Synonyms of likeness

likeness

noun

ˈlīk-nəs 

1

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

• image
• depiction
• portrait
• illustration
• picture
• representation
• resemblance
• photograph
• icon
• drawing
• view
• caricature
• watercolor
• silhouette
• sketch
• collage
• etching
• delineation
• cartoon
• montage
• diagram
• daub
• finger painting
• doodle
• hieroglyph
• ideograph
• ideogram
• hieroglyphic
• pictograph

2

as in replica

something or someone that strongly resembles another

why, you're the very likeness of your mother!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• image
• replica
• picture
• twin
• portrait
• clone
• duplicate
• counterpart
• equivalent
• facsimile
• duplication
• portrayal
• double
• mirror image
• carbon
• alter ego
• carbon copy
• fetch
• look-alike
• doppelgänger
• spit
• ringer
• match
• spitting image
• effigy
• companion
• fellow
• mate
• analogue
• parallel
• equal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opposite
• reverse
• antithesis
• converse

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resemblance
• similarity
• similitude
• comparability
• correspondence
• parallelism
• alikeness
• community
• semblance
• correlation
• identity
• equation
• equivalence
• affinity
• relationship
• equivalency
• parity
• analogousness
• interchangeability
• accordance
• agreement
• sameness
• identicalness
• par
• congruity
• compatibility
• conformity
• exchangeability

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• difference
• unlikeness
• distinctness
• discrepancy
• distinctiveness
• disparity
• dissimilarity
• disagreement
• inequality
• conflict
• polarity
• dissimilitude
• incongruity
• disparateness
• incompatibility
• nonconformity
• incongruence
• dichotomy
• discriminability
• differentiability
• imbalance
• disproportion
• incongruousness
• distinguishability
• anomalousness
• nonequivalence

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

Recent Examples of likeness

The No Fakes bill proposes to cover unauthorized replicas of a person’s voice and likeness more broadly. — Shira Lazar, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026

The bill regulates college athletics, including transfer eligibility and name, image and likeness rights. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

For the sake of his reputation, anyone whose likeness appears in this book gets VETTED and pronounced innocent by DAVE. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

The legislation would also codify the regulation of name, image and likeness deals that have transformed college athletics in recent years by allowing athletes to be paid — some of them as much as millions of dollars per season. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026