Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective similar contrast with its synonyms?

The words analogous and parallel are common synonyms of similar. While all three words mean "closely resembling each other," similar implies the possibility of being mistaken for each other.

all the houses in the development are similar

When can analogous be used instead of similar?

The synonyms analogous and similar are sometimes interchangeable, but analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.

analogous political systems

In what contexts can parallel take the place of similar?

While the synonyms parallel and similar are close in meaning, parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things.

the parallel careers of two movie stars

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 similar The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and a player once thought to be a potential No. 1 pick found himself in a similar spot as Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn, Geno Smith and all those other NFL quarterbacks who famously languished in that eternity of a limbo. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Get the Robb Report newsletter for similar stories delivered straight to your inbox. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025 Soon, police came for the families of gang members, for people whose tattoos looked similar to those of gang members, for people with any tattoos. Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025 The apparel industry can adopt similar practices by integrating real-time data analytics and supplier quality management and enhancing supplier collaboration to reduce lead times and minimize stockouts. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for similar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for similar
Adjective
  • If Villa prepare assiduously to burst out of the blocks at home, then the inverse is often true on the road, comparable to a marathon runner who is unsure of their durability in the last few miles.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The past two comparable moves in this small-investor proxy, in November 2022 and March 2022, led to stiff near-term declines in the basket within weeks.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In our model, the flow of traffic over a network of roads is analogous to the flow of fluids over a surface — motions that are governed by the laws of fluid dynamics.
    Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In 1958, Congress created Captioned Films for the Deaf, a program that was meant to be analogous to Talking Books for the Blind.
    David Owen, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Why Open Networks Make Sense Supply chains are deeply complex, and no two systems are alike.
    Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Adaptability Is Key No two performances are alike because no two audiences are alike.
    Dr. Jen Donnell, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The interviewer then asked Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, if such statements undermine the Fed’s role as an apolitical institution.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • As such, Oklahoma City would host that series no matter who makes it out of the East.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Similar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/similar. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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