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

Lyle founded a massive beautification program, raising more the $250,000 to install greenery to help prison life to resemble the outside world. —Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 13 May 2025

In February, Blanchard spoke to PEOPLE and shared that her baby daughter Aurora is already starting to resemble her and Urker. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 12 May 2025

The team noted there was a set of gold spiral hoop earrings that resembled other jewelry found at two other Thailand sites, according to the release. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025

For long periods of Saturday’s 3-1 away win against Fulham, Everton resembled the walking wounded. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 12 May 2025

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