dissimilar

adjective

dis·​sim·​i·​lar (ˌ)di(s)-ˈsi-mə-lər How to pronounce dissimilar (audio)
-ˈsim-lər
Synonyms of dissimilarnext
: not the same or similar : different or unalike
people with dissimilar backgrounds
dissimilar materials
The responsibilities of the resident were not dissimilar to those of the intern …James D. Hardy
dissimilarly adverb

Examples of dissimilar in a Sentence

The two movies are very dissimilar. The writers have dissimilar backgrounds. The question is not dissimilar to one asked earlier.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Symbiosis refers to a close association between two dissimilar organisms that may benefit or harm one or both organisms. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026 In many ways, Weir tells Big Think in an email interview, the challenge of writing hard sci-fi isn’t too dissimilar from teaching a high school science class. Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026 Two dissimilar government agencies have inadvertently combined to clarify the immigration debate. George F. Will, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2026 In 2003, Van Der Beek married his first wife, actress Heather McComb, who appeared on Party of Five, a teen drama not entirely dissimilar to Dawson’s Creek. Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissimilar

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dissimilāris, from Latin dis- dis- + Medieval Latin similāris similar

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissimilar was in 1599

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissimilar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissimilar. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

dissimilar

adjective
dis·​sim·​i·​lar (ˈ)dis-ˈ(s)im-ə-lər How to pronounce dissimilar (audio)
dissimilarly adverb

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