50 Similes for Mean with Meanings & Sentences
Similes for Mean
1. Mean as a snake
Meaning: Sneaky and malicious.
In a Sentence: He was as mean as a snake, always waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Other Ways to Say: Vicious as a cobra, Nasty as a rattlesnake.
2. Mean as a hornet
Meaning: Very angry or irritable.
In a Sentence: When her ice cream fell on the ground, she became as mean as a hornet, shouting at everyone nearby.
Other Ways to Say: Mean as a wasp, Mean as a bee.
3. Mean as a junkyard dog
Meaning: Aggressive or fierce.
In a Sentence: The old man was as mean as a junkyard dog, chasing away anyone who dared to come near his property.
Other Ways to Say: Mean as a guard dog, Mean as a watchdog.
4. Mean as a drill sergeant
Meaning: Harsh and commanding.
In a Sentence: The coach was as mean as a drill sergeant during practice.
Other Ways to Say: Tough as a boot camp leader, Harsh as a general.
5. Mean as vinegar
Meaning: Bitter or sharp in temperament.
In a Sentence: Her tone was as mean as vinegar when she scolded him.
Other Ways to Say: Sour as lemon juice, Bitter as bile.
6. Mean as a cat in a corner
Meaning: Defensive and likely to lash out.
In a Sentence: He was as mean as a cat in a corner when he felt threatened.
Other Ways to Say: Fierce as a trapped animal, Dangerous when pushed.
7. Mean as a school bully
Meaning: Hurtful and domineering.
In a Sentence: She was as mean as a school bully, always picking on the quiet kids.
Other Ways to Say: Cruel as a tormentor, Mean as a playground tyrant.
8. Mean as a cold winter wind
Meaning: Harsh and biting.
In a Sentence: His words were as mean as a cold winter wind.
Other Ways to Say: Bitter as frost, Harsh as hail.
9. Mean as a scorned lover
Meaning: Vengeful and cruel after betrayal.
In a Sentence: After the breakup, he was as mean as a scorned lover.
Other Ways to Say: Spiteful as heartbreak, Cold as rejection.
10. Mean as a thornbush
Meaning: Prickly and difficult to deal with.
In a Sentence: She’s as mean as a thornbush when she’s angry.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp as a cactus, Unwelcoming as nettles.
11. Mean as a cornered rat
Meaning: Desperate and dangerous.
In a Sentence: He became as mean as a cornered rat when confronted.
Other Ways to Say: Desperate as a hunted animal, Wild as a trapped creature.
12. Mean as an old crow
Meaning: Grumpy and rude, especially in old age.
In a Sentence: The old woman was as mean as an old crow yelling at kids.
Other Ways to Say: Harsh as a raven, Crotchety as a buzzard.
13. Mean as a green-eyed monster
Meaning: Driven by jealousy.
In a Sentence: He was as mean as a green-eyed monster when she got the promotion.
Other Ways to Say: Jealous as envy, Bitter as resentment.
14. Mean as a kicked mule
Meaning: Suddenly aggressive when provoked.
In a Sentence: Don’t mess with her—she’s as mean as a kicked mule.
Other Ways to Say: Angry as a slapped horse, Fierce as a jabbed bull.
15. Mean as a wildfire
Meaning: Destructive and uncontrollable.
In a Sentence: His temper was as mean as a wildfire once triggered.
Other Ways to Say: Explosive as a volcano, Out of control like a storm.
16. Mean as a thorn in your side
Meaning: Constantly irritating.
In a Sentence: That co-worker is as mean as a thorn in your side.
Other Ways to Say: Annoying as a fly, Persistent as an itch.
17. Mean as a rusty nail
Meaning: Sharp and potentially harmful.
In a Sentence: His attitude was as mean as a rusty nail.
Other Ways to Say: Dangerous as broken glass, Unpleasant as barbed wire.
18. Mean as a poker face in a fight
Meaning: Emotionless and unsympathetic.
In a Sentence: Her response was as mean as a poker face in a fight.
Other Ways to Say: Cold as stone, Blank as a statue.
19. Mean as a stormy sea
Meaning: Chaotic and harsh.
In a Sentence: Their argument was as mean as a stormy sea.
Other Ways to Say: Rough as waves, Tumultuous as a hurricane.
20. Mean as a spiteful child
Meaning: Cruel without reason.
In a Sentence: He was as mean as a spiteful child when he didn’t get his way.
Other Ways to Say: Petty as a tantrum, Cruel as a brat.
21. Mean as a slap in the face
Meaning: Shockingly rude or hurtful.
In a Sentence: Her comment was as mean as a slap in the face.
Other Ways to Say: Hurtful like a punch, Insulting as a jab.
22. Mean as a snarling wolf
Meaning: Aggressively threatening.
In a Sentence: His reaction was as mean as a snarling wolf guarding its prey.
Other Ways to Say: Fierce as a predator, Hostile as a wild dog.
23. Mean as a bad rumor
Meaning: Harmful and damaging to others.
In a Sentence: That gossip was as mean as a bad rumor that won’t die.
Other Ways to Say: Nasty as hearsay, Hurtful as whispers.
24. Mean as a thief in the night
Meaning: Secretive and malicious.
In a Sentence: He was as mean as a thief in the night, stealing trust silently.
Other Ways to Say: Sneaky as a bandit, Cold as a robber.
25. Mean as a burned tongue
Meaning: Unexpectedly painful.
In a Sentence: Her sarcasm was as mean as a burned tongue.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp as chili, Painful as betrayal.
26. Mean as a crow in a cornfield
Meaning: Unwelcome and destructive.
In a Sentence: He showed up as mean as a crow in a cornfield.
Other Ways to Say: Unwanted as a pest, Destructive as locusts.
27. Mean as a dry cactus
Meaning: Harsh and lacking warmth.
In a Sentence: His hospitality was as mean as a dry cactus in the desert.
Other Ways to Say: Prickly as a thorn, Cold as sand.
28. Mean as a jealous twin
Meaning: Competitive and resentful.
In a Sentence: She was as mean as a jealous twin whenever someone praised her sister.
Other Ways to Say: Envious as rivalry, Bitter as a sibling fight.
29. Mean as a spitting cat
Meaning: Defensive and lashing out.
In a Sentence: The child turned as mean as a spitting cat when scolded.
Other Ways to Say: Aggressive as a hissing snake, Fierce as a wild feline.
30. Mean as a hangover
Meaning: Miserable and hard to endure.
In a Sentence: Monday mornings feel as mean as a hangover.
Other Ways to Say: Rough as regret, Brutal as a bad night.
31. Mean as a winter storm
Meaning: Cold and destructive.
In a Sentence: His words hit me as mean as a winter storm.
Other Ways to Say: Cruel as ice, Harsh as sleet.
32. Mean as a steel trap
Meaning: Quick and unforgiving.
In a Sentence: Her comeback was as mean as a steel trap, sharp and sudden.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp as scissors, Quick as a snap.
33. Mean as a starving dog
Meaning: Desperate and unpredictable.
In a Sentence: He was as mean as a starving dog, willing to attack anyone.
Other Ways to Say: Desperate as hunger, Wild as a stray.
34. Mean as a bad memory
Meaning: Haunting and unpleasant.
In a Sentence: That experience was as mean as a bad memory you can’t shake.
Other Ways to Say: Lingering like regret, Painful as the past.
35. Mean as a bully with power
Meaning: Abusive of authority.
In a Sentence: The manager was as mean as a bully with power.
Other Ways to Say: Tyrannical as a dictator, Controlling as a puppet master.
36. Mean as a cold stare
Meaning: Emotionless and judging.
In a Sentence: Her glare was as mean as a cold stare in the dark.
Other Ways to Say: Icy as a glare, Unforgiving as silence.
37. Mean as an unpaid bill
Meaning: Annoying and stressful.
In a Sentence: The tone of his message was as mean as an unpaid bill.
Other Ways to Say: Pressuring as debt, Irritating as a deadline.
38. Mean as a bitter pill
Meaning: Hard to accept.
In a Sentence: His criticism was as mean as a bitter pill to swallow.
Other Ways to Say: Harsh as truth, Hard as reality.
39. Mean as a stabbing word
Meaning: Emotionally painful.
In a Sentence: Her insult was as mean as a stabbing word.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp as a dagger, Cutting as a sword.
40. Mean as a broken promise
Meaning: Disappointing and hurtful.
In a Sentence: Being ignored felt as mean as a broken promise.
Other Ways to Say: Painful as betrayal, Sad as letdown.
41. Mean as an unpaid worker
Meaning: Taken for granted and resentful.
In a Sentence: He was as mean as an unpaid worker forced to keep going.
Other Ways to Say: Bitter as unfairness, Angry as injustice.
42. Mean as a cracked whip
Meaning: Sudden and painful.
In a Sentence: His insult was as mean as a cracked whip in the air.
Other Ways to Say: Fast as a lash, Painful as a snap.
43. Mean as a forgotten birthday
Meaning: Emotionally neglectful.
In a Sentence: Being left out felt as mean as a forgotten birthday.
Other Ways to Say: Neglected like a ghost, Sad as loneliness.
44. Mean as a bitter wind
Meaning: Cold and harsh.
In a Sentence: Her tone was as mean as a bitter wind blowing through the door.
Other Ways to Say: Chilly as frost, Cold as air.
45. Mean as a bad haircut
Meaning: Embarrassing and cruel.
In a Sentence: That prank was as mean as a bad haircut before prom.
Other Ways to Say: Unkind as mockery, Harsh as teasing.
46. Mean as an itchy sweater
Meaning: Constantly annoying.
In a Sentence: His nagging was as mean as an itchy sweater on a hot day.
Other Ways to Say: Irritating as wool, Annoying as a tag.
47. Mean as a broken umbrella
Meaning: Useless in a time of need.
In a Sentence: His support was as mean as a broken umbrella in a storm.
Other Ways to Say: Unreliable as soggy shoes, Pointless as paper armor.
48. Mean as a hacker’s virus
Meaning: Destructive with bad intentions.
In a Sentence: That review was as mean as a hacker’s virus to a small business.
Other Ways to Say: Toxic as malware, Nasty as a bug.
49. Mean as a backhanded compliment
Meaning: Disguised insult.
In a Sentence: Her praise was as mean as a backhanded compliment.
Other Ways to Say: Fake as flattery, Hidden as sarcasm.
50. Mean as a dead phone in an emergency
Meaning: Unhelpful when needed most.
In a Sentence: Her absence felt as mean as a dead phone in an emergency.
Other Ways to Say: Useless as a flat tire, Absent as hope.
