LIKENESS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'likeness' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of likeness are analogy , resemblance , similarity , and similitude . While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'analogy' instead of 'likeness'?

In some situations, the words analogy and likeness are roughly equivalent. However, analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities. // pointed out analogies to past wars

Q: When is 'resemblance' a more appropriate choice than 'likeness'?

The words resemblance and likeness are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities. // statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

Q: When can 'similitude' be used instead of 'likeness'?

The meanings of similitude and likeness largely overlap; however, similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions. // two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

likeness

noun

ˈlīk-nəs

Definition of likeness

as in image

a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing the wealthy businessman hired a leading artist to paint his likeness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in replica

something or someone that strongly resembles another why, you're the very likeness of your mother!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in resemblance

the quality or state of having many qualities in common the forgery was difficult to detect due to the pinpoint likeness it bore to the original

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word likeness distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of likeness are analogy, resemblance, similarity, and similitude. While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," 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 is it sensible to use analogy instead of likeness?

In some situations, the words analogy and likeness are roughly equivalent. However, analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

When is resemblance a more appropriate choice than likeness?

The words resemblance and likeness are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

When can similitude be used instead of likeness?

The meanings of similitude and likeness largely overlap; however, 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 likeness And this past January, Reese Witherspoon also cautioned fans against engaging with fake accounts using her name and likeness. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 The teachings in this book are based in the Bible, from which the author derived her understanding of man as God’s immortal likeness or reflection. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026 But under pressure from lawsuits and states, the NCAA cleared the way in 2021 for athletes to receive money from private entities for the use of their name, image or likeness (NIL). — David A. Lieb, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 Robin Williams‘ three children have taken a step in the fight against AI slop using their father’s likeness by reactivating his Instagram account. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for likeness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for likeness

Noun

Before that, the monarchy had promoted a more secular and westernized image of women.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The images conveyed gravity, purpose and leadership in a time of existential crisis.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of image

Noun

If cave paintings tell the stories of the earliest human life, factices — the once-ubiquitous oversized perfume bottle replicas — play a similar role in revealing the histories of fragrance.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Now, the moviegoing public can stumble on perfect replicas of theatrical blockbusters on numerous social apps and screen them in full before copyright teams can hit the panic button.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of replica

Noun

For many skywatchers, the difference between 96% and 100% will be surprisingly subtle — the complete opposite to a total solar eclipse, where a 99% eclipse bears no resemblance whatsoever to totality.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Her mother, Linda Gaboriau, is an accomplished literary translator who had sometimes served as a photographers’ muse, and as an art student, Auf der Maur had been struck by her own resemblance to the muses of Botticelli and Gustav Klimt.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of resemblance

Noun

Members also flagged strong anticipation from North American press and said a Netflix awards team is preparing a campaign for the film that extends to a best picture push.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Live video is relayed to law enforcement, giving them a clear picture of what’s going on before officers enter the school.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of picture

Noun

Branch has similarities to Xavier Worthy, and that gives him the chance to be another WR4 with weekly boom upside … assuming Tagovailoa eats some spinach for that arm or Michael Penix returns under center.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Twenty years into the modern era of Housewifery, there are lots of similarities among the cities and among the women.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of similarity

Noun

Kristinka Lazar, for example, used the time as an artistic residency to create a collection of paintings called The Gift of Being Seen, featuring 45 portraits of local villagers.

— Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Watermelon was founded in 2024 by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali to present more complex portraits of Palestinians and Arabs.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of portrait

Noun

Women carrying twins or more babies at once also had substantially higher rates than those carrying one baby.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Taken together, these inputs—real geometry, real traffic, and each vehicle’s live GPS position—constitute what network researchers call a digital twin of the urban environment.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of twin

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“Likeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likeness. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of likeness

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