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

as in similarity

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Apple Martin’s resemblance to her mom Gwyneth Paltrow has, at this point, been very well-documented. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026 Mautone found the resemblance of the honeydew balls to tennis balls too good to pass up. — Jason Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 But the personality and character of M bears zero resemblance to the person of Natalie Portman. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 The 45-year-old lawmaker, who bears a physical resemblance to his father, clearly sought to establish his own identity. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resemblance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resemblance

similarity

Noun

He is best known for introducing the idea of dynamical similarity to cosmological systems — a mathematical realization of philosophical principles in physics.

— Big Think, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2026
There is no historical source that puts the similarity between the two diadems in writing.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of resemblance

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