40 Similes For Tired With Meaning & Example

40 unique similes for “tired” can help you convey fatigue in clear, vivid terms. A 2023 review reported that fatigue affects between 4.3% and 21.9% of people in general populations. These similes range from very short (4), to extended (4), to those drawn from literature (4), and a further 28 creative comparisons. Each phrase is paired with a concise meaning and example sentence for immediate use.

1. Short similes For tired (4)

Like a phone running low on power

Meaning: having almost no energy left. Example: After 12 hours on my feet, I felt like a phone running low on power.

Like a car stuck in first gear

Meaning: moving slowly despite effort. Example: I was like a car stuck in first gear during that marathon meeting.

Like a candle burnt to its wick

Meaning: completely used up. Example: By midnight, I was like a candle burnt to its wick.

Like an old battery in winter

Meaning: underpowered and slow. Example: I faced emails like an old battery in winter.

2. Extended similes for tired (4)

Like a marathon runner crossing the finish line

Meaning: exhausted after prolonged effort. Example: After eight hours of coding, I felt like a marathon runner crossing the finish line.

Like a scholar after final exams

Meaning: mentally and physically drained. Example: By Sunday evening, I was like a scholar after final exams.

Like a night watchman at dawn

Meaning: worn out from long vigil. Example: I sat at my desk like a night watchman at dawn.

Like a phone left in airplane mode too long

Meaning: disconnected and low on resources. Example: I felt like a phone left in airplane mode too long during that retreat.

3. Similes for tired in literature (4)

Like a shipwrecked sailor on calm shores

Meaning: relieved yet utterly drained. Example: I collapsed like a shipwrecked sailor on calm shores.

Like Don Quixote after windmill battles

Meaning: bruised and weary from futile fights. Example: I typed the last report feeling like Don Quixote after windmill battles.

Like Emma after hosting Mr. Knightley’s ball

Meaning: exhilarated but fatigued by social duties. Example: I ended the gala like Emma after hosting Mr. Knightley’s ball.

Like Ishmael after months at sea

Meaning: bone-deep exhaustion. Example: I wrote the conclusion like Ishmael after months at sea.

4. Similes For tired (28)

Like a book with all pages turned

Meaning: no new energy or ideas. Example: I stared at the screen like a book with all pages turned.

Like bread left out overnight

Meaning: stale and droopy. Example: I felt like bread left out overnight after that 14-hour shift.

Like a lamp left burning all night

Meaning: flickering on remaining strength. Example: I answered the final emails like a lamp left burning all night.

Like autumn leaves in a drought

Meaning: dry and limp. Example: I sat in the meeting like autumn leaves in a drought.

Quiz: 10 MCQs on Similes for “Tired”

1. “Like a candle burnt to its wick” most closely means:
   1. Still burning brightly
   2. Completely used up
   3. Melting slowly
   4. Flickering occasionally
2. “Like a car stuck in first gear” suggests:
   1. Smooth acceleration
   2. Rapid progress
   3. Slow movement despite effort
   4. Gear shifting ease
3. Which simile implies mental exhaustion?
   1. Like a scholar after final exams
   2. Like a phone running low on power
   3. Like an old battery in winter
   4. Like bread left out overnight
4. The simile “Like autumn leaves in a drought” conveys:
   1. Vibrant energy
   2. Freshness
   3. Dry and limp state
   4. Colorful resilience
5. Which simile uses a literary reference?
   1. Like a lamp left burning all night
   2. Like Don Quixote after windmill battles
   3. Like a car stuck in first gear
   4. Like a scholar after final exams
6. “Like a night watchman at dawn” primarily describes:
   1. Brief rest
   2. Long vigil weariness
   3. Joyful relief
   4. Energetic start
7. Choose the simile for feeling disconnected and low on resources:
   1. Like bread left out overnight
   2. Like a phone left in airplane mode too long
   3. Like a shipwrecked sailor on calm shores
   4. Like a candle burnt to its wick
8. Which simile best fits someone after a long social event?
   1. Like Emma after hosting Mr. Knightley’s ball
   2. Like an old battery in winter
   3. Like a book with all pages turned
   4. Like autumn leaves in a drought
9. “Like a marathon runner crossing the finish line” indicates:
   1. Mental burnout
   2. Exhaustion after prolonged effort
   3. Stale condition
   4. Slow start
10. Which phrase means “having almost no energy left”?
    1. Like a lamp left burning all night
    2. Like a scholar after final exams
    3. Like a phone running low on power
    4. Like autumn leaves in a drought