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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective familiar contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of familiar are common, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When would common be a good substitute for familiar?

The words common and familiar can be used in similar contexts, but common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

Where would ordinary be a reasonable alternative to familiar?

The words ordinary and familiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When could plain be used to replace familiar?

While the synonyms plain and familiar are close in meaning, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When is popular a more appropriate choice than familiar?

In some situations, the words popular and familiar are roughly equivalent. However, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of familiar?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

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 familiar
Adjective
But the result could not be further from the familiar rawness of independent filmmaking. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025 But this year, a familiar sight is striking a more political tone. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The town is populated with familiars: her brother, her best friend, a new lover, a new grandniece. Condé Nast, The New Yorker, 17 July 2023 Most recently, the actor played Count Dracula in this year's Renfield opposite Nicholas Hoult's titular familiar. Clark Collis, EW.com, 17 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for familiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
  • Bishnoi denies involvement in Moosewala’s murder, but in an explosive interview from behind bars, accused his close aide of orchestrating it.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The departure of Busquets and Alba means Messi will lose two of his most talented teammates and closest friends.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Caron became acquainted with NESN’s people during the 1994-95 NHL lockout, during which the network covered a number of the Pirates’ games while the Bruins weren’t playing, including a playoff series involving the Pirates and the Providence Bruins.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
  • That's where Chad Volk, who opened LC Car Care in Lake Crystal in 2018, became well acquainted with the 2015 Edge.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • One club tune has been ubiquitous this summer.
    Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • For anyone who frequents the subway (or Equinox), the Beats Solo are ubiquitous.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Grealish, no longer prone, headed, just like Moyes, to the South Stand and appeared to blow a kiss to adoring fans.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The paddock was filled with drivers and engineers working together while surrounded by fans watching closely.
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Dress them up or down for work meetings, a movie night at home, or brunch with friends.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The unique setting called for a bit of creative design, so the couple tapped longtime friend Caroline Rolader of Reu Architects.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office charged Kevin Scholz, 45, of Franklin, with capturing an intimate representation of someone without consent and with disorderly conduct in late September.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • While the figures in some of the larger canvases are reminiscent of Lucian Freud’s twisting and turning sitters, Daushvili’s strongest work is not monumental but small and intimate.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To make an informed decision, Mueller wants to know what EnergySolutions would use the land for, but nobody has given him those answers.
    Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Candidates must be comfortable collaborating closely with engineering teams while making informed tradeoffs based on technical constraints and business impact.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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