Synonyms of identical

identical

adjective

ī-ˈden-ti-kəl 

1

as in same

being one and not another

both families wanted the identical puppy and weren't accepting the argument that its littermates were just as good

Synonyms & Similar Words

• same
• selfsame
• very

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• different
• other
• another
• various
• dissimilar
• distinct
• unlike
• distinctive
• distinguishable
• diverse
• varied
• disparate
• differentiable
• discriminable
• unalike

2

as in similar

resembling another in every respect

identical dresses whose only difference is a designer label that fetches a high price

Synonyms & Similar Words

• similar
• comparable
• same
• analogous
• equivalent
• indistinguishable
• equal
• duplicate
• synonymous
• matching
• coequal
• corresponding
• such
• parallel
• much of a muchness
• like
• even
• alike
• coordinate
• tantamount
• akin
• correspondent
• look-alike
• suchlike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• different
• other
• dissimilar
• distinct
• unlike
• distinctive
• distinguishable
• diverse
• nonidentical
• disparate
• distant
• unalike
• differentiable
• various
• discriminable
• varied
• miscellaneous
• sundry
• divers

Synonym Chooser

How is the word identical different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of identical are equal, equivalent, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

In what contexts can equal take the place of identical?

In some situations, the words equal and identical are roughly equivalent. However, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When is equivalent a more appropriate choice than identical?

The synonyms equivalent and identical are sometimes interchangeable, but equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of identical?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route

derived from the selfsame source

How does the word very relate to other synonyms for identical?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of identical

The administrative and criminal subpoenas are practically identical, says Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, which has brought many of the lawsuits fighting these subpoenas. —Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 12 June 2026

Non-qualified annuities Annuities can provide you with valuable retirement income, but not all annuities receive identical legal protections. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 June 2026

The more than 4,000 brides and grooms wore matching outfits — the brides in identical white gowns, grooms in dark suits and red ties. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Dallen Richard and Isabella Tilley welcomed identical triplet girls, Elanor, Blair and Laynni. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026