analogy

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.

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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.

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of analogy Simmons made an analogy of Jenkins at the wheels of FIU’s offense. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 Create 5 different metaphors or analogies that would make this idea immediately clear to THIS specific client based on their background and references. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The pearl, in this analogy, is an interpretive reading. Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 That analogy neglects the great distances and associated challenges of the Asia theatre. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for analogy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogy
Noun
  • The metaphor of a bucket of cold water is inadequate.
    Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Stryker took aim at people who insisted on using the creature as a derogatory metaphor.
    Thomas Page McBee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The addictive opioid drug is 50 times more potent than morphine and can trigger a fatal overdose with as little as 2 milligrams, the equivalent of a few grains of salt.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The heft of batteries means EVs are generally a few hundred kilograms heavier than their fossil fuel equivalents.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There are plenty of similarities to the previous campaign, with the No 10 — now Wirtz — pushing up to the last line alongside the striker, while Salah stays high on the right wing.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • But the similarities are definitely there.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer reports that jobs requiring AI skills pay an average of 56% more than their non-AI counterparts, and that the skill sets demanded in these roles are evolving 66% faster than in traditional jobs.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • To break those down, The Athletic convened the following discussion between Dodgers beat writer Fabian Ardaya and his Padres counterpart, Dennis Lin.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Analogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogy. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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