Definition of resemblancenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resemblance distinct from other similar nouns?

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

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

When might analogy be a better fit than resemblance?

The synonyms analogy and resemblance are sometimes interchangeable, but analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

How are the words likeness and similarity related as synonyms of resemblance?

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 similitude instead of resemblance?

The meanings of similitude and resemblance 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 resemblance The 45-year-old lawmaker, who bears a physical resemblance to his father, clearly sought to establish his own identity. ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 The two-piece swimsuit bore a striking resemblance to a bikini with a larger polka-dot pattern that Simpson wore for her birthday celebration. Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 This is for a variety of reasons, but relatively low speeds, gentle acceleration, extensive regenerative braking, and little resemblance to sustained motorway driving are key among them. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026 The veteran photographer provided Gunn great assistance in faithfully recreating the summit, and the photos Souza took have a striking resemblance to the original photos from ‘86. Barry Levitt, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resemblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resemblance
similarity
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

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Cite this Entry

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

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