resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling ri-ˈzem-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father

2

archaic : to represent as like

Examples of resemble in a Sentence

He strongly resembles his father in appearance and in temperament.

Terrier dogs closely resemble each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Singularity is highly readable, but its finale now resembles a heavy-handed parody of Sixties sexism. —Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

The tiny lentils resemble coins, while the rich sausage signals prosperity for the year ahead. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

Another set of tracks does not resemble modern human footprints but is still clearly left by a fully bipedal hominin. —Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024

Their lives more closely resemble pop music stars than a guy who hits a lot of home runs for the New York Yankees. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblen, rasemblen "to be like, compare," borrowed from Anglo-French resembler, rasembler "to be like, appear to be, compare (to)" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + sembler "to look like, seem to be" — more at semblance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father