Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective similar contrast with its synonyms?

The words analogous and parallel are common synonyms of similar. While all three words mean "closely resembling each other," similar implies the possibility of being mistaken for each other.

all the houses in the development are similar

When can analogous be used instead of similar?

The synonyms analogous and similar are sometimes interchangeable, but analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.

analogous political systems

In what contexts can parallel take the place of similar?

While the synonyms parallel and similar are close in meaning, parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things.

the parallel careers of two movie stars

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 similar Kiffin has a top-five team right now and has been given the resources to succeed, but Penn State could offer similar resources and an easier path to the CFP. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 The fat content, flavor, texture, and results will be incredibly similar. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 The Qin Plus remains one of BYD’s best-selling models, and the move follows a series of similar discounts earlier in September for the Tang DM-i, Seal 07 DM-i, and Qin L EV, as well as a broader round of price cuts back in May. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025 That law also led to the creation of the USMS Missing Child Unit, which leads similar recovery efforts nationwide. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for similar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for similar
Adjective
  • The notional $1,000- $2,000 tariff-revenue checks may be comparable in dollar amount to Biden’s stimulus checks, but Covid dollars and today’s dollars are much different due to the high inflation that’s occurred in recent years, outpacing wage growth.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • By carefully analyzing the subtle interactions of these signals, the technology can generate a highly detailed and accurate representation of a person’s presence, posture, and movement that is comparable to a camera snapshot, but constructed entirely from radio waves.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One need only read the US State Department’s 2024 human rights report on China to realize that naming a Chinese official to a human rights advisory committee is analogous to putting a wolf in charge of a hen house.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • At its core, the cloud is a model analogous to electricity, water, and other utilities; computing is a commodified service, generated at a remote location (in this case, a data center) and delivered through a network (here, the internet).
    Asad Ramzanali, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Humans and wildlife alike feast on the fruit, with a taste between a banana and a pineapple and a custard-like texture.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
  • One of my pieces was authenticated through eBay, and the leather, stitching, canvas, and quality are alike.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In piling up a season-high point total, the Hornets produced three 100-yard rushers to steamroll the Wildcats, the first such feat for Sac State in a single game for a program that fielded its first team in 1954.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Hidalgo-Monroy Wohlgemuth argues that, even with initiatives that offer farmers a livable income and pricing stability, such fair trade agreements aren’t a catch-all solution for rural livelihood development.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Similar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/similar. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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