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

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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 Giannulli has the same softly layered brunette hair and delicate features, and in these images, the likeness is impossible to miss. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 16 Sep. 2026 The upper chamber is working to pass a sweeping college sports bill, titled the Protect College Sports Act, that includes regulations around name, image and likeness rights and transfer eligibility. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Murphy took issue with the concept of the situation being chaotic, now that athletes are getting paid for name, image and likeness rights. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 Vertical actors including Ashley BeLoat and Evan Gambardella spoke to Business Insider in July about platforms allegedly using performances and likenesses from live-action microdramas in fully AI projects without human performers’ permission. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for likeness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for likeness

Noun

Light enters, and an image is reflected, but one’s consciousness is scaleable, elastic, shrinkable to the space within the glass.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
By now, Donohue would have been confident that Haaland was factually onside, but there was still the final stage, which is to approve an image that would be sent to the broadcasters.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of image

Noun

The museum learned about the model after a video shared by Macken’s daughter featuring the replica went viral, prompting staff to reach out.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Researchers will also create a 3-D scan of the tooth, which will be used to produce a replica.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of replica

Noun

The former, which the marque’s artisans have never used to create marquetry, was chosen for its resemblance to the birds’ iridescent plumage.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2026
Social media users quickly pointed out that the mugshot appeared to bear a striking resemblance to Jennifer Lopez.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of resemblance

Noun

But then this little picture called The Odyssey came calling for Annie.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Like all the other participants in the beginning class, Bugumba also has an artistic bent, bringing a tumbler artistically decorated with cat logos and a phone case covered with feline pictures.

— Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of picture

Noun

According to the chef, the global spotlight highlighted more similarities than differences between the World Cup and NFL fans.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
At both this year’s Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Seixas was clearly the second-best rider in the field behind Pogačar — and these are two races which bear similarities to the World Championships’ parcours.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of similarity

Noun

Pretenders, the portrait of this first-ballot frontwoman’s venerable punk outfit that just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, gives you a possible answer pretty quickly.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
For the first time, Zvyagintsev made a movie outside of Russia, moving Minotaur’s production to Latvia to stand in for a brutally frank portrait of his homeland at the dawn of the Ukraine war.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of portrait

Noun

With Oklo, the team is building machine-learning systems and digital twins for electrorefining.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
The Pigeon Sisters — Desi Amato as Gwendolyn and Penny Amara as Cecily — are played as distinct individuals rather than as near-twins as often happens.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of twin

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likeness

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“Likeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likeness. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of likeness

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