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.
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 From outside the box, that probability hovers at around five per cent, not too dissimilar from the likelihood implied by the xG of a shot from that range. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Then again, Universal has been looking to open small-scale theme-park experiences in states like Texas, not completely dissimilar to the Netflix Houses. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 Locavores might choke on their Boise Farmers Market granola seeing a chain take over where a local business failed — with a not entirely dissimilar concept, to boot. Michael Deeds december 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 Dec. 2025 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 17 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

dissimilar

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

More from Merriam-Webster on dissimilar

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