dissimilar 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)di(s)-ˈsi-mə-lər How to pronounce dissimilar (audio)
Definition of dissimilarnext
as in different
being not of the same kind a place where people with dissimilar backgrounds can interact

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dissimilarity

2 of 2

noun

(ˌ)di(s)-ˌsi-mə-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce dissimilarity (audio)
as in difference
the quality or state of being different the effectiveness of a metaphor largely depends upon the superficial dissimilarity of the two things being compared

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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 dissimilar
Adjective
Car batteries are not too dissimilar to the AA batteries in your TV’s remote control. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Many of the challenges that trans and nonbinary young folks are experiencing aren’t so dissimilar to the larger LGBTQ community. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 17 July 2026
Noun
The researchers found a small increase in occupational dissimilarity compared to older graduates, which could reflect early AI effects but also could just as easily be attributed to labor market trends, including employers’ and job-seekers’ reactions to noise about AI replacing workers. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 But the primary dissimilarity from the remainder of the homestand is not the loss but rather the four runs. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dissimilar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissimilar
  1. different
  2. diverse
  3. distinctive
  4. distinct
Adjective
  • Disney — also profitable — has made three rounds of layoffs in 2026 across different parts of the business.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In reality, both objects orbit the star in the same direction, just at different, changing speeds.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of different
Adjective
  • Conceivably, there is Naftali Bennett, who served as PM in 2021-22 but could not keep his diverse coalition together.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
  • His great-grandson is focused on how to build a corporate culture that suits both Japan, “our mother countryâ€� and the source of more than half of the group’s sales, and the diverse expectations of 40,000 employees around the world.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of diverse
Adjective
  • That includes colorblock styling, chunky knobs and physical controls, and simple shapes that make each device memorable and distinctive.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The person buried there is believed to have belonged to the Linear Pottery culture — named for the distinctive spiral and wavy patterns decorating its pottery.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinctive
Adjective
  • Coleman said each design has its own distinct character and can be styled individually, either as a subtle everyday detail or a sculptural statement.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Scientists have performed cosmic genealogy on planetary systems in the Milky Way, finding two distinct families that influence the evolution and fate of these systems.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinct

Browse Nearby Words

dissidents
dissimilar
dissimilarity
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Cite this Entry

“Dissimilar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissimilar. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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