Jealousy is a complex and often painful emotion that can cloud our thoughts and relationships. Using similes for jealousy helps us describe this feeling with depth and clarity, making it easier to understand and communicate. Here are 32 similes that capture the many facets of jealousy—sharp, simmering, and sometimes overwhelming.
1. Like a green-eyed monster
Meaning: Classic symbol of jealousy, fierce and consuming
In a sentence: His jealousy crept in like a green-eyed monster, devouring his peace.
Tone: Intense, warning
Other ways to say: Like envy’s beast, consuming shadow
2. Like fire smoldering under ashes
Meaning: Jealousy quietly burning beneath the surface
In a sentence: Her jealousy was like fire smoldering under ashes, ready to flare up.
Tone: Dangerous, simmering
Other ways to say: Like hidden blaze, quiet heat
3. Like a storm brewing
Meaning: Growing tension and turmoil of jealousy
In a sentence: Jealousy built inside him like a storm brewing on the horizon.
Tone: Ominous, tense
Other ways to say: Like thunder gathering, tension rising
4. Like poison in the veins
Meaning: Jealousy spreading harmfully inside
In a sentence: The jealousy ran through her like poison in the veins.
Tone: Harmful, toxic
Other ways to say: Like venom, toxic flow
5. Like a shadow that won’t leave
Meaning: Persistent jealousy that follows relentlessly
In a sentence: Jealousy clung to him like a shadow that won’t leave.
Tone: Persistent, oppressive
Other ways to say: Like dark cloud, constant weight
6. Like a wolf at the door
Meaning: Jealousy as a threatening, persistent presence
In a sentence: Her jealousy was like a wolf at the door, fierce and unrelenting.
Tone: Threatening, anxious
Other ways to say: Like predator waiting, constant danger
7. Like a tangled vine
Meaning: Jealousy complicating thoughts and feelings
In a sentence: His jealousy twisted around his heart like a tangled vine.
Tone: Confusing, restrictive
Other ways to say: Like choking plant, complicated mess
8. Like a burning coal
Meaning: Jealousy as a hot, painful sensation
In a sentence: The jealousy felt like a burning coal in her chest.
Tone: Painful, intense
Other ways to say: Like hot ember, painful heat
9. Like a storm of wasps
Meaning: Jealousy causing sharp irritation and chaos
In a sentence: His jealousy swarmed like a storm of wasps around his thoughts.
Tone: Agitated, painful
Other ways to say: Like angry bees, buzzing chaos
10. Like a tight cage
Meaning: Feeling trapped by jealous emotions
In a sentence: Jealousy held her like a tight cage, locking away peace.
Tone: Confining, stressful
Other ways to say: Like prison bars, confined space
11. Like a simmering volcano
Meaning: Jealousy building pressure ready to erupt
In a sentence: His jealousy simmered like a volcano ready to explode.
Tone: Intense, volatile
Other ways to say: Like pressure cooker, about to blow
12. Like a bitter root
Meaning: Jealousy as a lingering, unpleasant feeling
In a sentence: The jealousy took root like a bitter root in her heart.
Tone: Unpleasant, persistent
Other ways to say: Like thorn, unpleasant growth
13. Like a dark fog
Meaning: Jealousy clouding the mind and vision
In a sentence: Jealousy rolled in like a dark fog, blurring her thoughts.
Tone: Confusing, gloomy
Other ways to say: Like haze, mental cloud
14. Like a creeping vine
Meaning: Slowly growing jealousy that entangles
In a sentence: Jealousy crept around him like a creeping vine, tightening slowly.
Tone: Gradual, invasive
Other ways to say: Like climbing plant, slow trap
15. Like a prickly thorn
Meaning: Jealousy causing sharp discomfort
In a sentence: His jealousy was like a prickly thorn that never stopped irritating.
Tone: Annoying, painful
Other ways to say: Like splinter, sharp pain
16. Like a cold wind
Meaning: Jealousy chilling emotions and relationships
In a sentence: Jealousy blew through their friendship like a cold wind.
Tone: Distant, chilling
Other ways to say: Like frost, cold breath
17. Like a locked door
Meaning: Jealousy blocking access to trust or peace
In a sentence: Her jealousy was like a locked door she couldn’t open.
Tone: Blocking, frustrating
Other ways to say: Like barrier, closed gate
18. Like a burning itch
Meaning: Jealousy causing restless irritation
In a sentence: The jealousy was like a burning itch she couldn’t scratch.
Tone: Uncomfortable, persistent
Other ways to say: Like irritation, nagging feeling
19. Like a rattlesnake’s warning
Meaning: Jealousy as a threatening sign before harm
In a sentence: His jealousy rattled like a warning from a snake.
Tone: Threatening, tense
Other ways to say: Like danger sign, warning rattle
20. Like a shadowy thief
Meaning: Jealousy stealing peace quietly
In a sentence: Jealousy crept in like a shadowy thief stealing joy.
Tone: Stealthy, harmful
Other ways to say: Like silent robber, unseen danger
21. Like a boiling pot
Meaning: Jealousy reaching a dangerous peak
In a sentence: Her jealousy boiled like a pot about to overflow.
Tone: Intense, explosive
Other ways to say: Like boiling water, near explosion
22. Like a tangled web
Meaning: Jealousy causing complicated problems
In a sentence: Jealousy wove a tangled web around his mind.
Tone: Complex, confusing
Other ways to say: Like messy net, complicated trap
23. Like a rusting chain
Meaning: Jealousy that slowly corrodes and weakens
In a sentence: The jealousy was like a rusting chain, slowly breaking bonds.
Tone: Weakening, destructive
Other ways to say: Like corrosion, gradual decay
24. Like a venomous snake
Meaning: Jealousy that can cause deep harm
In a sentence: His jealousy struck like a venomous snake’s bite.
Tone: Dangerous, painful
Other ways to say: Like poisonous bite, deadly sting
25. Like a stormy sea
Meaning: Turbulent and overwhelming jealousy
In a sentence: Jealousy tossed her emotions like a stormy sea.
Tone: Chaotic, intense
Other ways to say: Like rough ocean, wild waves
26. Like a dark cloud overhead
Meaning: Jealousy casting a shadow on happiness
In a sentence: Jealousy hovered like a dark cloud overhead.
Tone: Gloomy, ominous
Other ways to say: Like heavy sky, looming shadow
27. Like a gnawing rat
Meaning: Jealousy eating away at peace
In a sentence: Jealousy gnawed at him like a rat in the walls.
Tone: Annoying, persistent
Other ways to say: Like constant pest, slow destruction
28. Like a twisted knot
Meaning: Jealousy creating tension and discomfort
In a sentence: Her jealousy tied her stomach in a twisted knot.
Tone: Uncomfortable, tense
Other ways to say: Like tight bind, tangled feeling
29. Like a shadow creeping at dusk
Meaning: Jealousy slowly approaching quietly
In a sentence: Jealousy crept like a shadow at dusk, unnoticed at first.
Tone: Quiet, stealthy
Other ways to say: Like creeping darkness, slow approach
30. Like a shattered mirror
Meaning: Jealousy breaking trust and clarity
In a sentence: Their jealousy shattered their relationship like a broken mirror.
Tone: Destructive, painful
Other ways to say: Like broken glass, fractured bond
31. Like an itchy sweater
Meaning: Jealousy causing constant discomfort
In a sentence: The jealousy was like an itchy sweater she couldn’t take off.
Tone: Irritating, persistent
Other ways to say: Like annoying scratch, relentless bother
32. Like a brewing thunderstorm
Meaning: Jealousy building up to an explosive moment
In a sentence: His jealousy gathered like a brewing thunderstorm ready to strike.
Tone: Tense, foreboding
Other ways to say: Like impending storm, tension rise
Conclusion
These 32 similes for jealousy help paint a vivid picture of the emotion’s many layers—from quiet simmering to fiery outbursts. Using these comparisons can help you communicate jealousy with empathy and insight, bringing a deeper understanding to this difficult feeling.
