Synonym Chooser

How is the word same different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of same are equal, equivalent, identical, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route
derived from the selfsame source

In what contexts can equal take the place of same?

Although the words equal and same have much in common, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When could equivalent be used to replace same?

The synonyms equivalent and same are sometimes interchangeable, but equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When might identical be a better fit than same?

While in some cases nearly identical to same, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How is very related to other words for same?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

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 same That same richness is available to you at work. Chiara Alzati, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Despair that there is no other way of living available and how to laugh at this same despair. Teddy Wayne september 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025 Our children and grandchildren will also likely face these same disguised attempts for decades to come—if there is anything left to protect, that is. Ryan Gellert, Time, 9 Sep. 2025 All of life happened in that same space. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for same
Recent Examples of Synonyms for same
Adjective
  • While the output varies even for identical inputs, models do sometimes regurgitate something from their training data—if trained with personal data, the output could be a violation of user privacy.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The charging case is nearly identical to the Pro 2's but slightly larger.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even fewer take the process to the very end, appealing to a third-party, or external, reviewer like Goldenberg.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The line’s latest fall drop is full of the very accessories that Gaines treasures most.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Richardson finished third in the semi-final; however, her time was fast enough to award her a non-automatic qualifying spot in the final, similar to what happened with her in Budapest.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • On tables set up in the plaza were candies from Mexico, as well as flags, small hats and boards for Loteria, a game similar to bingo.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By reducing time spent at charging stations, the technology aims to make the EV ownership experience more comparable to refueling a conventional vehicle.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants are actively seeking to reduce their reliance on international suppliers, but domestic alternatives aren't always available or comparable.
    Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By way of comparison, Fox averaged a little north of 13 million viewers with its analogous Week 1 window a year ago.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • With analog simulators, physicists map a quantum system of interest onto an analogous system — one that obeys equations of the same form but is easier to configure and observe in a lab.
    Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Same.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/same. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on same

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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