, flowing stream of tears, like water pouring from a fountain.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a fountain, tears cascading down her face endlessly.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a bubbling spring, Tears flowing like a clear fountain, Sobbing like a water source.
17. Crying like a rainstorm
Meaning: Crying with intense, heavy emotion, similar to a rainstorm pouring relentlessly.
In a Sentence: He was crying like a rainstorm, his grief pouring out in waves of sadness.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a thunderstorm, Tears falling like a torrential rain, Sobbing like a downpour.
18. Crying like a downpour
Meaning: Crying intensely, with a sudden and heavy burst of emotion, like rain in a downpour.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a downpour, overwhelmed by emotions she could no longer contain.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a heavy rain, Tears falling like a monsoon, Sobbing like an afternoon storm.
19. Crying like a waterfall
Meaning: Crying with an overwhelming force, as if tears are cascading down like a waterfall.
In a Sentence: Her sorrow flowed endlessly, crying like a waterfall, with no end to her tears.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a rushing stream, Tears like a cascading waterfall, Sobbing like a river’s rush.
20. Crying like a thunderstorm
Meaning: Crying with intense emotion, like the chaos and power of a thunderstorm.
In a Sentence: His grief was like a thunderstorm, crashing through him with deep, uncontrollable sorrow.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a storm at sea, Tears like thunderclaps, Sobbing like a roaring tempest.
21. Crying like a broken dam
Meaning: Crying uncontrollably, as if a dam has broken and water is flooding out.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a broken dam, tears rushing out in a flood of emotion.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a cracked reservoir, Tears spilling like a breached barrier, Sobbing like a failing levee.
22. Crying like a waterfall
Meaning: Crying endlessly with overwhelming emotion, like water falling endlessly from a waterfall.
In a Sentence: He was crying like a waterfall, unable to stop the tears flowing down his cheeks.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a torrent of water, Tears like a never-ending cascade, Sobbing like a flowing river.
Related Guide:
23. Crying like a downpour
Meaning: Crying with sudden intensity, like the heavy rainfall in a downpour.
In a Sentence: Her tears came like a downpour, flooding her face in a rush of sorrow.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a torrential rain, Tears falling like a deluge, Sobbing like a heavy rainstorm.
24. Crying like a stormy sky
Meaning: Crying with a sense of chaos and dark emotions, like a sky filled with storms.
In a Sentence: His emotions were like a stormy sky, dark and filled with tears, waiting to burst.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like an angry sky, Tears like thunderclouds, Sobbing like a brewing storm.
25. Crying like a waterfall
Meaning: Crying intensely, with continuous, flowing tears like water cascading from a waterfall.
In a Sentence: She was crying like a waterfall, unable to control the constant flow of her grief.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a rushing river, Tears falling like a stream, Sobbing like an endless cascade.
26. Crying like a broken heart
Meaning: Crying with deep emotional pain, as if the heart is shattered and pouring out tears.
In a Sentence: He was crying like a broken heart, his sorrow leaking through every tear.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a shattered soul, Tears like a cracked heart, Sobbing like a wounded spirit.
27. Crying like a stormy sea
Meaning: Crying with uncontrollable, turbulent emotions, like the rough waves of a stormy sea.
In a Sentence: She cried like a stormy sea, her sobs crashing like waves against the shore.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a wild ocean, Tears like a churning tide, Sobbing like an angry sea.
28. Crying like a waterfall
Meaning: Crying endlessly with powerful emotion, as if tears are falling like a waterfall.
In a Sentence: He was crying like a waterfall, his tears flowing without end in his sorrow.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a flowing stream, Tears falling like a cascading river, Sobbing like an unstoppable force.
29. Crying like a floodgate
Meaning: Crying suddenly and intensely, like a floodgate being opened and releasing water.
In a Sentence: Her grief was like a floodgate, suddenly opening and releasing a torrent of tears.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a burst dam, Tears like a flood unleashed, Sobbing like a broken barrier.
30. Crying like a deluge
Meaning: Crying with overwhelming force, as if a deluge of water is pouring out.
In a Sentence: He cried like a deluge, tears flooding his face in an unstoppable rush.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a heavy rain, Tears like a downpour, Sobbing like a torrential storm.
31. Crying like a torrent
Meaning: Crying with an uncontrollable rush, like a torrent of water surging forward.
In a Sentence: She cried like a torrent, unable to stop the rush of tears flooding down her cheeks.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a rapid stream, Tears like rushing waters, Sobbing like a fast-moving river.
32. Crying like a cloudburst
Meaning: Crying suddenly and intensely, like a sudden, heavy burst of rain from a cloud.
In a Sentence: His sadness came like a cloudburst, pouring down tears without warning.
Other Ways to Say: Weeping like a sudden rain, Tears like a flash flood, Sobbing like a storm breaking.
Exercise to Practice
- After the breakup, he cried like a _______.
- The movie was so touching, she cried like a _______.
- When the dog passed away, he was crying like a _______.
- Overwhelmed by the loss, she cried like a _______.
- After the argument, he cried like a _______.
- When her best friend moved away, she was crying like a _______.
- The tragic news left him crying like a _______.
- The poem made her cry like a _______.
- During the emotional farewell, she cried like a _______.
- When he saw the old family photo, he cried like a _______.
- Watching the final episode, she cried like a _______.
- As they said goodbye at the airport, she cried like a _______.
- After receiving the heartfelt apology, he cried like a _______.
- Hearing the touching speech, she cried like a _______.
- The unexpected kindness left him crying like a _______.
- When she saw her childhood home for the last time, she cried like a _______.
- After hearing the heartbreaking story, she cried like a _______.
- During the wedding vows, he cried like a _______.
- As the old song played, she cried like a _______.
Answers:
- Stormy night
- Broken faucet
- Rainstorm
- River overflowing
- Waterfall
- Downpour
- Fountain
- Deluge
- Broken heart
- Torrent
- Cloudburst
- Gushing river
- Stormy sea
- Floodgate
- Thunderstorm
- Cascading
- Rainstorm
- Broken dam
- Raging ocean
- Stream
FAQ’s
What are the metaphors for crying?
Metaphors for crying are phrases that describe crying in a vivid way. They turn sadness into powerful images, such as crying like a waterfall or a storm.
Can metaphors for crying be used in literature?
Yes, metaphors for crying are widely used in literature. Writers use them to add depth and emotion to their characters, creating a strong emotional connection with readers.
What is an example of a metaphor for crying?
An example of a metaphor for crying is “crying like a river overflowing.” This image shows how tears flow uncontrollably, symbolizing overwhelming sadness.
How do metaphors for crying differ from literal expressions?
Unlike literal expressions, metaphors for crying use vivid imagery. They create a stronger emotional impact, turning sadness into something more powerful, like crying “like a waterfall.”
What makes a good metaphor for crying?
Good metaphors for crying should be vivid and relatable. It should capture the depth of emotion, like “crying like a thunderstorm,” making the sadness feel real and powerful.
Conclusion
Metaphors for crying offer a vivid way to express deep emotions. Instead of simply saying someone cried, we can use creative phrases like “crying like a waterfall” or “tears like a river.” These crying metaphors help turn raw emotions into powerful imagery, making sadness easier to understand. Figurative language for crying connects people to feelings that are hard to describe with just plain words. It creates a shared understanding of the pain and grief someone may be experiencing.
A metaphor for crying often makes emotions feel more real and relatable. Whether it’s “crying like a stormy night” or “tears like pearls,” these metaphors for tears bring depth to emotional expression. Metaphors for crying help people communicate their feelings better. They allow writers, poets, and anyone in need of expression to capture intense emotions in ways that resonate with others.
Ronan Fox is an experienced administrator with five years of expertise in managing operations, streamlining workflows, and ensuring organizational efficiency. He excels in team coordination, process optimization, and problem-solving. His strong leadership and analytical skills drive productivity and success.
