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 But the resemblance ends there. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026 Sue Root, a nurse and single mother of three in Colorado who is paid through Medicaid to care for her 25-year-old daughter, said Kennedy’s words bore little resemblance to her daily life. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026 The resemblance between real chondrites and the model’s results isn’t exact, however. Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026 Today’s skilled trades, Morgan said, bear little resemblance to the jobs of a generation ago. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resemblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resemblance
similarity
Noun
  • As to why the format interested him, Hawley pointed to a similarity with Fargo.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Using advanced language modeling and similarity analysis, the platform matches an internal job title with the five most relevant benchmark jobs in ERI’s database.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Resemblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resemblance. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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