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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective familiar contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of familiar are common, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When would common be a good substitute for familiar?

The words common and familiar can be used in similar contexts, but common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

Where would ordinary be a reasonable alternative to familiar?

The words ordinary and familiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When could plain be used to replace familiar?

While the synonyms plain and familiar are close in meaning, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When is popular a more appropriate choice than familiar?

In some situations, the words popular and familiar are roughly equivalent. However, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of familiar?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

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 familiar
Adjective
Overall, several advocates say the first step is simply spreading awareness about the resources that already exist in the business, from unions to nonprofits to charities, that may not be familiar to developing artists that are accustomed to doing so much on their own. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025 For someone who has built her career on mindfulness and balance, Adriene Mishler found herself in a familiar yet humbling position last year—completely overextended. Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Most recently, the actor played Count Dracula in this year's Renfield opposite Nicholas Hoult's titular familiar. Clark Collis, EW.com, 17 May 2023 Beyond the internet hype machine, the product variety hits unsuspecting retail shoppers across financial buckets, design conscious online patrons and a host of famous familiars. Jacqueline Schneider, Forbes, 5 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for familiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
  • The news comes as YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s prison release inches closer, following reports last month that the Baton Rouge rhymer would be let out far earlier than originally scheduled.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2025
  • People who met at book club have gone on to become close friends and even roommates, Mitchell tells Axios.
    Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Broncos fans became acquainted with Perine in 2023 as the veteran running back who turned into a favorite third-down target and a two-minute weapon for Russell Wilson.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Research potential employers and become acquainted with their primary products, financial and commercial performance, values and business activities.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Skype, the pioneering and once ubiquitous free video calling service, will be history come May.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The actor has one daughter with ex-wife Melanie Griffith and has been dating his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel since 2014. 05 of 09 John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad The actor behind the arrogant Lord Farquaad boasts an impressive career that began decades before Shrek came out in 2001.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Many members of its board appeared arrogant in the face of questions from the prosecutor or one of the lawyers.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • This was the 21st home loss of the season for the Bulls, who have only won 10 games in front of their own fans this year.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Kurt Cobain was a musician who cemented his status as one of the greatest rock stars as the frontman of Nirvana back in the ’90s and passed away in 1994, but his fans are still buying and selling locks of his hair over three decades later.
    Mauricio Viladegutt, SPIN, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Later, one of their friends came to the house and discovered the body of one of the victims, Xana Kernodle.
    Mike Baker, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Even your grimy London suburb feels unsettling, but then again, it’s plagued by spooky goings-on: disappearances, violence, and wayward theories (specifically from your friend Marty) that there’s a demonic element to it all.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Such intimate settings and a new creative focus may offer a reprieve from the pressures of global exposure online.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The Spanish native uploaded an Instagram video of their intimate performance, showing Smith and Martinez locked in a moment of heated passion.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Now suppose your new whip-smart and informed marketing AI agent handled these tasks automatically, even optimizing placements precisely for the best results.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Experts encourage people who are struggling with the news to manage their exposure—while still staying reasonably informed.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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