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

Winter Gear As cold weather arrives each year, hats, gloves, and scarves tend to accumulate, with nearly identical options filling bins and baskets. —Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026

Many applicants have received identical messages lately, befuddling students as well as lab heads who may be used to hearing about rejections but not a string of applications simply returned without review. —Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026

Before kick-off, their home record is identical to Newcastle’s away — won two, drawn four, lost six — but when the game begins, the similarities shrivel. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Everyone Responds Differently to Dessert Blood sugar responses aren’t identical for everyone. —Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026