RESEMBLANCE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

resemblance

noun

ri-ˈzem-blən(t)s

Definition of resemblance next

as in similarity

a point which two or more things share in common I see a family resemblance between you and your brother

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as in likeness

the quality or state of having many qualities in common the look of the director's latest film bears a strong resemblance to the look of his last film

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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 The new device bears a striking resemblance to Whoop’s health tracker, featuring a soft fabric band with a battery and sensor pack underneath. —

Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 May 2026 The complaint calls the resemblance deliberate. —

Christopher Harris, CBS News, 6 May 2026 That bears little resemblance to the EPA’s testing, which remains the closest approximation of real-world efficiency for EVs. —

Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026 The new show features Cuban actor Ariel Texido, who bears a resemblance to a younger Alvarez Guedes, and is in Spanish with few Spanglish bits that longtime fans will remember. —

Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resemblance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resemblance

similarity

Noun

The similarities continued in the third period when Quinn scored the Sabres’ sixth goal on a power play, just as Demidov did in Game 5.

— Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 May 2026
The similarities to the book end there — at least on the surface.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 16 May 2026

Definition of similarity

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resells

resemblance

resemblances

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“Resemblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resemblance. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of resemblance

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