Ugly is more than just a look—it can describe something awkward, unsettling, messy, or even frightening. But instead of simply calling something “ugly,” you can bring your writing to life by using similes—comparisons that make your message clearer, more visual, and sometimes even funny.
Similes use “like” or “as” to paint a picture with words. For example, you might say someone looks “as ugly as a toad in a tuxedo” or “like a potato with a bad haircut.” These comparisons bring humor, intensity, or exaggeration into language, making it easier to connect with readers.
Whether you’re writing creatively or just want to express yourself more vividly, here are 30 similes for “ugly” that range from playful to dramatic.
Similes for Ugly
1. As ugly as a mud fence
Meaning: Very unattractive or plain
In a Sentence: That sculpture was as ugly as a mud fence but oddly charming.
Other Ways to Say: As rough as a brick wall, As bland as dry cement
2. Like a toad in a tiara
Meaning: Comically mismatched and unattractive
In a Sentence: She looked like a toad in a tiara at that high-end event.
Other Ways to Say: Like a frog in a ball gown, Like a lizard in lipstick
3. As ugly as homemade sin
Meaning: Intensely unpleasant to look at
In a Sentence: That sweater was as ugly as homemade sin—and just as loud.
Other Ways to Say: As hideous as regret, As wrong-looking as a bad idea
4. Like a baboon in a blazer
Meaning: Wild, awkward, and unpleasant to see
In a Sentence: He strutted in like a baboon in a blazer, completely unaware of the chaos he caused.
Other Ways to Say: Like a monkey at a tea party, Like an ape in formalwear
5. As ugly as a scarecrow in a windstorm
Meaning: Unkempt and bizarre-looking
In a Sentence: Her outfit was as ugly as a scarecrow in a windstorm.
Other Ways to Say: As jumbled as a yard sale, As messy as flying straw
6. Like a smashed sandwich
Meaning: Deformed and unappetizing
In a Sentence: His nose looked like a smashed sandwich after that fight.
Other Ways to Say: Like a crumpled bag of chips, Like a pancake run over
7. As ugly as a boil on a bald head
Meaning: Vividly grotesque
In a Sentence: That statue was as ugly as a boil on a bald head.
Other Ways to Say: As nasty as a pimple in public, As gross as a zit at prom
8. Like a pizza with all the toppings… melted wrong
Meaning: Chaotic and unappealing
In a Sentence: The paint job looked like a pizza with all the toppings… melted wrong.
Other Ways to Say: Like a melted crayon pizza, Like a kitchen disaster
9. As ugly as a burnt pancake
Meaning: Misshapen and overdone
In a Sentence: His drawing was as ugly as a burnt pancake—and he knew it.
Other Ways to Say: As charred as toast left too long, As lumpy as bad batter
10. Like a troll in sunlight
Meaning: Harsh and difficult to look at
In a Sentence: He looked like a troll in sunlight—squinting and unpleasant.
Other Ways to Say: Like a vampire under a flashlight, Like a goblin in gym clothes
11. As ugly as roadkill in July
Meaning: Disturbing and grotesque
In a Sentence: The leftovers were as ugly as roadkill in July.
Other Ways to Say: As unpleasant as spoiled meat, As gross as rot in heat
12. Like a shoe chewed by a dog
Meaning: Deformed, torn-up, and unpresentable
In a Sentence: Her purse looked like a shoe chewed by a dog.
Other Ways to Say: Like a toy after tug-of-war, Like trash from the backyard
13. As ugly as moldy bread
Meaning: Aged and unpleasant
In a Sentence: That house was as ugly as moldy bread, crumbling and stained.
Other Ways to Say: As decayed as cheese in the sun, As smelly as mildew
14. Like a haunted doll
Meaning: Creepy and unsettling
In a Sentence: That smile was like a haunted doll—plastic and lifeless.
Other Ways to Say: Like a cursed puppet, Like a cracked porcelain face
15. As ugly as a rusted lawnmower
Meaning: Worn-out and unattractive
In a Sentence: The old car was as ugly as a rusted lawnmower with flat tires.
Other Ways to Say: As busted as a broken tractor, As faded as a junkyard find
16. Like a melted wax figure
Meaning: Distorted and bizarre-looking
In a Sentence: That costume made her look like a melted wax figure.
Other Ways to Say: Like a candle left in the sun, Like a sagging sculpture
17. As ugly as a bucket of toads
Meaning: Creatively unpleasant and packed with ugliness
In a Sentence: His jokes were as ugly as a bucket of toads—gross and unfunny.
Other Ways to Say: As nasty as frog stew, As wild-looking as swamp life
18. Like expired spaghetti
Meaning: Sloppy and revolting
In a Sentence: The design looked like expired spaghetti—mushy and all wrong.
Other Ways to Say: Like spoiled pasta art, Like noodles on a bathroom floor
19. As ugly as a nightmare in daylight
Meaning: Startling and unsettling even when seen clearly
In a Sentence: That sculpture was as ugly as a nightmare in daylight.
Other Ways to Say: As creepy as a clown in the woods, As jarring as bad taxidermy
20. Like a face only a mother could love
Meaning: So unattractive, it needs affection to be accepted
In a Sentence: He joked that his baby picture looked like a face only a mother could love.
Other Ways to Say: Like a baby pigeon, Like a squashed emoji
21. As ugly as tangled Christmas lights
Meaning: Confusing, messy, and unpleasant
In a Sentence: That hairdo was as ugly as tangled Christmas lights.
Other Ways to Say: As frustrating as a knot, As wild as uncombed yarn
22. Like socks with sandals at a wedding
Meaning: Unfashionable and awkward
In a Sentence: His outfit screamed disaster—like socks with sandals at a wedding.
Other Ways to Say: Like crocs at prom, Like flip-flops in snow
23. As ugly as an old fish market
Meaning: Stinky and unpleasant in every way
In a Sentence: That alley was as ugly as an old fish market left to rot.
Other Ways to Say: As smelly as spoiled seafood, As grimy as day-old garbage
24. Like an accident in slow motion
Meaning: Disturbing and hard to look away from
In a Sentence: That performance was like an accident in slow motion—ugly and painful.
Other Ways to Say: Like a wreck in progress, Like a train off the rails
25. As ugly as a bad breakup text
Meaning: Cringeworthy and emotionally ugly
In a Sentence: That review was as ugly as a bad breakup text—rude and messy.
Other Ways to Say: As awkward as a voicemail rant, As clumsy as a drunk apology
26. Like a pie dropped on the floor
Meaning: Ruined and unattractive
In a Sentence: Her makeup looked like a pie dropped on the floor—messy and sad.
Other Ways to Say: Like frosting gone wrong, Like dessert after a food fight
27. As ugly as wet socks in a gym bag
Meaning: Visually and emotionally unpleasant
In a Sentence: That bathroom design was as ugly as wet socks in a gym bag.
Other Ways to Say: As gross as foot fungus, As stale as locker room air
28. Like a clown after a thunderstorm
Meaning: Run-down and freakish
In a Sentence: His makeup was running like a clown after a thunderstorm—ugly and dramatic.
Other Ways to Say: Like carnival leftovers, Like face paint in the rain
29. As ugly as jealousy in a friend’s eyes
Meaning: Emotionally ugly and uncomfortable
In a Sentence: That moment was as ugly as jealousy in a friend’s eyes.
Other Ways to Say: As dark as envy, As cold as betrayal
30. Like a computer virus on prom night
Meaning: Unwanted, chaotic, and disastrous
In a Sentence: The website redesign looked like a computer virus on prom night—ugly and destructive.
Other Ways to Say: Like glitter in soup, Like tech sabotage at a wedding
Final Thoughts
“Ugly” doesn’t always have to be insulting—it can be funny, colorful, or poetic, depending on how you use it. Similes give you the chance to be expressive and memorable in your descriptions. Whether you’re writing stories, jokes, or commentary, these similes will help you say “ugly” in smarter, bolder, and more creative ways.