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

Unless another boy was injured, a boy with a father who resembled me. —Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 2025

Butler’s style resembled that of patient boxer Floyd Mayweather far more than lightning-quick Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, both of whom were courtside. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

The playful spot sees a group relaxing in a living room when a hand reaches out to pour a creamy liquid that resembles Kahlúa. —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

The initial tattoo image resembled a specific symbol of Hitler’s paramilitary Schutzstaffel, or SS, which was responsible for the systematic murders of millions of Jews and others in Europe during World War II. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for resemble

• semble
• tremble
• assemble
• dissemble
• disassemble
• reassemble

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