Language is full of colorful expressions that help paint vivid pictures of personality and emotion.
When it comes to describing someone as “mean,” there’s no shortage of creative comparisons — from animals and weather to strong drinks and tools.
These similes don’t just describe cruelty or anger; they capture the intensity, sharpness, or bitterness behind a person’s actions.
Similes for Mean
1. As mean as a snake
Meaning:
Very cruel or unkind; someone who enjoys hurting or scaring others.
Usage:
She may look sweet, but she can be as mean as a snake when she’s angry.
That boss is as mean as a snake — no one dares to talk back to him.
2. As mean as a junkyard dog
Meaning:
Extremely aggressive, tough, or fierce.
Usage:
The coach was as mean as a junkyard dog during practice.
He guards his property like he’s as mean as a junkyard dog.
3. As mean as a hornet
Meaning:
Very irritable or bad-tempered.
Usage:
Watch out — she’s as mean as a hornet today after that long meeting.
When he’s tired, he can be as mean as a hornet.
4. As mean as vinegar
Meaning: Sour and unpleasant in attitude or behavior.
Usage:
That old man next door is as mean as vinegar to everyone.
She snapped at me — as mean as vinegar for no reason at all.
5. As mean as a wet cat
Meaning: Furious or extremely annoyed.
Usage:
Don’t mess with her when she’s upset — she’s as mean as a wet cat.
He got as mean as a wet cat when someone scratched his new car.
6. As mean as they come
Meaning: Extremely unkind or harsh; the worst kind of mean person.
Usage:
That teacher used to be as mean as they come, never smiling once.
My neighbor is as mean as they come — he yells at kids for playing outside.
7. As mean as the devil
Meaning: Exceptionally wicked, cruel, or spiteful.
Usage:
He can be as mean as the devil when he doesn’t get his way.
Some people say she’s as mean as the devil behind that fake smile.
8. As mean as a bear with a sore head
Meaning: Very irritable or grumpy, especially when something has gone wrong.
Usage:
Dad’s as mean as a bear with a sore head when he skips breakfast.
After losing the game, the coach was as mean as a bear with a sore head.
9. As mean as cold coffee
Meaning: Dull, unkind, and lacking warmth or kindness.
Usage:
His reaction was as mean as cold coffee not a bit of sympathy.
She gave me a look as mean as cold coffee when I asked for help.
10. As mean as an old crow
Meaning: Harsh, cranky, and unpleasant, especially referring to an older person.
Usage:
That lady at the counter is as mean as an old crow — never smiles at anyone.
He’s as mean as an old crow when you try to correct him.
11. As mean as a scorpion
Meaning:
Vicious or spiteful, especially when provoked.
Usage:
He’s as mean as a scorpion when someone crosses him.
She can sting you with her words as mean as a scorpion.
12. As mean as a cornered rat
Meaning: Dangerous and aggressive when threatened.
Usage:
Be careful — he’s as mean as a cornered rat when he’s under pressure.
That cat was trapped and as mean as a cornered rat.
13. As mean as fire
Meaning: Harsh and destructive; capable of hurting deeply.
Usage:
Her insults were as mean as fire, burning everyone in the room.
He can get as mean as fire when someone challenges him.
14. As mean as a rattlesnake
Meaning: Treacherous and quick to attack.
Usage:
That politician’s as mean as a rattlesnake when defending his reputation.
She might smile, but she’s as mean as a rattlesnake underneath.
15. As mean as a wasp
Meaning: Easily angered and ready to strike out.
Usage:
She’s been as mean as a wasp ever since the argument.
He got as mean as a wasp when someone parked in his spot.
16. As mean as a coyote
Meaning: Sneaky, dangerous, and untrustworthy.
Usage:
He’s as mean as a coyote — always plotting something behind your back.
You can’t trust him; he’s as mean as a coyote when it comes to money.
17. As mean as bad whiskey
Meaning: Harsh, unpleasant, and likely to make you regret dealing with them.
Usage:
That boss is as mean as bad whiskey strong and bitter all the way through.
He’s as mean as bad whiskey when he’s had a bad day.
18. As mean as an alley cat
Meaning: Fierce, scrappy, and always ready for a fight.
Usage:
She fought back as mean as an alley cat during the debate.
He’s as mean as an alley cat when someone talks bad about his family.
19. As mean as a buzzard
Meaning: Ruthless, greedy, and unfeeling.
Usage:
Those salesmen are as mean as buzzards they’ll take everything they can get.
He’s as mean as a buzzard when it comes to business deals.
20. As mean as a wolf
Meaning: Aggressive, cold, and ready to attack or dominate.
Usage:
He’s as mean as a wolf when he’s in a competitive mood.
The manager can be as mean as a wolf when people miss deadlines.
21. As mean as black coffee
Meaning: Strong, bitter, and without sweetness or warmth.
Usage:
His words were as mean as black coffee straight and bitter.
She gave me a glare as mean as black coffee first thing in the morning.
22. As mean as a drill sergeant
Meaning: Very strict, harsh, and demanding.
Usage:
The coach is as mean as a drill sergeant during training.
She ran the household as mean as a drill sergeant.
23. As mean as an old boot
Meaning: Tough, harsh, and unkind; without softness or sympathy.
Usage:
He’s as mean as an old boot and proud of it.
That woman’s as mean as an old boot — not a smile in sight.
24. As mean as a thunderstorm
Meaning: Fierce, loud, and uncontrollable.
Usage:
She came into the room as mean as a thunderstorm after hearing the news.
He was as mean as a thunderstorm when his plans got canceled.
25. As mean as a wild boar
Meaning: Violent and easily enraged.
Usage:
That guy’s as mean as a wild boar when he’s hungry.
He charged through the argument as mean as a wild boar.
26. As mean as a bad dream
Meaning: Disturbing, cruel, and hard to forget.
Usage:
That insult was as mean as a bad dream — it stuck with me all day.
He treated me as mean as a bad dream and didn’t even apologize.
27. As mean as a steel trap
Meaning: Cold, unfeeling, and sharply cutting.
Usage:
Her tone was as mean as a steel trap — no mercy at all.
He’s as mean as a steel trap when it comes to business negotiations.
28. As mean as a kicked dog
Meaning: Angry and defensive due to past mistreatment.
Usage:
He’s been as mean as a kicked dog ever since the company let him go.
She barked back as mean as a kicked dog when criticized.
29. As mean as winter wind
Meaning: Bitter, cold, and cutting; lacking warmth.
Usage:
Her reply was as mean as a winter wind — sharp and uncaring.
He can be as mean as winter wind when he’s in a foul mood.
30. As mean as spoiled milk
Meaning: Disagreeable, unpleasant, and foul in behavior or attitude.
Usage:
That guy’s as mean as spoiled milk — sour and rude to everyone.
She turned as mean as spoiled milk after losing the contest.
31. As mean as barbed wire
Meaning: Harsh, prickly, and hurtful.
Usage:
His words were as mean as barbed wire — cutting right through me.
She can be as mean as barbed wire when she’s defending her opinion.
