resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling ri-ˈzem-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father

2

archaic : to represent as like

Examples of resemble in a Sentence

He strongly resembles his father in appearance and in temperament.

Terrier dogs closely resemble each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

But last year’s 5-7 team too often resembled the joyless Nebraska offenses Frost was supposedly leaving behind. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The crackdown comes as cities grapple with complaints about speeding, reckless riding and increasingly powerful electric motorcycles that can resemble e-bikes but reach much higher speeds. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026

The format closely resembles the traditional tour model that LIV originally sought to replace. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

This one resembles the winsome, acoustic Sea Change (2002) and Morning Phase (2014), dressing the shape-shifting troubadour’s reflective vocals in windswept orchestral-folk adornment. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblen, rasemblen "to be like, compare," borrowed from Anglo-French resembler, rasembler "to be like, appear to be, compare (to)" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + sembler "to look like, seem to be" — more at semblance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for resemble

• semble
• tremble
• assemble
• dissemble
• disassemble
• reassemble

Kids Definition

resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father