Synonyms of analogy

analogy

noun

1

as in metaphor

a way of describing or explaining one thing by means of describing another with which it shares certain points or qualities

The teacher used the analogy of a common pipeline to explain bandwidth on the Internet.

Related Words

• metaphor
• simile
• device
• euphemism
• code word
• idiom
• circumlocution
• conceit
• dead metaphor
• crank
• expression
• figure of speech
• catachresis
• mixed metaphor

2

as in equivalent

resemblance in certain points or qualities between two or more otherwise unlike things

The study made note of analogies between human and ape social behavior.

Related Words

• equivalent
• similarity
• counterpart
• homology
• equal
• parallel
• resemblance
• commonality
• common denominator
• similitude
• correspondence
• congruity

Dissimilar Words

• difference
• discrepancy
• divergence
• variation
• modification
• change
• incongruity
• deviance
• incongruence
• dissimilarity

Synonym Chooser

How is the word analogy distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of analogy are likeness, resemblance, similarity, and similitude. While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

How do likeness and similarity relate to one another, in the sense of analogy?

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

When might resemblance be a better fit than analogy?

In some situations, the words resemblance and analogy are roughly equivalent. However, resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

When is similitude a more appropriate choice than analogy?

While in some cases nearly identical to analogy, similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of analogy

The analogy Dalio offers is the difference between chess and Go. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Well, the Book of Job left me troubled, but that golden-retriever analogy has fixed things! — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026

These analogies can also apply to the teams involved. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 16 June 2026

The best analogy to direct democracy in contemporary life is jury duty, which generally seems to go better than anyone expects. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026