likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: copy, portrait

2

: appearance, semblance

3

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance

Synonyms of likeness

• image
• depiction
• portrait
• illustration
• picture

Choose the Right Synonym for likeness

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 likeness in a Sentence

a stamp bearing the likeness of a president

There's some likeness between them.

There's an uncanny likeness between them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Underwood, the five-star recruit from the Detroit area who commanded a multimillion-dollar name, image and likeness deal to sign with Michigan, had completed only 11 passes before getting a last-second reprieve. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

This included managing the rights to her image, name and likeness — at times, to controversial ends. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Along with the physical likeness came the assumption that the animals posed a similar threat to livestock. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Jason Isbell has filed a class action lawsuit against Suno, with the country rocker accusing the prominent AI music generation platform of letting users rip off artists’ musical likeness without permission. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing likeness

• a good likeness

Rhymes for likeness

• unlikeness

Kids Definition

likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: a picture especially of a person : portrait

2

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance