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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
Encinitas Cruise Nights The Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association has started its 26th annual presentation of Encinitas Cruise Nights, including new and familiar car clubs and awesome local live bands. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2025 Sound familiar to anyone who’s worked in SaaS lately? Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
The girl is writing a letter to her brother, and the visitation, the Kid, the Thalidomide Kid, her frightful familiar, is taunting her. Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 14 Dec. 2022 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
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • And Tanner Scott, a $72 million reigning All-Star closer, has blown several save opportunities.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • An up-and-coming leader can keep the interactions casual with a handshake, an introduction and an invitation to get more acquainted outside of the event.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Two years later, Carrie became acquainted with Miranda in a Bloomingdale’s dressing room.
    Hannah Malach, Footwear News, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Reflective writing, another recent trend, is practically ubiquitous in medical schools and residency programs, and there is some evidence that writing may make doctors more empathetic and observant.
    Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025
  • Smart lawn mowers certainly aren't as ubiquitous as their indoor, floor-cleaning counterparts, and there are several good reasons for that.
    John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The exiled poet was criticized for his arrogant attempts to influence British and American foreign policy.
    Graham Robb, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
  • There is something dangerously, provocatively arrogant about his glorified gang leader looks.
    Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Cooper's post comes on the heels of a round of revelations that shocked fans.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • With the second season of Prime Video’s Gen V coming soon, Jaz Sinclair has opened up on what fans can expect.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • Researchers found that those with a friend perceived the hill as less steep.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • In subsequent years, Saville and Nochlin became friends.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Its reign is now over, thanks to the arrival of a neighbor that’s even more intimate and determinedly low-profile.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
  • The operation, which would have required extensive planning and an intimate knowledge of the archive’s location and security, pushed the first Trump administration to withdraw from the original nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
    Leila Gharagrozlou, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Consequently, more informed teams and leaders face a reduced chance of undesirable outcomes.
    John Hall, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Both candidates touted their experience in the district and said their background with Newport-Mesa Unified will enable them to make informed decisions and gain insight into what the district most needs.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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