Sometimes we want to say that something is very quiet, but we don’t want to just use the word “quiet.” We can make our writing more fun by using similes. A simile is when we compare two things using the words “like” or “as.” It helps paint a picture in the reader’s mind. For example, if a room is very quiet, we might say, “It was as quiet as a mouse.” This helps the reader imagine how silent it really was.
In this article, we will learn similes that describe silence. These similes are easy to understand and can make your writing stronger. When you use a simile, it becomes easier for someone else to feel what you’re trying to say. Writers and speakers often use these similes to describe moments when no one is talking or when everything is still. Let’s explore some of them and see how they are used.
Similes For Silence
1. As quiet as a mouse
Meaning: Very quiet
Give an Instance: The boy walked in as quiet as a mouse. / She was as quiet as a mouse during the test.
Substitute Meaning: Silent / Barely made a sound
2. As silent as the night
Meaning: Very peaceful and still
Give an Instance: The house was as silent as the night. / After bedtime, the room was as silent as the night.
Substitute Meaning: Calm / No noise at all
3. As still as a statue
Meaning: Not moving and very quiet
Give an Instance: He stood as still as a statue. / The class was as still as a statue when the principal walked in.
Substitute Meaning: Motionless / Very quiet
4. As quiet as a whisper
Meaning: Very soft and quiet
Give an Instance: Her voice was as quiet as a whisper. / He spoke as quiet as a whisper during story time.
Substitute Meaning: Soft-spoken / Gentle sound
5. As hush as snowfall
Meaning: Quiet and gentle
Give an Instance: The world felt as hush as snowfall. / Their steps were as hush as snowfall on the sidewalk.
Substitute Meaning: Peaceful / No loud sound
6. As quiet as a shadow
Meaning: Makes no sound at all
Give an Instance: He moved as quiet as a shadow. / She came in as quiet as a shadow.
Substitute Meaning: Silent / Sneaky quiet
7. As silent as a grave
Meaning: Very, very quiet
Give an Instance: The room was as silent as a grave. / It was as silent as a grave after the movie ended.
Substitute Meaning: Still / Very hushed
8. As calm as a sleeping baby
Meaning: Quiet and peaceful
Give an Instance: The classroom was as calm as a sleeping baby. / The puppy was as calm as a sleeping baby.
Substitute Meaning: Peaceful / No noise
9. As still as a pond
Meaning: No movement or sound
Give an Instance: The library was as still as a pond. / They waited as still as a pond.
Substitute Meaning: Not moving / Quiet
10. As silent as falling snow
Meaning: Quiet in a soft, gentle way
Give an Instance: Her entrance was as silent as falling snow. / The forest was as silent as falling snow.
Substitute Meaning: Soft and quiet / Very gentle
11. As quiet as a cloud
Meaning: Light and soundless
Give an Instance: She moved as quiet as a cloud. / His thoughts were as quiet as a cloud drifting by.
Substitute Meaning: Soft / Without sound
12. As still as a picture
Meaning: No movement or noise
Give an Instance: Everyone froze, as still as a picture. / The deer stood as still as a picture.
Substitute Meaning: Unmoving / Very quiet
13. As silent as deep space
Meaning: Totally quiet
Give an Instance: The attic was as silent as deep space. / Their room at night was as silent as deep space.
Substitute Meaning: Complete silence / Totally still
14. As quiet as a closed book
Meaning: No sound, nothing happening
Give an Instance: The classroom was as quiet as a closed book. / He sat there as quiet as a closed book.
Substitute Meaning: Quiet / Inactive
15. As soft as a cat’s paw
Meaning: Quiet in movement or touch
Give an Instance: She walked in as soft as a cat’s paw. / His steps were as soft as a cat’s paw.
Substitute Meaning: Gentle / Softly quiet
16. As silent as the moon
Meaning: Quiet and calm
Give an Instance: The night felt as silent as the moon. / The porch was as silent as the moon.
Substitute Meaning: Calm / Peaceful
17. As quiet as a secret
Meaning: Very hush and private
Give an Instance: He told it as quiet as a secret. / She was as quiet as a secret hiding in her room.
Substitute Meaning: Hushed / Low voice
18. As still as dawn
Meaning: Peaceful with no noise
Give an Instance: The yard was as still as dawn. / The morning was as still as dawn before anyone woke up.
Substitute Meaning: Peaceful / Calm moment
19. As quiet as an empty hallway
Meaning: No one and nothing making noise
Give an Instance: The school was as quiet as an empty hallway. / It felt as quiet as an empty hallway during break.
Substitute Meaning: Silent / No activity
20. As silent as a secret glance
Meaning: Quiet and unnoticed
Give an Instance: Her look was as silent as a secret glance. / They left as silent as a secret glance.
Substitute Meaning: Unspoken / Quiet action
21. As quiet as a snail
Meaning: Slow and without noise
Give an Instance: He crept as quiet as a snail. / Her moves were as quiet as a snail on the floor.
Substitute Meaning: Slow and silent / Barely there
22. As still as midnight
Meaning: Very peaceful and dark
Give an Instance: The room was as still as midnight. / The lake was as still as midnight under the stars.
Substitute Meaning: Peaceful / Not moving
23. As quiet as a closed curtain
Meaning: Hiding and calm
Give an Instance: The stage was as quiet as a closed curtain. / Their house felt as quiet as a closed curtain at bedtime.
Substitute Meaning: Calm / Nothing seen or heard
24. As soft as a breeze
Meaning: Gentle and smooth
Give an Instance: Her voice was as soft as a breeze. / The wind was as soft as a breeze through the trees.
Substitute Meaning: Quiet / Very light sound
25. As silent as a ghost
Meaning: Makes no sound
Give an Instance: He entered the room as silent as a ghost. / The cat was as silent as a ghost.
Substitute Meaning: Unheard / Sneaky quiet
26. As quiet as a feather
Meaning: Very soft and gentle
Give an Instance: The touch was as quiet as a feather. / She walked as quiet as a feather on the floor.
Substitute Meaning: Light and quiet / Barely a sound
27. As still as a closed door
Meaning: Nothing moving
Give an Instance: The classroom was as still as a closed door. / The air felt as still as a closed door.
Substitute Meaning: Motionless / Calm
28. As quiet as the wind before a storm
Meaning: An eerie calm
Give an Instance: It was as quiet as the wind before a storm. / The field was as quiet as the wind before a storm.
Substitute Meaning: Still / Waiting in silence
29. As silent as a sleeping cat
Meaning: Peacefully quiet
Give an Instance: The couch was as silent as a sleeping cat. / She sat there as silent as a sleeping cat.
Substitute Meaning: Calm / Resting without sound
30. As quiet as a blink
Meaning: Happens without sound
Give an Instance: It was gone as quiet as a blink. / He left the room as quiet as a blink.
Substitute Meaning: Fast and quiet / Quiet and quick
31. As still as early morning
Meaning: Very peaceful and quiet
Give an Instance: The road was as still as early morning. / Her breath was as still as early morning air.
Substitute Meaning: Calm / No sound
32. As quiet as empty shoes
Meaning: Nothing moving
Give an Instance: The hallway was as quiet as empty shoes. / It was as quiet as empty shoes on the floor.
Substitute Meaning: Still / Motionless
33. As silent as a blank page
Meaning: Nothing happening
Give an Instance: Their minds were as silent as a blank page. / The room was as silent as a blank page.
Substitute Meaning: Empty / No action
34. As quiet as tiptoes
Meaning: Soft and careful
Give an Instance: He came in as quiet as tiptoes. / She walked out as quiet as tiptoes across the rug.
Substitute Meaning: Very quiet / Gentle movement
35. As silent as the deep ocean
Meaning: Vast and quiet
Give an Instance: The moment felt as silent as the deep ocean. / The room was as silent as the deep ocean at night.
Substitute Meaning: Big and quiet / Deep silence
36. As quiet as a nap
Meaning: Calm and restful
Give an Instance: The baby’s room was as quiet as a nap. / It was as quiet as a nap on a Sunday.
Substitute Meaning: Soft / Sleepy quiet
37. As still as a snow globe
Meaning: Nothing moves
Give an Instance: The classroom was as still as a snow globe. / Her hands were as still as a snow globe on the shelf.
Substitute Meaning: Frozen / Perfectly still
38. As quiet as a sigh
Meaning: Very soft and low
Give an Instance: Her goodbye was as quiet as a sigh. / The wind was as quiet as a sigh.
Substitute Meaning: Gentle / Light sound
39. As silent as the stars
Meaning: Beautiful and quiet
Give an Instance: The sky was as silent as the stars. / Their walk home was as silent as the stars above.
Substitute Meaning: Peaceful / Quiet and bright
40. As quiet as new snow
Meaning: Clean and soundless
Give an Instance: The backyard was as quiet as new snow. / Their steps were as quiet as new snow on the sidewalk.
Substitute Meaning: Fresh and quiet / Soft
41. As still as a sleeping puppy
Meaning: Calm and cute
Give an Instance: She was as still as a sleeping puppy during the story. / The room felt as still as a sleeping puppy.
Substitute Meaning: Resting / Peaceful
42. As quiet as a hidden treasure
Meaning: Secret and silent
Give an Instance: His voice was as quiet as a hidden treasure. / She kept her thoughts as quiet as a hidden treasure.
Substitute Meaning: Unspoken / Private
43. As silent as a button
Meaning: Makes no sound
Give an Instance: The drawer was as silent as a button. / He stood as silent as a button.
Substitute Meaning: No noise / Completely still
44. As quiet as an empty park
Meaning: No one around
Give an Instance: The school felt as quiet as an empty park. / Her walk was as quiet as an empty park.
Substitute Meaning: Lonely / Very still
45. As quiet as a turned-off phone
Meaning: No sound at all
Give an Instance: The room was as quiet as a turned-off phone. / He stayed as quiet as a turned-off phone during the speech.
Substitute Meaning: Silent / Nothing coming out
Find the “Similes for Silence”
Reading Passage
It was the day of the big classroom surprise. Everyone had guessed it might be a movie or a special snack, but no one really knew. As the clock ticked, the class grew as quiet as a mouse. Even the class clown, Marcus, was as still as a statue.
When Ms. Rivera walked in with a big box, the room became as silent as a grave. She smiled and said nothing. The air felt as hush as snowfall. Some students leaned forward, their movements as quiet as tiptoes.
She opened the box slowly. The class waited, as silent as deep space. Inside were brand-new art kits. Their surprise was as quiet as a blink no one even gasped. The moment was as soft as a cat’s paw, gentle and light.
Later, while painting, the room stayed as quiet as an empty hallway. Even when the brushes moved, it was as quiet as a feather floating down. It was one of the calmest afternoons they ever had. Everything felt as peaceful as a sleeping baby.
Directions for Students
Read the story again. Find and underline or list all the similes used to describe silence.
Answer Key
- As quiet as a mouse
- As still as a statue
- As silent as a grave
- As hush as snowfall
- As quiet as tiptoes
- As silent as deep space
- As quiet as a blink
- As soft as a cat’s paw
- As quiet as an empty hallway
- As quiet as a feather
- As peaceful as a sleeping baby
Conclusion
Using similes is a smart way to describe silence in fun and clear ways. When we say something is “as quiet as a feather” or “as silent as deep space,” it helps readers understand how still or calm a moment feels. These phrases can make writing more interesting without using hard words.
Now that you’ve learned many similes for silence, you can use them to write better stories, poems, or even classroom answers. The right simile can help your writing sound more real and more fun to read. Keep practicing, and soon these quiet comparisons will come to you easily.
