Darkness has long been a source of fascination. In language, similes give us the tools to compare darkness to everyday objects and phenomena, making abstract concepts easier to grasp. Whether describing fear, mystery, or even peace, similes help bring the intangible nature of darkness into focus.
Here are 41 similes for darkness, along with example scenarios that show how they might be used in context. From the bottom of a well to the glossy feathers of a raven, each simile highlights a unique aspect of the enigmatic shadows around us.
1. Pitch-Black Like a Cave
The complete absence of light in a cave can be unsettling, making this simile perfect for expressing impenetrable darkness.
Example:
The cave was pitch-black like a cave, with no light to guide our steps.
2. Black as Coal
Coal’s deep, intense black makes it a common metaphor for thick, inescapable darkness.
Example:
The room was black as coal, and I couldn’t see anything.
3. As Dark as the Abyss
The abyss is often used to symbolize an endless, bottomless darkness.
Example:
She felt as though her fears were as dark as the abyss, swallowing her whole.
4. Inky as a Moonless Sky
On moonless nights, the sky takes on an inky blackness that stretches infinitely.
Example:
The night was inky as a moonless sky, with not a star in sight.
5. As Black as Midnight
Midnight marks the darkest part of the night, a time associated with total blackness.
Example:
The forest was as black as midnight, silent and still.
6. Dark as a Raven’s Wing
Raven feathers glisten with a dark, glossy black that symbolizes both elegance and mystery.
Example:
Her hair was dark as a raven’s wing, smooth and shining.
7. Like a Bottomless Pit
A bottomless pit suggests endless, consuming darkness with no escape.
Example:
The well seemed like a bottomless pit, its depths unknowable.
8. As Dark as the Ocean Depths
Far below the surface, the ocean depths are shrouded in an eerie, unfathomable blackness.
Example:
The abyss felt as dark as the ocean depths, cold and eternal.
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9. Black as Tar
Tar is thick and black, making it a perfect simile for sticky, suffocating darkness.
Example:
The night sky was black as tar, with no hope of dawn.
10. As Deep as a Well
Wells are often associated with deep, mysterious darkness.
Example:
The hole was as deep as a well, and no light reached its bottom.
11. As Opaque as Obsidian
Obsidian is a volcanic glass, known for its sleek, impenetrable blackness.
Example:
His thoughts were as opaque as obsidian, unreadable, and dark.
12. As Dark as the Void
The void represents the absence of everything, including light.
Example:
The space between the stars was as dark as the void, stretching on forever.
13. Black as Night
Nighttime is often the go-to metaphor for darkness, where the world disappears into shadows.
Example:
The alleyway was black as night, with no lamps to illuminate the way.
14. As Dark as a Crow’s Feather
Like the raven, the crow has glossy black feathers often associated with ominous darkness.
Example:
His cloak was as dark as a crow’s feather, blending into the night.
15. Dark as Ink
Ink is fluid and deep, making it a great metaphor for spreading, pervasive darkness.
Example:
The sky was dark as ink, pooling around the horizon.
16. As Black as a Starless Sky
Without stars, the sky becomes an overwhelming, endless expanse of darkness.
Example:
The desert night was as black as a starless sky, an endless blanket of shadow.
17. Dark as the Inside of a Coffin
A coffin represents finality and isolation, making it a powerful symbol of absolute darkness.
Example:
The room felt as dark as the inside of a coffin, suffocating and inescapable.
18. Black as a Panther
The panther’s sleek, glossy black fur makes it a perfect image of predatory darkness.
Example:
Her gown was black as a panther, sleek and dangerous.
19. As Dark as the Stormy Sea
During a storm, the sea turns violent and black, creating a frightening image of nature’s power.
Example:
The night was as dark as the stormy sea, with the wind howling in the distance.
20. Black as the Devil’s Heart
The devil’s heart represents ultimate darkness and evil, often used to depict something as utterly void of compassion or light. The phrase conjures a sense of malevolence, something cruel and unrelenting, with a dark presence that feels overwhelming.
Example Scenario: In a psychological thriller, a villain could be described as: “His soul was black as the devil’s heart, a void where no light could ever shine.”
This simile fits well in situations where darkness is not just physical but also emotional or moral. It’s often used to describe individuals who are deeply corrupted or situations filled with malicious intent.
Related Words: Abyss, tar, pitch-black, opaque.
21. As Dark as a Bat’s Wing
Bats are creatures of the night, flying silently with wings as black as shadows. Their wings, often unnoticed in the darkness, give off a sense of stealth and mystery. The simile compares something that blends into the night, hidden and undetected, much like a bat’s wing.
Example Scenario: In a children’s mystery book: “The old, haunted mansion was veiled in a silence as dark as a bat’s wing, and no one dared approach it.”
This simile evokes feelings of secrecy and the unseen. It’s perfect for stories or descriptions where darkness is quiet, silent, and eerie, like a creature moving unnoticed in the night.
Related Words: Raven, glossy, feathers, midnight.
22. Black as Mourning Clothes
For centuries, mourning clothes have been black, symbolizing grief, death, and loss. This simile suggests not only a visual darkness but also an emotional weight, linking the color black with feelings of deep sorrow.
Example Scenario: In a historical novel, a funeral might be described as: “The mourners filed in, their clothes black as mourning robes, the air thick with unshed tears and silence.”
This phrase brings both color and emotion together, a powerful way to illustrate something somber and profound, usually in association with events tied to death or loss.
Related Words: Night, coal, opaque, deep.
23. As Dark as a Black Hole
A black hole is the ultimate symbol of darkness in the universe, a place where light itself cannot escape. This simile is perfect for describing something that feels vast, all-encompassing, and deeply mysterious.
Example Scenario: In a sci-fi setting: “The space station hovered dangerously close to the event horizon, and the void was as dark as a black hole, sucking in everything around it.”
The black hole simile is often used in contexts involving vastness and an inability to escape, emphasizing a deep, profound sense of emptiness or inescapable darkness.
Related Words: Abyss, void, unfathomable, bottomless.
24. Black as a Spider’s Lair
A spider’s lair is a dark, hidden place, often found in corners where light barely touches. It represents something creepy, elusive, and shrouded in mystery.
Example Scenario: In a haunted house narrative: “The corner of the attic was black as a spider’s lair, thick with webs and years of undisturbed dust.”
The simile suggests a place of decay and hidden dangers, perfect for horror or mystery contexts where darkness is associated with fear or lurking threats.
Related Words: Opaque, pit, abyss.
25. As Dark as a Black Cat at Midnight
A black cat at midnight carries a sense of superstition and bad luck, a symbol often tied to ominous events and misfortune. The darkness of the cat’s fur blends into the surrounding night, making it an elusive and mysterious figure.
Example Scenario: In a Halloween short story: “She stepped outside into the cold, and the only movement she saw was a flicker in the shadows, as a black cat at midnight crossed her path.”
The image of a black cat at midnight adds a layer of suspense and tension, perfect for eerie, supernatural contexts.
Related Words: Midnight, raven, pitch-black, glossy.
26. Black as Wet Asphalt
Wet asphalt, after a rainstorm, turns into a shiny, reflective black. This simile conveys not just a sense of darkness, but also one that feels fresh, slick, and impenetrable.
Example Scenario: In a detective story set in a rain-soaked city: “The streetlights cast long shadows on the road, making the wet pavement look black as wet asphalt, glistening under the downpour.”
The image of wet asphalt suggests a modern, urban darkness. It fits well in settings where the gloom feels polished yet relentless, like a city after a storm.
Related Words: Tar, inky, glossy.
27. As Dark as a Forest at Night
A forest at night can be a place of disorientation, where the trees and shadows blend, creating an overwhelming feeling of isolation. The darkness of a forest is both physical and psychological, as it often triggers primal fears.
Example Scenario: In a survival story: “As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, the trees closed in, and the world around them became as dark as a forest at night.”
This simile is ideal for describing vast, natural landscapes where darkness feels alive, almost oppressive. It’s often used to evoke feelings of being lost or trapped in nature.
Related Words: Night, inky, abyss, deep.
28. Black as the Depths of a Volcano
Volcanic depths, when not spewing molten lava, represent a terrifying, unknown blackness. The heart of a volcano cooled after an eruption feels like an abyss.
Example Scenario: In an adventure novel, explorers might be described: “As they descended into the ancient crater, the walls around them were black as the depths of a volcano, silent and waiting.”
The imagery here conveys a powerful, destructive force that has subsided, but still holds a menacing potential. It suggests something dangerous and quiet, a darkness that could awaken at any moment.
Related Words: Abyss, unfathomable, tar, pit.
29. As Dark as an Underground Cave
Underground caves are isolated from the light of the outside world, making them perfect metaphors for complete and utter darkness. The absence of any natural light makes the cave feel mysterious and threatening.
Example Scenario: In a fantasy story: “The cave walls closed in, and they realized they had ventured far too deep, where everything was as dark as an underground cave, and their torches flickered uncertainly.”
Caves often symbolize exploration of the unknown or forbidden, and this simile enhances the sense of mystery and potential danger.
Related Words: Cave, deep, bottomless, well.
30. Black as Midnight on a Moonless Night
Without the moon, midnight is an absolute darkness, with no light to guide the way. The phrase evokes a sense of total isolation and quiet, where even familiar surroundings become unfamiliar.
Example Scenario: In a ghost story: “They wandered through the village, the streets deserted and black as midnight on a moonless night, the only sound their footsteps echoing back at them.”
This simile captures the eerie quietness and mystery of total darkness, perfect for settings where suspense and tension are building.
Related Words: Midnight, night, inky, sky.
31. As Dark as the Depths of a Well
The depths of a well are unreachable, a symbol for something that is hidden or concealed deep down. The comparison suggests not only darkness but also something distant and inaccessible.
Example Scenario: In a dramatic monologue, a character might reflect: “His secrets were buried as deep as the depths of a well, far from the light of day.”
This simile is useful for describing something dark and hidden, perfect for psychological dramas where characters are dealing with deep emotional or mental issues.
Related Words: Deep, well, unfathomable.
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32. Black as the Night Before a Storm
The night before a storm is often filled with heavy, looming clouds, an ominous warning of the chaos to come. This phrase conveys a feeling of impending doom and tension.
Example Scenario: In a suspense novel: “The sky was black as the night before a storm, and the air buzzed with the electricity of the approaching tempest.”
This simile adds an extra layer of drama, suggesting something foreboding on the horizon.
Related Words: Abyss, sky, tar, night.
33. As Dark as the Shadows in an Alleyway
The shadows in an alleyway represent a lurking, threatening kind of darkness, where danger hides and light barely penetrates. Alleyways are synonymous with secrecy and danger, making them the perfect metaphor for something sinister.
Example Scenario: In a crime novel: “The detective moved through the narrow streets, the corners filled with shadows as dark as an alleyway, where anything could be waiting.”
The alleyway comparison is often used to highlight the sense of danger or to indicate something hidden and untrustworthy.
Related Words: Shadows, inky, pitch-black.
34. Black as Burnt Wood
When wood is burnt, it turns into charred remains, blackened and brittle. This simile connects to destruction and a past that has been consumed by fire, leaving behind only darkness.
Example Scenario: In a post-apocalyptic novel: “The once-beautiful landscape was nothing more than ruins, black as burnt wood, a reminder of what had been lost.”
This phrase is especially effective for stories involving loss, devastation, or transformation through destructive forces.
Related Words: Tar, coal, pitch-black.
35. As Dark as a Foggy Night
A foggy night combines darkness with the added element of obscurity, where nothing is clear, and even the smallest light feels distant and unreachable.
Example Scenario: In a thriller: “The road stretched out before them, but it was as dark as a foggy night, the headlights barely cutting through the mist.”
This simile is perfect for adding layers of uncertainty to a scene, where the darkness is compounded by a lack of clarity.
Related Words: Obscurity, night, opaque.
36. Black as a Witch’s Cauldron
The image of a witch’s cauldron bubbling with dark, mysterious liquids is perfect for describing something magical, eerie, and shrouded in darkness.
Example Scenario: In a magical fantasy: “The potion simmered in the black cauldron, dark and thick, as the witch added her final ingredient.”
This simile evokes a sense of the supernatural and unknown, ideal for fantasy or mystical settings.
Related Words: Tar, night, abyss, raven.
37. As Dark as a Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm brings both darkness and chaos, with rolling clouds that obscure the sky and sudden bursts of lightning. The looming storm clouds create a sense of impending conflict or destruction.
Example Scenario: In a drama: “The tension in the room was as dark as a thunderstorm, ready to break at any moment.”
This simile works well for both literal and emotional darkness, suggesting something brewing just beneath the surface.
Related Words: Sky, night, abyss.
38. Black as the Feathers of a Crow
Crows are often seen as symbols of bad omens, and their feathers reflect the light with a dark, glossy sheen. This simile captures both the physical darkness and the mystical or superstitious connotations of the bird.
Example Scenario: In a gothic horror: “A crow flew overhead, its wings black as feathers, disappearing into the night sky.”
This simile is often used to invoke images of mystery, the unknown, and something slightly sinister.
Related Words: Raven, feathers, glossy, midnight.
39. As Dark as an Opaque Obsidian Stone
Obsidian, a volcanic glass, is naturally opaque and deep black, reflecting no light and giving off a sharp, hard appearance. It’s a symbol of strength and impenetrable darkness.
Example Scenario: In an archaeological tale: “He held the small stone, its surface as dark as obsidian, smooth and flawless, hiding whatever secrets it once held.”
This simile emphasizes the sharpness and solid nature of darkness, often used to describe something ancient or powerful.
Related Words: Opaque, abyss, deep, tar.
40. As Dark as a Wolf’s Eyes at Night
A wolf’s eyes glow in the darkness, but the darkness around them is intense and dangerous. It’s the look of a predator hunting in the shadows.
Example Scenario: In a wilderness survival tale: “I saw the gleam of its eyes, as dark as a wolf’s eyes at night, watching from the trees.”
Related Words: Raven, glossy, midnight, night.
41. Black as Ink from a Broken Pen
When a pen breaks, ink pours out uncontrollably, leaving behind a deep black stain. This simile suggests darkness spreading out of control, consuming everything.
Example Scenario: A writer frustrated with their work might write: “I threw the pen, and ink splattered across the page, black as ink from a broken pen, ruining my manuscript.”
Related Words: Ink, inky, opaque, tar
Conclusion
Darkness comes in many forms, and these 41 similes for darkness and varied ways to describe it. Each comparison from the inky sky to the abyss paints a picture of how darkness can be experienced. Whether it’s the black of coal, the depths of the ocean, or the velvet curtain in a theater, these similes provide endless opportunities to enrich language and convey powerful emotions tied to darkness.
By using these comparisons in writing or conversation, one can capture the essence of what it means to encounter shadows and obscurity. They show how darkness isn’t just the absence of light, but a complex, layered experience that evokes fear, wonder, and contemplation.
James Smith is an experienced blogger at PhrasePick, where he shares his expertise in English grammar and figurative language. With a passion for simplifying complex topics, James creates engaging content that helps readers master the nuances of the English language.
