Tiredness is a universal feeling that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. Whether it’s from a long day at work, a strenuous workout, or simply a lack of sleep, tiredness can take on various forms and degrees.
One way to express the sensation of fatigue is through the use of similes – comparisons that help us vividly convey how tired we are feeling. In this article, we will delve into a unique and engaging exploration of similes for tired.
From worn-out shoes to fading stars, these similes offer colorful ways to describe the state of exhaustion. So, let’s dive in and discover the richness of language when it comes to expressing tiredness.

What is a Simile for Tired?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as” to create a vivid and imaginative description.
When we use similes to describe tiredness, we are drawing parallels between the feeling of fatigue and something else, often in a way that evokes a strong mental image. Let’s explore the meaning and usage of some unique similes for tired:
Simile | Meaning | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
As tired as a worn-out shoe | Completely exhausted, worn down like an old shoe. | After working three consecutive night shifts, Sarah felt as tired as a worn-out shoe. |
Like a drained battery | Feeling depleted of energy, akin to a drained battery. | His hectic day of meetings and deadlines left him feeling like a drained battery. |
Weary like a traveler on a long journey | Fatigued and worn out, similar to a weary traveler. | After backpacking through Europe for a month, she was as weary as a traveler on a long journey. |
As spent as a spent matchstick | Utterly exhausted and incapable of further effort. | He collapsed onto the couch, feeling as spent as a spent matchstick after running a marathon. |
Like a deflated balloon | Lacking energy and enthusiasm, like a deflated balloon. | The news of the project delay left the team feeling like a deflated balloon. |
Worn out like an old rug | Exhausted to the point of feeling worn and frayed. | After a day of chasing after her energetic toddler, she felt as worn out as an old rug. |
As fatigued as a marathon runner | Extremely tired and physically drained, like a marathon runner. | Climbing that steep hill left him as fatigued as a marathon runner. |
Like a wilted flower | Feeling tired and lacking vitality, similar to a wilted flower. | The sweltering heat made him feel like a wilted flower. |
As exhausted as a hiker after a steep climb | Completely drained of energy, resembling a hiker after a challenging ascent. | The demanding hike left her as exhausted as a hiker after a steep climb. |
Drained like a dry well | Feeling utterly depleted of energy, much like a dry well. | After working on the farm all day, he felt drained like a dry well. |
Like a limp rag | Experiencing extreme tiredness and a lack of strength. | She collapsed into bed, feeling like a limp rag after a long day of physical labor. |
As run-down as an abandoned building | Completely exhausted and in a state of disrepair. | After a week of non-stop meetings, he felt as run-down as an abandoned building. |
Weary like a worker after a double shift | Fatigued and worn out, akin to a worker after a double shift. | The nightshift nurse was as weary as a worker after a double shift. |
As beat as a drum after a performance | Extremely tired and lacking energy, much like a drum after a performance. | After dancing all night, she was as beat as a drum after a performance. |
Like a tired ox after plowing | Exhausted and drained of energy, resembling an ox after plowing fields. | After a day of working on the construction site, he felt like a tired ox after plowing. |
As pooped as a sprinter at the finish line | Completely exhausted, similar to a sprinter at the finish line. | After completing the marathon, he was as pooped as a sprinter at the finish line. |
Like a fading sunset | Experiencing a gradual decline in energy and vitality. | As the day wore on, she felt like a fading sunset. |
As drained as a coffee cup after a long night | Feeling completely depleted of energy, like a coffee cup after a long night. | The sleepless night left him as drained as a coffee cup after a long night. |
Like a sinking ship | Profound sense of exhaustion and hopelessness, like a sinking ship. | After dealing with one crisis after another, she felt like a sinking ship. |
As fatigued as a soldier after battle | Completely worn out and mentally drained, resembling a soldier after a battle. | The intense negotiations left him as fatigued as a soldier after battle. |
Like a worn-out engine | Feeling extremely tired and lacking the energy to function properly. | After a day of back-to-back meetings, her mind felt like a worn-out engine. |
As exhausted as a student during finals week | Completely drained of energy and mentally fatigued, like a student during finals week. | After pulling all-nighters to study for exams, he was as exhausted as a student during finals week. |
Like a fading star | Experiencing a gradual loss of energy and brightness, like a fading star. | As the evening wore on, her energy waned, and she felt like a fading star. |
As spent as a spent cartridge | Utterly exhausted and devoid of energy, like a spent cartridge. | After a day of intense physical activity, he was as spent as a spent cartridge. |
Weary like a horse after a long ride | Feeling tired and drained, akin to a horse after a long ride. | After a day of running errands all over town, she was as weary as a horse after a long ride. |
As tired as a clock after striking midnight | Feeling completely exhausted, similar to a clock striking midnight. | After a night of hosting a party, she was as tired as a clock after striking midnight. |
Like a deflated tire | Experiencing a loss of energy and vitality, like a deflated tire. | The news of the project delay left the team feeling like a deflated tire. |
As run-down as an overworked machine | Completely exhausted and in need of rest, like an overworked machine. | After weeks of overtime, he felt as run-down as an overworked machine. |
Like a drooping plant | Feeling tired and lacking energy, similar to a drooping plant. | The scorching heat left her feeling like a drooping plant. |
After a long day of work, I felt like I had run a marathon without stopping. If you’re interested in idioms related to feeling tired, you can find them here: idioms for tired. Additionally, if you want to explore metaphors for describing tiredness, you can check them out at this link: metaphors for tired.
Similes for Tired
1. As tired as a worn-out shoe.
Meaning: Completely exhausted, as if one has been used and abused to the point of breaking down, much like an old and battered shoe.
In a Sentence: After working three consecutive night shifts, Sarah felt as tired as a worn-out shoe.
2. Like a drained battery.
Meaning: Feeling depleted of energy, similar to how a battery loses power when it’s drained.
In a Sentence: His hectic day of meetings and deadlines left him feeling like a drained battery.
3. Weary like a traveler on a long journey.
Meaning: Feeling fatigued and worn out, akin to someone who has traveled a great distance and endured hardships along the way.
In a Sentence: After backpacking through Europe for a month, she was as weary as a traveler on a long journey.
4. As spent as a spent matchstick.
Meaning: Utterly exhausted and incapable of further effort, resembling a matchstick that has already been used and has nothing left to burn.
In a Sentence: He collapsed onto the couch, feeling as spent as a spent matchstick after running a marathon.
5. Like a deflated balloon.
Meaning: Lacking energy and enthusiasm, much like a balloon that has lost its air and has become limp and lifeless.
In a Sentence: The news of the project delay left the team feeling like a deflated balloon.
6. Worn out like an old rug.
Meaning: Exhausted to the point of feeling worn and frayed, just like an old rug that has seen better days.
In a Sentence: After a day of chasing after her energetic toddler, she felt as worn out as an old rug.
7. As fatigued as a marathon runner.
Meaning: Extremely tired and physically drained, resembling the exhaustion experienced by a marathon runner after a long race.
In a Sentence: Climbing that steep hill left him as fatigued as a marathon runner.
8. Like a wilted flower.
Meaning: Feeling tired and lacking vitality, similar to a flower that has wilted and lost its freshness.
In a Sentence: The sweltering heat made him feel like a wilted flower.
9. As exhausted as a hiker after a steep climb.
Meaning: Completely drained of energy, comparable to the fatigue experienced by a hiker after tackling a steep and challenging ascent.
In a Sentence: The demanding hike left her as exhausted as a hiker after a steep climb.
10. Drained like a dry well.
Meaning: Feeling utterly depleted of energy, much like a well that has run dry and can no longer provide water.
In a Sentence: After working on the farm all day, he felt drained like a dry well.
11. Like a limp rag.
Meaning: Experiencing extreme tiredness and a lack of strength, resembling a limp and lifeless rag.
In a Sentence: She collapsed into bed, feeling like a limp rag after a long day of physical labor.
12. As run-down as an abandoned building.
Meaning: Completely exhausted and in a state of disrepair, similar to an abandoned building that has deteriorated over time.
In a Sentence: After a week of non-stop meetings, he felt as run-down as an abandoned building.
13. Weary like a worker after a double shift.
Meaning: Feeling fatigued and worn out, akin to a worker who has put in extra hours and worked tirelessly through a double shift.
In a Sentence: The nightshift nurse was as weary as a worker after a double shift.
14. As beat as a drum after a performance.
Meaning: Extremely tired and lacking energy, much like a drum that has been played vigorously during a performance.
In a Sentence: After dancing all night, she was as beat as a drum after a performance.
15. Like a tired ox after plowing.
Meaning: Exhausted and drained of energy, resembling the fatigue experienced by an ox after a strenuous day of plowing fields.
In a Sentence: After a day of working on the construction site, he felt like a tired ox after plowing.
16. As pooped as a sprinter at the finish line.
Meaning: Feeling completely exhausted, similar to a sprinter who has given their all and crossed the finish line.
In a Sentence: After completing the marathon, he was as pooped as a sprinter at the finish line.
17. Like a fading sunset.
Meaning: Experiencing a gradual decline in energy and vitality, much like the fading colors of a sunset as it disappears below the horizon.
In a Sentence: As the day wore on, she felt like a fading sunset.
18. As drained as a coffee cup after a long night.
Meaning: Feeling completely depleted of energy, similar to a coffee cup that is empty after being used to stay awake during a long night.
In a Sentence: The sleepless night left him as drained as a coffee cup after a long night.
19. Like a sinking ship.
Meaning: Experiencing a profound sense of exhaustion and hopelessness, similar to a ship that is slowly sinking into the depths of the sea.
In a Sentence: After dealing with one crisis after another, she felt like a sinking ship.
20. As fatigued as a soldier after battle.
Meaning: Completely worn out and mentally drained, resembling the exhaustion experienced by a soldier after a grueling battle.
In a Sentence: The intense negotiations left him as fatigued as a soldier after battle.
21. Like a worn-out engine.
Meaning: Feeling extremely tired and lacking the energy to function properly, much like an engine that has been running for a long time and is now worn out.
In a Sentence: After a day of back-to-back meetings, her mind felt like a worn-out engine.
22. As exhausted as a student during finals week.
Meaning: Completely drained of energy and mentally fatigued, similar to a student who has been studying tirelessly during finals week.
In a Sentence: After pulling all-nighters to study for exams, he was as exhausted as a student during finals week.
23. Like a fading star.
Meaning: Experiencing a gradual loss of energy and brightness, much like a star that is slowly fading in the night sky.
In a Sentence: As the evening wore on, her energy waned, and she felt like a fading star.
24. As spent as a spent cartridge.
Meaning: Feeling utterly exhausted and devoid of energy, resembling a spent cartridge that has been used and is now empty.
In a Sentence: After a day of intense physical activity, he was as spent as a spent cartridge.
25. Weary like a horse after a long ride.
Meaning: Feeling tired and drained, similar to a horse that has covered a long distance and is now weary from the journey.
In a Sentence: After a day of running errands all over town, she was as weary as a horse after a long ride.
26. As tired as a clock after striking midnight.
Meaning: Feeling completely exhausted, similar to a clock that has chimed midnight, signifying the end of a long day.
In a Sentence: After a night of hosting a party, she was as tired as a clock after striking midnight.
27. Like a deflated tire.
Meaning: Experiencing a loss of energy and vitality, much like a tire that has lost air and is now flat and lifeless.
In a Sentence: The news of the project delay left the team feeling like a deflated tire.
28. As run-down as an overworked machine.
Meaning: Completely exhausted and in need of rest, resembling an overworked machine that is no longer functioning properly.
In a Sentence: After weeks of overtime, he felt as run-down as an overworked machine.
29. Like a drooping plant.
Meaning: Feeling tired and lacking energy, similar to a plant that is wilting and drooping due to a lack of water and care.
In a Sentence: The scorching heat left her feeling like a drooping plant.
Here are 10 quiz questions about the similes mentioned in the article:
- Question: What does the simile “Like a drained battery” mean?
- A) Feeling completely rested
- B) Lacking enthusiasm
- C) Feeling depleted of energy
- D) Having boundless energy
- Question: Which simile compares exhaustion to a “worn-out shoe”?
- A) Like a drained battery
- B) As tired as a worn-out shoe
- C) Weary like a traveler on a long journey
- D) Like a fading star
- Question: What does the simile “As run-down as an abandoned building” suggest?
- A) Feeling completely refreshed
- B) Being full of energy
- C) Feeling exhausted and neglected
- D) Being ready for action
- Question: What is the meaning of the simile “Like a fading sunset”?
- A) Feeling energetic and vibrant
- B) Gradual loss of energy and vitality
- C) Being ready for a new day
- D) Experiencing a sudden burst of energy
- Question: Which simile compares tiredness to a “drooping plant”?
- A) As tired as a clock after striking midnight
- B) As exhausted as a hiker after a steep climb
- C) Like a wilted flower
- D) As beat as a drum after a performance
- Question: What does the simile “As fatigued as a marathon runner” imply?
- A) Feeling ready for a sprint
- B) Extremely tired and physically drained
- C) Having endless endurance
- D) Being energized and invigorated
- Question: Which simile suggests feeling completely exhausted and devoid of energy, similar to a “spent cartridge”?
- A) As pooped as a sprinter at the finish line
- B) Like a drained battery
- C) As spent as a spent cartridge
- D) Weary like a horse after a long ride
- Question: What is the meaning of the simile “Weary like a worker after a double shift”?
- A) Feeling energized after a long day
- B) Fatigued and worn out, akin to a worker after extra hours
- C) Ready for more work
- D) Feeling motivated and enthusiastic
- Question: Which simile compares exhaustion to a “sinking ship”?
- A) As run-down as an abandoned building
- B) Like a fading sunset
- C) As spent as a spent matchstick
- D) Like a sinking ship
- Question: What does the simile “Drained like a dry well” mean?
- A) Feeling full of energy
- B) Lacking enthusiasm
- C) Feeling utterly depleted of energy
- D) Being well-hydrated
Conclusion
In the vast tapestry of language, similes offer us a palette of colorful expressions to describe our emotions and experiences. When it comes to tiredness, these unique similes provide us with a creative and engaging way to convey just how exhausted we feel.
Whether you’re “as tired as a worn-out shoe” or “like a fading star,” these similes for tiredness allow us to paint vivid mental pictures of our fatigue.