Darkness surrounds us in many formsnightfall,shadows,mystery or fear. Sometimes, we want to describe how deep eerie or complete the darkness feels. Similes help paint vivid pictures making descriptions more engaging and memorable. In this article you’ll explore 60+ similes for darkness each with a meaning, three example sentences and alternative ways to express the idea.
Let’s dive into these creative comparisons
Similes for Darkness
1. Darkness as Black as Coal
Meaning: Extremely dark, pitch-black.
Examples:
- “The cave was as black as coal; I couldn’t see my hand in front of me.”
- “Her room became as black as coal when the lights went out.”
- “The night was as black as coal, hiding every path.”
Other Ways to Say: Pitch-black, Jet-black
2. Darkness Like Ink
Meaning: Thick, dense darkness that spreads quickly.
Examples:
- “Darkness crept in like ink, swallowing the horizon.”
- “His fear grew as the room filled with darkness like ink.”
- “The forest at night was like ink, hiding every tree.”
Other Ways to Say: Inky darkness, Deep shadow
3. Darkness as Thick as Fog
Meaning: Hard to see through, heavy and enveloping darkness.
Examples:
- “The street was as thick as fog, making it impossible to walk safely.”
- “Darkness as thick as fog surrounded the old castle.”
- “Her mind felt as dark as thick fog after the bad news.”
Other Ways to Say: Dense darkness, Heavy shadow
4. Darkness Like a Blanket
Meaning: Covering everything completely.
Examples:
- “Night fell like a blanket, covering the village in silence.”
- “Darkness spread over the mountains like a blanket.”
- “He wrapped himself in darkness like a blanket to hide from sight.”
Other Ways to Say: Cloaked in darkness, Wrapped in shadow
5. Darkness as Silent as Grave
Meaning: Complete darkness combined with silence; eerie.
Examples:
- “The abandoned house was as silent as a grave, shrouded in darkness.”
- “The night was as silent as a grave, darkness pressing in.”
- “He moved carefully through the room, as silent as a grave in darkness.”
Other Ways to Say: Deadly silence, Ghostly dark
6. Darkness Like Midnight
Meaning: Deep darkness, typically associated with the middle of the night.
Examples:
- “The forest was like midnight, with shadows hiding every path.”
- “Her thoughts were dark like midnight, heavy and quiet.”
- “The sky was like midnight, full of stars but completely black around.”
Other Ways to Say: Pitch-night, Midnight-black
7. Darkness as Deep as the Ocean
Meaning: Vast, endless darkness.
Examples:
- “The cave descended into darkness as deep as the ocean.”
- “His despair felt like darkness as deep as the ocean.”
- “The tunnel stretched on, darkness as deep as the ocean surrounding him.”
Other Ways to Say: Abyssal darkness, Infinite black
8. Darkness Like Shadows
Meaning: Creeping, moving darkness.
Examples:
- “The alley was full of darkness like shadows creeping along the walls.”
- “Fear approached like darkness moving as shadows.”
- “The room felt alive with darkness like shadows shifting.”
Other Ways to Say: Shadowy darkness, Dark silhouettes
9. Darkness as Cold as Ice
Meaning: Dark and chilling; evokes fear or discomfort.
Examples:
- “The abandoned house was as cold and dark as ice.”
- “Her heart felt darkness as cold as ice after hearing the news.”
- “The night air was as cold as ice, full of darkness.”
Other Ways to Say: Frosty darkness, Icy shadow
10. Darkness Like a Tunnel
Meaning: Long, enclosing, and confining darkness.
Examples:
- “The corridor was dark like a tunnel, stretching endlessly.”
- “He felt trapped in darkness like a tunnel with no exit.”
- “The path through the forest was like a tunnel, black and confining.”
Other Ways to Say: Confining darkness, Tunnel-like black
11. Darkness as Heavy as Lead
Meaning: Thick, oppressive darkness.
Examples:
- “The fog made the night feel as heavy as lead.”
- “His thoughts were as heavy as lead in the darkness.”
- “Darkness pressed down on them as heavy as lead.”
Other Ways to Say: Oppressive darkness, Weighty shadow
12. Darkness Like Smoke
Meaning: Dark, spreading, and obscuring.
Examples:
- “The forest was like smoke, darkness curling between the trees.”
- “The air was filled with darkness like smoke.”
- “She moved carefully through darkness like smoke drifting.”
Other Ways to Say: Smoky blackness, Shadowy haze
13. Darkness as Endless as Night
Meaning: Infinite, unbroken darkness.
Examples:
- “The desert night felt as endless as night itself.”
- “He stared into darkness as endless as night.”
- “The cave was as endless as night, swallowing the light.”
Other Ways to Say: Limitless darkness, Eternal black
14. Darkness Like a Cloak
Meaning: Covers everything, hides things.
Examples:
- “The city wore darkness like a cloak at dusk.”
- “Fear cloaked him in darkness like a thick garment.”
- “Darkness spread over the battlefield like a cloak.”
Other Ways to Say: Shrouded in darkness, Covered in shadow
15. Darkness as Silent as Night
Meaning: Still and quiet darkness.
Examples:
- “The forest was as silent as night, enveloped in darkness.”
- “He moved through the streets, darkness as silent as night around him.”
- “Her thoughts were as silent as night, dark and heavy.”
Other Ways to Say: Quiet darkness, Night-still shadow
16. Darkness Like a Cave
Meaning: Enclosed, mysterious, and pitch-black.
Examples:
- “The tunnel was dark like a cave, swallowing every hint of light.”
- “Her thoughts felt like a cave, dark and endless.”
- “The forest at midnight was like a cave, hiding secrets in shadows.”
Other Ways to Say: Cave-like darkness, Enclosed blackness
17. Darkness as Soft as Velvet
Meaning: Smooth, rich, and enveloping darkness.
Examples:
- “Night fell softly, darkness as soft as velvet around the city.”
- “The theater was as dark as velvet before the play began.”
- “Her blanket was like darkness as soft as velvet, comforting and deep.”
Other Ways to Say: Velvet-black, Smooth darkness
18. Darkness Like a Shadowed Forest
Meaning: Mysterious, layered, and foreboding darkness.
Examples:
- “The forest at dusk was like a shadowed forest, full of hidden paths.”
- “Fear crept over him, darkness like a shadowed forest filling his mind.”
- “The castle stood ominously, darkness like a shadowed forest surrounding it.”
Other Ways to Say: Forest-shadow darkness, Eerie layered darkness
19. Darkness as Silent as a Tomb
Meaning: Completely still and oppressive darkness.
Examples:
- “The abandoned mausoleum was as silent as a tomb, dark and lifeless.”
- “The night was as silent as a tomb, darkness pressing in from every side.”
- “Her bedroom felt as silent as a tomb, darkness swallowing all sounds.”
Other Ways to Say: Tomb-like darkness, Deathly still shadow
20. Darkness Like a Storm Cloud
Meaning: Heavy, threatening, and ready to overwhelm.
Examples:
- “The sky darkened like a storm cloud, darkness ready to burst.”
- “His mood was like a storm cloud, darkness gathering inside him.”
- “Even the village felt like a storm cloud, shadows covering every corner.”
Other Ways to Say: Stormy darkness, Ominous blackness
21. Darkness as Thick as Oil
Meaning: Heavy, suffocating, almost tangible darkness.
Examples:
- “The night was as thick as oil, impossible to see through.”
- “Fear made the darkness feel as thick as oil around her.”
- “The cave’s interior was as thick as oil, swallowing light completely.”
Other Ways to Say: Viscous darkness, Dense black shadow
22. Darkness Like a Veil
Meaning: Covers and conceals; soft but hiding everything.
Examples:
- “The town lay under darkness like a veil, secrets hidden beneath.”
- “Her sadness wrapped her in darkness like a veil.”
- “The mountain peaks disappeared into darkness like a veil.”
Other Ways to Say: Shrouded darkness, Concealing shadow
23. Darkness as Deep as a Well
Meaning: Endless, bottomless darkness.
Examples:
- “The pit was as dark as a well, swallowing all light.”
- “Her despair felt as deep as a well, darkness closing in.”
- “He peered into the abyss, darkness as deep as a well staring back.”
Other Ways to Say: Bottomless darkness, Abyssal shadow
24. Darkness Like a Void
Meaning: Empty, limitless, and absolute darkness.
Examples:
- “The space outside the ship was like a void, pure darkness stretching infinitely.”
- “After the lights went out, the room became like a void.”
- “His mind felt like a void, dark and endless.”
Other Ways to Say: Emptiness, Infinite blackness
25. Darkness as Opaque as Glass
Meaning: Light cannot pass through; impenetrable darkness.
Examples:
- “The basement was as opaque as glass, nothing visible inside.”
- “The night felt as opaque as glass, hiding every path.”
- “Her memory was as opaque as glass, darkness filling the gaps.”
Other Ways to Say: Impenetrable darkness, Murky blackness
26. Darkness Like a Blanket of Snow (without Light)
Meaning: Covers everything evenly, but unlike snow, it is black.
Examples:
- “The city was covered in darkness like a blanket, streets invisible.”
- “The room lay quiet, darkness like a blanket over her thoughts.”
- “Mountains disappeared under darkness like a thick, black blanket.”
Other Ways to Say: Enveloping darkness, Sweeping shadow
27. Darkness as Quiet as Midnight
Meaning: Still, calm, and enveloping darkness.
Examples:
- “The lake was as quiet as midnight, darkness reflecting in the water.”
- “Her thoughts floated in darkness as quiet as midnight.”
- “The streets were as quiet as midnight, darkness all around.”
Other Ways to Say: Midnight-still darkness, Silent blackness
28. Darkness Like a Curtain
Meaning: Hides everything; dramatic and enveloping.
Examples:
- “The stage lights went out, darkness fell like a curtain.”
- “The mountains disappeared behind darkness like a curtain.”
- “His vision closed, darkness like a curtain covering the world.”
Other Ways to Say: Curtain-like darkness, Draped shadow
29. Darkness as Black as a Raven
Meaning: Deep, natural black, often mysterious or ominous.
Examples:
- “The night sky was as black as a raven, foreboding and silent.”
- “Her dress blended into darkness as black as a raven.”
- “The forest canopy made the trail as black as a raven.”
Other Ways to Say: Raven-dark, Pitch-black
30. Darkness Like a Well of Ink
Meaning: Thick, dark, and spreading everywhere.
Examples:
- “The cave opened into darkness like a well of ink.”
- “Her sadness poured out, filling the room with darkness like ink.”
- “The night grew deeper, darkness like a well of ink.”
Other Ways to Say: Inky darkness, Thick blackness
31. Darkness Like a Shadow
Meaning: Creeping, moving darkness that hides details.
Examples:
- “The hallway was dark like a shadow, stretching with every step.”
- “Fear crept over him like a shadow, darkness wrapping around his heart.”
- “The mountains loomed like shadows, darkness filling the valleys.”
Other Ways to Say: Shadowy darkness, Creeping blackness
32. Darkness as Heavy as Night
Meaning: Oppressive, overwhelming darkness.
Examples:
- “The attic felt as heavy as night, darkness pressing down.”
- “His thoughts sank into darkness as heavy as night.”
- “The streets at midnight were as heavy as night, empty and black.”
Other Ways to Say: Oppressive blackness, Weighty darkness
33. Darkness Like a Pit
Meaning: Deep, enclosing, and inescapable darkness.
Examples:
- “The basement was like a pit, darkness swallowing all light.”
- “Her loneliness felt like a pit, darkness surrounding her mind.”
- “He stumbled into darkness like a pit, no end in sight.”
Other Ways to Say: Abyssal darkness, Bottomless shadow
34. Darkness as Silent as Fog
Meaning: Still and quiet, with a soft but enveloping quality.
Examples:
- “The street was as silent as fog, darkness curling around the lampposts.”
- “Her mind felt darkness as silent as fog, thoughts muffled.”
- “The forest was as silent as fog, darkness hiding the path.”
Other Ways to Say: Quiet darkness, Hushed shadow
35. Darkness Like a Cloak of Night
Meaning: Covers everything completely, mysterious.
Examples:
- “The city was hidden under darkness like a cloak of night.”
- “Her sorrow wrapped her in darkness like a cloak of night.”
- “The mountains vanished into darkness like a cloak of night.”
Other Ways to Say: Night-shrouded darkness, Enveloping blackness
36. Darkness as Endless as a Tunnel
Meaning: Long, confining, unbroken darkness.
Examples:
- “The passage seemed as endless as a tunnel, darkness pressing in.”
- “Her fear made the night feel as endless as a tunnel.”
- “The storm left the streets as endless as a tunnel, dark and foreboding.”
Other Ways to Say: Tunnel-like darkness, Infinite shadow
37. Darkness Like a Black Hole
Meaning: Inescapable, absorbing all light and hope.
Examples:
- “Her grief swallowed her like a black hole, darkness everywhere.”
- “The cave’s mouth was like a black hole, pulling in light.”
- “His thoughts drifted into darkness like a black hole in space.”
Other Ways to Say: Absorbing darkness, Void-like blackness
38. Darkness as Thick as Velvet
Meaning: Rich, smooth, and heavy darkness.
Examples:
- “The theater curtains fell, darkness as thick as velvet enveloping the stage.”
- “Her bedroom was as dark as velvet, soft shadows everywhere.”
- “The night air was darkness as thick as velvet, calm and still.”
Other Ways to Say: Velvet-black, Smooth darkness
39. Darkness Like a Desert Night
Meaning: Vast, empty, and enveloping darkness.
Examples:
- “The desert stretched before him, darkness like a desert night.”
- “Her thoughts wandered into darkness like a desert night.”
- “The wilderness was silent, darkness like a desert night covering everything.”
Other Ways to Say: Desert-black, Empty night
40. Darkness as Dense as Smoke
Meaning: Heavy, obscuring, and spreading.
Examples:
- “The fire left darkness as dense as smoke in the air.”
- “Her fear made the room as dense as smoke, darkness pressing in.”
- “The forest was darkness as dense as smoke, hiding every tree.”
Other Ways to Say: Smoky darkness, Obscured blackness
41. Darkness Like a Moonless Night
Meaning: Complete darkness with no source of light.
Examples:
- “The sky was like a moonless night, darkness without relief.”
- “The cave felt like a moonless night, everything swallowed in black.”
- “Her room was like a moonless night, shadows everywhere.”
Other Ways to Say: Moonless black, Starless darkness
42. Darkness as Creeping as a Spider
Meaning: Slowly spreading, eerie darkness.
Examples:
- “The shadows moved across the floor, darkness creeping like a spider.”
- “Fear spread through him, darkness as creeping as a spider.”
- “The fog rolled in, darkness creeping like a spider over the village.”
Other Ways to Say: Creep-like darkness, Eerie blackness
43. Darkness Like a Bottomless Well
Meaning: Deep, endless darkness.
Examples:
- “The abyss looked like a bottomless well, darkness at the bottom.”
- “Her depression was like a bottomless well, darkness consuming her.”
- “The cave’s depths were darkness like a bottomless well.”
Other Ways to Say: Endless darkness, Abyssal shadow
44. Darkness as Silent as a Library
Meaning: Very quiet and still darkness.
Examples:
- “The house was as silent as a library, darkness all around.”
- “Her thoughts floated in darkness as silent as a library.”
- “The forest lay as silent as a library, darkness stretching through it.”
Other Ways to Say: Quiet darkness, Hushed blackness
45. Darkness Like a Veiled Night
Meaning: Hidden, mysterious darkness.
Examples:
- “The garden was darkness like a veiled night, shadows hiding every corner.”
- “Her emotions were darkness like a veiled night, unreadable and deep.”
- “The mountains disappeared into darkness like a veiled night.”
Other Ways to Say: Shrouded darkness, Hidden blackness
46. Darkness as Black as Pitch
Meaning: Absolute blackness.
Examples:
- “The cave was as black as pitch, swallowing all light.”
- “The night sky was as black as pitch, endless and deep.”
- “His room felt as black as pitch after the lights went out.”
Other Ways to Say: Pitch-black, Jet-black
47. Darkness Like a Phantom
Meaning: Ghostly, elusive darkness.
Examples:
- “Shadows moved like a phantom, darkness chilling the hall.”
- “Fear crept like a phantom, darkness trailing behind.”
- “The night seemed alive, darkness like a phantom surrounding them.”
Other Ways to Say: Ghostly darkness, Haunting shadow
48. Darkness as Thick as Nightfall
Meaning: Dense and heavy darkness of evening.
Examples:
- “The mountains were as thick as nightfall, darkness covering every path.”
- “Her room felt darkness as thick as nightfall.”
- “The forest was as thick as nightfall, impossible to see far.”
Other Ways to Say: Nightfall-dark, Dense shadow
49. Darkness Like a Secret
Meaning: Hidden, mysterious darkness.
Examples:
- “The attic held darkness like a secret, every corner unknown.”
- “Her thoughts were darkness like a secret, unreadable and deep.”
- “The alley was darkness like a secret, hiding everything within.”
Other Ways to Say: Hidden darkness, Mysterious shadow
50. Darkness as Heavy as a Mountain
Meaning: Oppressively thick darkness.
Examples:
- “The cave was darkness as heavy as a mountain, impossible to escape.”
- “Fear made her mind as heavy as a mountain, darkness pressing in.”
- “The night felt darkness as heavy as a mountain.”
Other Ways to Say: Mountainous darkness, Weighty blackness
51. Darkness Like a Swallowing Sea
Meaning: Engulfing, vast darkness.
Examples:
- “The ocean at night was darkness like a swallowing sea.”
- “Her thoughts were darkness like a swallowing sea, overwhelming.”
- “The valley disappeared into darkness like a swallowing sea.”
Other Ways to Say: Engulfing darkness, Vast blackness
52. Darkness as Endless as a Shadow
Meaning: Continuous, unbroken darkness.
Examples:
- “The night stretched as endless as a shadow.”
- “Her room was darkness as endless as a shadow.”
- “The hallway was darkness as endless as a shadow, without light.”
Other Ways to Say: Infinite darkness, Continuous blackness
53. Darkness Like a Cloak of Silence
Meaning: Heavy, enveloping darkness combined with quiet.
Examples:
- “The forest lay darkness like a cloak of silence.”
- “Her fear wrapped her in darkness like a cloak of silence.”
- “The city slept, darkness like a cloak of silence covering it.”
Other Ways to Say: Silent darkness, Hushed blackness
54. Darkness as Empty as Space
Meaning: Vast, infinite, and hollow darkness.
Examples:
- “The night sky felt darkness as empty as space.”
- “Her mind was darkness as empty as space, endless and cold.”
- “The cave stretched on, darkness as empty as space.”
Other Ways to Say: Space-like darkness, Hollow blackness
55. Darkness Like a Forgotten Room
Meaning: Abandoned, eerie darkness.
Examples:
- “The attic was darkness like a forgotten room, covered in dust.”
- “Her mind felt darkness like a forgotten room, filled with memories.”
- “The basement lay darkness like a forgotten room, quiet and still.”
Other Ways to Say: Abandoned darkness, Neglected shadow
56. Darkness as Mysterious as Fog
Meaning: Confusing, obscure, and hard to see through.
Examples:
- “The forest was darkness as mysterious as fog.”
- “Her thoughts drifted into darkness as mysterious as fog.”
- “The path ahead was darkness as mysterious as fog, hiding every step.”
Other Ways to Say: Foggy darkness, Obscure blackness
57. Darkness Like a Trap
Meaning: Confines, encloses, and feels inescapable.
Examples:
- “The cave was darkness like a trap, no way out.”
- “Her despair felt darkness like a trap, closing in.”
- “The alley was darkness like a trap, walls hiding every exit.”
Other Ways to Say: Confining darkness, Trapped blackness
58. Darkness as Black as Coal Dust
Meaning: Fine, deep, and pervasive blackness.
Examples:
- “The mine was darkness as black as coal dust.”
- “Her thoughts sank into darkness as black as coal dust.”
- “The storm left streets darkness as black as coal dust.”
Other Ways to Say: Coal-black, Pitch-black
59. Darkness Like a Curtain of Night
Meaning: Covers and hides everything dramatically.
Examples:
- “The sun set, darkness like a curtain of night spreading across the city.”
- “Her thoughts were darkness like a curtain of night, thick and heavy.”
- “The mountains disappeared into darkness like a curtain of night.”
Other Ways to Say: Draped darkness, Enveloping shadow
60. Darkness as Quiet as a Whisper
Meaning: Soft, subtle, and still darkness.
Examples:
- “The room lay darkness as quiet as a whisper.”
- “Her thoughts drifted into darkness as quiet as a whisper.”
- “The forest was darkness as quiet as a whisper, peaceful and soft.”
Other Ways to Say: Gentle darkness, Whisper-soft blackness
🎯 Conclusion:
Similes for darkness make your writing rich expressive. From pitch-black to eerie, mysterious, or soft night, these similes help you describe every type of darkness. Use them in stories, poems, blogsor daily conversation to create memorable and imaginative images.
Practice with exercises invent your own similes and watch your descriptions come alive with every shade of darkness!
