likeness

noun

ˈlīk-nəs How to pronounce likeness (audio)
Definition of likenessnext
1
as in image
a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing the wealthy businessman hired a leading artist to paint his likeness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in replica
something or someone that strongly resembles another why, you're the very likeness of your mother!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in resemblance
the quality or state of having many qualities in common the forgery was difficult to detect due to the pinpoint likeness it bore to the original

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word likeness distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of likeness are analogy, resemblance, similarity, and similitude. While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," 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 analogy instead of likeness?

In some situations, the words analogy and likeness are roughly equivalent. However, analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

When is resemblance a more appropriate choice than likeness?

The words resemblance and likeness are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

When can similitude be used instead of likeness?

The meanings of similitude and likeness 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 likeness Bruno Valentinetti, the restorer, initially denied the likeness. —Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026 Nicoleas Mayne, a former NHL player agent, advises high-profile celebrity and venture-backed brands, creators, and a range of managers, agents, investors and other companies interacting with the creator economy and name-image-and-likeness markets. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Grace comes to the Hollywood studio after serving as chief strategy officer at Vermillio, an AI platform built to license and protect IP and peoples’ likeness and personas. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 But that conference realignment has contributed to some of Houston’s financial limitations, including recruiting in this era of name, image and likeness compensation and revenue sharing. —Justin Williams, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for likeness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likeness
  1. image
  2. replica
  3. resemblance
  4. depiction
  5. picture
  6. similarity
  7. portrait
  8. twin
Noun
  • The images from the doorbell camera show the intruder approaching the alcoved entryway of Guthrie’s house with his head down, walking hunched over, as if trying to avoid his face being seen.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But prompts can also contain other videos and images.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • Fitch, driven to preserve the friendship and her memories, spent years building a one-third-scale replica of Yo’s house, a process documented in the film YO (Love Is a Rebellious Bird), directed by Fitch and Banker White.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
  • There’s a Gatsby-esque lighthouse replica prominent in the Spa’s main foyer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of replica
Noun
  • From its immense wealth to the stability of its institutions, the United States bears little resemblance to Haiti.
    — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Lee’s home is nestled in the Bordeaux community, a traditionally African American neighborhood in northwest Nashville named for its resemblance to the southwestern French city.
    — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of resemblance
Noun
  • Following the movie’s Sundance premiere last year, Sweeney spoke to Deadline about creating a messy, relatable depiction of a gay character through Dennis.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Gone with the Wind earned Margaret Mitchell the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937, though many themes of the book are recognized as problematic today, including racist and stereotypical depictions of Black characters and the glorifications of slavery and the Civil War.
    — Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • Written and performed Kentucky natives Nick Jamerson and Kris Bentley, the this song is love note to Kentucky which paints a nostalgic picture of familiar landscapes like old barns, tobacco patches, and the specific, winding journey of the Kentucky Mountain Parkway.
    — Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Oliver Weiken—picture alliance/Getty Images As the top-scoring qualifier, Gremaud was the final competitor to take her first turn, following Gu.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of picture
Noun
  • The conversation between Nevin and Cholowsky during their hourlong lunch mostly was about their similarities at the same stage in their careers and the ways Nevin approached the day-to-day of his draft year.
    — Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Some noticed similarities between the Native and Vietnamese colonial experiences.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of similarity
Noun
  • Written like a field research journal, Emily Wilde is a clever and charming portrait of a scientist on a journey toward discovery, hard at work in the field and stumbling toward love, all at the same time.
    — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The finale, which focuses on a single subject (obsessed with and thus defensive of his own public nudity), comes closest to escaping a steady stream of antagonization and painting a nuanced portrait of what’s keeping a range of Americans from finding community.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • My favorite finds are scent twins with luxe brands like Le Labo, Chanel, Dior, and Gucci—just to name drop a few.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
  • In the film, the twins return from Chicago in the early 1930s, which inspired Carter to turn to photos of Chicago gangsters from the era.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of twin

Browse Nearby Words

likened
likeness
likenesses
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Cite this Entry

“Likeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likeness. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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