plural likenesses
1
: a picture of a person : portrait
a stamp bearing the likeness of a president
The painting is a good likeness of her. [=the painting looks very much like her]
2
: the quality or state of being alike or similar especially in appearance
People always remarked on his likeness [=resemblance] to his late father.
There's some likeness between them.
There's an uncanny likeness between them.
In comparing the two documents, researchers have noted some surprising likenesses. [=similarities]
Cite this Entry
“Likeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/likeness. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.
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