20 Best Similes for Waiting (With Meanings & Examples)

Waiting, is an experience as common as breathing, yet as varied as the moments that pass. It can be filled with anticipation, patience, or a quiet longing. In this exploration, we delve into similes that capture the different shades of waiting, each one painting a vivid picture of this universal human experience.

Similes for Waiting

1. As Patient as a Statue

Meaning: Extremely patient

Example: She stood by the window, as patient as a statue, waiting for his return.

2. Waiting like a Cat at a Mouse Hole

Meaning: Attentive and ready

Example: He was waiting like a cat at a mouse hole, ready for the opportunity to pounce.

3. As Long as a Watched Pot

Meaning: Seemingly endless

Example: The minutes before the announcement felt as long as a watched pot.

4. Waiting like Rain for a Cloud

Meaning: Natural and inevitable

Example: Her apology was coming, waiting like rain for a cloud to release it.

5. As Endless as the Horizon

Meaning: Boundless and continuous

Example: The wait for news was as endless as the horizon, stretching far beyond sight.

6. Waiting like a Farmer for Rain

Meaning: With hope and necessity

Example: He was waiting like a farmer for rain, desperate for a change.

7. As Tense as a Coiled Spring

Meaning: Filled with nervous anticipation

Example: The audience was as tense as a coiled spring, waiting for the performance to start.

8. Waiting like a Train at a Station

Meaning: Ready to depart

Example: She was waiting like a train at a station, poised for her next journey.

9. As Slow as Molasses in Winter

Meaning: Excruciatingly slow

Example: Time was as slow as molasses in winter, with each second stretching endlessly.

10. Waiting like a Sentry at Night

Meaning: Alert and vigilant

Example: The guards were waiting like a sentry at night, eyes peeled for any movement.

11. As Heavy as an Unspoken Word

Meaning: Laden with unexpressed thoughts

Example: The silence between them was as heavy as an unspoken word, filled with things waiting to be said.

12. Waiting like a Secret to be Told

Meaning: Full of anticipation

Example: The children were waiting like a secret to be told, eager for the surprise.

13. As Eager as a Child on Christmas Eve

Meaning: Full of excitement and anticipation

Example: He was as eager as a child on Christmas Eve, waiting for the big day.

14. Waiting like a Migrant Bird for Spring

Meaning: With a sense of longing

Example: She was waiting like a migrant bird for spring, yearning for new beginnings.

15. As Quiet as a Whispered Prayer

Meaning: Subtly intense

Example: In the chapel, the congregation was as quiet as a whispered prayer, waiting for the sermon.

16. Waiting like a Shadow at Dusk

Meaning: Looming and persistent

Example: His doubts were waiting like a shadow at dusk, always present and growing.

17. As Unpredictable as a Waiting Storm

Meaning: Tense and uncertain

Example: The atmosphere in the meeting room was as unpredictable as a waiting storm.

18. Waiting like a Star for Nightfall

Meaning: Inevitable and natural

Example: Their reunion was waiting like a star for nightfall, certain and destined.

19. As Intense as the Moment Before a Kiss

Meaning: Full of intense anticipation

Example: Their eyes met, and the room was as intense as the moment before a kiss, waiting for the inevitable.

20. Waiting like a Puzzle for a Missing Piece

Meaning: Incomplete and expectant

Example: The project was waiting like a puzzle for a missing piece, almost but not quite finished.

Related:

Similes for Valentine’s

Similes for Trees

Similes for Waiting