resemblance

noun

re·​sem·​blance ri-ˈzem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: the quality or state of resembling

especially : correspondence in appearance or superficial qualities

The brothers share a family resemblance.

b

: a point of likeness : similarity

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events is coincidental.

2

: representation, image

3

archaic : characteristic appearance

4

obsolete : probability

Synonyms of resemblance

• similarity

Choose the Right Synonym for resemblance

likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy mean agreement or correspondence in details.

likeness implies a closer correspondence than similarity which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike.

a remarkable likeness to his late father

some similarity between the two cases

resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

Examples of resemblance in a Sentence

He doesn't look exactly like his father, but there is some resemblance.

There is no resemblance between her and her sister.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, her hair bore a similar resemblance to her trademark aesthetic, complete with a middle part and mermaid curls. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025

France, Germany, Sweden, and others discovered their forecasts bore little resemblance to reality. —Joshua Rauh, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025

But then again, the Others sending Zosia in the first place could be considered manipulation, because of her resemblance to Raban. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025

But to discover yourself outpaced by a reality that bears an uncanny resemblance to your own fiction seems to be a particularly painful indignity to bear, a kind of spiritual ransacking. —Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblaunce, rassemblaunce "likeness, similarity, appearance, image," borrowed from Anglo-French resemblaunce "outward appearance, likeness, similarity," from resembler "to be like, resemble" + -aunce -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing resemblance

• bear a resemblance
• close resemblance
• family resemblance

Rhymes for resemblance

• semblance

Kids Definition

resemblance

noun

re·​sem·​blance ri-ˈzem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: the quality or state of resembling : similarity

b

: a point of likeness

2

: representation sense 1