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 Over the past few seasons, whenever the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles have been on national television, Foligno has been inundated with text messages from friends and family who have noticed Foligno’s stunning resemblance to Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 Eniiyi is born on the day her mom’s cousin is buried — and the resemblance is uncanny. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025 Barton’s story bears a striking resemblance to the narrative outlined in Corcoran’s legal claim and suggests the franchise was enjoying demonstrable success at a time that could be critical to determining if and how much she is owed. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025 What resemblance does all this have to Cervantes’ actual life? Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resemblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resemblance
similarity
Noun
  • Mpro, an enzyme that allows SARS-CoV-2 to replicate in host cells, holds structural similarities.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Researchers began to explore representational similarity among AI models with this approach in the mid-2010s and found that different models’ representations of the same concepts were often similar, though far from identical.
    Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Resemblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resemblance. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

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