Sometimes, people pretend to be your friend, but they don’t act like one. They may talk behind your back, leave you out, or only show up when they want something. These people are called fake friends. It can be confusing and hurtful, but learning how to spot them can help you stay safe and make better choices.
Writers often use similes to describe fake friends in a creative way. A simile compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” These comparisons can help us better understand what fake friendship feels like. In this article, you will read similes that describe fake friends in ways that are clear and easy to picture.
Similes about Fake Friends
1. As fake as plastic fruit
Meaning: Looks real but isn’t
Give an Instance: Her smile was as fake as plastic fruit. / He gave compliments that were as fake as plastic fruit.
Substitute Meaning: Not real / Pretending
2. Like a shadow at night
Meaning: Only there when things are dark or bad
Give an Instance: He was like a shadow at night never around when things were good. / Fake friends are like shadows at night, showing up only when it suits them.
Substitute Meaning: Only present in tough times / Unreliable
3. As slippery as soap
Meaning: Hard to hold on to or trust
Give an Instance: He was as slippery as soap, always changing sides. / Talking to her felt like holding soap she always slipped away from the truth.
Substitute Meaning: Sneaky / Hard to depend on
4. Like a balloon in the wind
Meaning: Goes wherever things seem fun
Give an Instance: She was like a balloon in the wind, always chasing the most popular crowd. / Fake friends are like balloons they float away when you’re not useful.
Substitute Meaning: Unsteady / Changes easily
5. As sweet as candy but leaves a bad taste
Meaning: Nice at first but not really good
Give an Instance: His words were as sweet as candy, but they left a bad taste. / She acted sweet at first, like candy, but it didn’t last.
Substitute Meaning: Fake kindness / Pretends to care
6. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Pretends to be kind but means harm
Give an Instance: That friend was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing smiling while causing trouble. / He looked helpful but was really a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Substitute Meaning: Dangerous pretending / Hidden bad intentions
7. As loyal as a leaf in the wind
Meaning: Not loyal at all
Give an Instance: When things got hard, she was as loyal as a leaf in the wind. / He left quickly, like a leaf blown by wind.
Substitute Meaning: Unreliable / Not dependable
8. Like a mirror with cracks
Meaning: Reflects something fake or broken
Give an Instance: Her friendship was like a mirror with cracks it looked okay but wasn’t. / Fake friends are like cracked mirrors they never show the full truth.
Substitute Meaning: Misleading / Broken trust
9. As solid as fog
Meaning: Not solid or clear at all
Give an Instance: His promises were as solid as fog. / Counting on her felt like standing on fog.
Substitute Meaning: Untrustworthy / Can’t be counted on
10. Like a mask at a costume party
Meaning: Hides the true face
Give an Instance: She was like a mask at a costume party her true self was hidden. / He wore a smile like a mask, never showing how he really felt.
Substitute Meaning: Pretending / Not showing truth
11. As friendly as a thorn bush
Meaning: Seems okay, but causes hurt
Give an Instance: Her words were as friendly as a thorn bush full of little stings. / He smiled, but his actions were as friendly as a thorn bush.
Substitute Meaning: Pretends to be nice / Actually hurtful
12. Like ice in the sun
Meaning: Disappears when things get tough
Give an Instance: He was like ice in the sun gone when I needed him. / Her friendship melted like ice in the sun.
Substitute Meaning: Not lasting / Fades fast
13. As useful as a flat tire
Meaning: Not helpful at all
Give an Instance: He was as useful as a flat tire when I needed support. / Fake friends are like flat tires you can’t get far with them.
Substitute Meaning: Useless / No support
14. Like a cloud that blocks the sun
Meaning: Gets in the way of good times
Give an Instance: Her fake friendship was like a cloud blocking the sun. / He always showed up to ruin fun, like a cloud over a picnic.
Substitute Meaning: Brings down the mood / Not positive
15. As real as a paper castle
Meaning: Weak and easy to break
Give an Instance: His promises were as real as a paper castle. / Their friendship fell apart like a paper castle in the rain.
Substitute Meaning: Flimsy / Breaks easily
16. Like a bookmark in someone else’s story
Meaning: Only around when they benefit
Give an Instance: She was like a bookmark in his story only there for her part. / He acted like a friend but was just a bookmark, not part of my life.
Substitute Meaning: Selfish / Not a real part
17. As deep as a puddle
Meaning: Lacks true care
Give an Instance: His concern was as deep as a puddle. / Her friendship didn’t go deep it was just a puddle.
Substitute Meaning: Shallow / Not real feeling
18. Like a button that pops off
Meaning: Easily falls away
Give an Instance: He was like a button that pops off you never know when he’s gone. / Her friendship fell off like a loose button.
Substitute Meaning: Not attached / Leaves quickly
19. As strong as wet tissue
Meaning: Weak and breaks under pressure
Give an Instance: His promises were as strong as wet tissue. / Fake friends support you like wet tissue badly.
Substitute Meaning: Weak / Can’t be counted on
20. Like a bee with no honey
Meaning: Looks sweet but has no kindness
Give an Instance: She was like a bee with no honey just the sting. / He acted sweet, but was like a honeyless bee.
Substitute Meaning: Harsh / Not kind at all
21. As bright as a broken lightbulb
Meaning: Doesn’t shine or help
Give an Instance: His friendship was as bright as a broken bulb. / She was as helpful as a dead flashlight.
Substitute Meaning: No support / Not positive
22. Like a rope made of sand
Meaning: Falls apart when pulled
Give an Instance: Depending on him felt like grabbing a rope made of sand. / Her support broke apart like sand in water.
Substitute Meaning: Not dependable / No strength
23. As clear as muddy water
Meaning: Hard to understand
Give an Instance: His friendship was as clear as muddy water. / Fake friends talk in ways that are like muddy water.
Substitute Meaning: Confusing / Not honest
24. Like a pencil with no point
Meaning: Has no real use
Give an Instance: His friendship was like a pencil with no point. / She stayed around, but like a pointless pencil did nothing.
Substitute Meaning: Useless / Not meaningful
25. As comforting as a cold blanket
Meaning: Pretends to offer support but doesn’t
Give an Instance: She hugged me, but it was as comforting as a cold blanket. / He offered help that felt like a cold blanket.
Substitute Meaning: Empty comfort / Not real help
26. Like a ladder with missing steps
Meaning: Can’t help you rise
Give an Instance: He said he’d help, but he was like a ladder with missing steps. / Her support had too many gaps.
Substitute Meaning: Incomplete / Not helpful
27. As warm as a freezer
Meaning: Not caring
Give an Instance: Her smile was as warm as a freezer. / He treated me like a freezer cold and uncaring.
Substitute Meaning: Cold-hearted / Not friendly
28. Like a mirror that lies
Meaning: Shows something that isn’t true
Give an Instance: His words were like a mirror that lies. / She made me feel good, but it wasn’t real just a lying mirror.
Substitute Meaning: False / Misleading
29. As loyal as a cat in a storm
Meaning: Runs away when trouble comes
Give an Instance: When I needed her, she was as loyal as a cat in a storm. / Fake friends vanish when things get messy.
Substitute Meaning: Not reliable / Leaves when needed
30. Like a card house in wind
Meaning: Falls apart easily
Give an Instance: Their friendship was like a card house in wind. / It took one argument to knock it over.
Substitute Meaning: Fragile / Breaks fast
31. As honest as a magic trick
Meaning: Meant to fool
Give an Instance: His apology was as honest as a magic trick. / Fake friends always act like magic they fool you.
Substitute Meaning: Dishonest / Not real
32. Like shoes that don’t fit
Meaning: Doesn’t feel right
Give an Instance: Her friendship was like shoes that didn’t fit uncomfortable. / We were friends, but it never felt right.
Substitute Meaning: Not true / Doesn’t belong
33. As real as cartoon money
Meaning: Looks good but fake
Give an Instance: His help was as real as cartoon money. / She gave advice as fake as cartoon bills.
Substitute Meaning: Worthless / Not real support
34. Like music with no sound
Meaning: Seems good but empty
Give an Instance: The friendship felt like music with no sound. / Her nice words meant nothing like silent music.
Substitute Meaning: Hollow / Lacks meaning
35. As caring as a robot
Meaning: Acts like they care but doesn’t feel it
Give an Instance: He listened like a robot no real feeling. / She acted caring, but it was as real as a robot’s hug.
Substitute Meaning: Emotionless / Acts without feeling
36. Like a fork in soup
Meaning: Completely wrong for the situation
Give an Instance: Depending on him was like using a fork in soup. / Her support was as helpful as a fork with soup.
Substitute Meaning: Wrong fit / Not useful
37. As steady as a kite in a storm
Meaning: Out of control
Give an Instance: Our friendship was as steady as a kite in a storm. / He changed sides like a flying kite.
Substitute Meaning: Unstable / Always changing
38. Like paint on glass
Meaning: Looks good but easy to peel away
Give an Instance: Her kindness was like paint on glass it came off fast. / His good side peeled away like paint.
Substitute Meaning: Surface only / Not deep
39. As nice as a prickly bush
Meaning: Pretends to be kind but isn’t
Give an Instance: He talked nicely but was as nice as a prickly bush. / Her hug was as warm as a thorn.
Substitute Meaning: Mean inside / Pretends to be sweet
40. Like a lock with no key
Meaning: Offers no help
Give an Instance: She offered friendship like a lock with no key trapped. / He made promises no one could use.
Substitute Meaning: No way in / Not helpful
41. As soft as sandpaper
Meaning: Rough and harsh
Give an Instance: His words were as soft as sandpaper. / She gave “advice” as soft as a scratch.
Substitute Meaning: Mean / Not gentle
42. Like a glass of air
Meaning: Looks like something, but isn’t real
Give an Instance: That friendship was like a glass of air empty. / She promised help, but it was just air.
Substitute Meaning: Nothing real / Fake offering
43. As true as a rumor
Meaning: Not trustworthy
Give an Instance: His stories were as true as a rumor. / She made promises as real as a hallway whisper.
Substitute Meaning: Unreliable / Can’t believe it
44. Like a jacket made of paper
Meaning: Falls apart when needed
Give an Instance: He protected me like a paper jacket barely. / Her support ripped apart in the first challenge.
Substitute Meaning: Weak help / Not strong enough
45. As close as a stranger
Meaning: Pretends to be near, but isn’t
Give an Instance: He sat beside me, but was as close as a stranger. / Her words were friendly, but her heart felt far.
Substitute Meaning: Distant / No real connection
Find the “Similes about Fake Friends”
Reading Passage
At recess, Jordan sat alone near the swings. Earlier that morning, Max had promised to save him a spot at the lunch table, but when the time came, Max acted as close as a stranger and didn’t even wave. Sarah, who had been all smiles yesterday, turned away like a balloon in the wind, floating toward a new group.
When Lily walked by, she gave Jordan a quick grin, but it felt as fake as plastic fruit. Then, right after gym class, Max laughed with a group and called Jordan over, his voice as sweet as candy but left a bad taste. Jordan smiled back, but inside, he knew Max was just like a mask at a costume party hiding something.
During library time, Sarah asked Jordan for help on a project. Her kindness was as strong as wet tissue, barely holding up. “Thanks,” she said quickly and walked away, acting as loyal as a leaf in the wind. Jordan sighed. Some friends, he thought, are like mirrors with cracks you see something, but it’s not the whole truth.
He decided next time, he’d rather sit with someone who cared, not someone as honest as a magic trick.
Task for Students
Read the passage again. Underline or list all the similes about fake friends that you can find in the story.
Answer Key
- As close as a stranger
- Like a balloon in the wind
- As fake as plastic fruit
- As sweet as candy but left a bad taste
- Like a mask at a costume party
- As strong as wet tissue
- As loyal as a leaf in the wind
- Like mirrors with cracks
- As honest as a magic trick
Conclusion
Fake friends can be hard to spot at first. They may act nice but hurt you later. Similes help us understand what fake friendship feels like in a clear way.
By comparing fake friends to things like broken promises or plastic flowers, we can notice warning signs more easily. Real friends care, help, and stick around. Always choose friends who make you feel safe and valued.
