IDENTICAL Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'identical' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of identical are equal , equivalent , same , selfsame , and very . While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details. // identical results

Q: In what contexts can 'equal' take the place of 'identical'?

In some situations, the words equal and identical are roughly equivalent. However, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality. // equal shares in the business

Q: When is 'equivalent' a more appropriate choice than 'identical'?

The synonyms equivalent and identical are sometimes interchangeable, but equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance. // two houses equivalent in market value

Q: How are the words 'same' and 'selfsame' related as synonyms of 'identical'?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things. // took the same route // derived from the selfsame source

Q: How does the word 'very' relate to other synonyms for 'identical'?

Very , like selfsame , may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind. // the very point I was trying to make

identical

adjective

ī-ˈden-ti-kəl

Definition of identical

as in same

being one and not another both families wanted the identical puppy and weren't accepting the argument that its littermates were just as good

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in similar

resembling another in every respect identical dresses whose only difference is a designer label that fetches a high price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word identical different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of identical are equal, equivalent, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

In what contexts can equal take the place of identical?

In some situations, the words equal and identical are roughly equivalent. However, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When is equivalent a more appropriate choice than identical?

The synonyms equivalent and identical are sometimes interchangeable, but equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of identical?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route

derived from the selfsame source

How does the word very relate to other synonyms for identical?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

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 identical Tiffany Haddish Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key’s 2016 action comedy Keanu centers on the duo trying to save the eponymous kitten, played by seven identical rescue cats. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026 There is no evidence that the ball moves more regularly down the slope than up it, with the distribution almost identical to every other venue. — Ben Jones aug. 26, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Two lawyers can work identical hours in the same organization and experience their jobs in fundamentally different ways — one drained by constant conflict, another by lack of autonomy, another by isolation. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Bioidentical hormones are made to be chemically identical to hormones naturally produced by the body. — Erin Jones, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for identical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for identical

Adjective

Making history is fast becoming an everyday thing for Caitlin Clark—same goes for her friend Taylor Swift.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Courts rely on consistent legal standards to ensure fairness, and businesses rely on those same principles to make investments, hire employees, and plan for the future.

— Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of same

Adjective

Guarducci also noted the strength of the market, adding that Beverly Hills restaurants can generate volumes 20 to 30 percent higher than comparable New York locations.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Predicting Murray’s ceiling in Minnesota is comparable to predicting the weather.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of comparable

Adjective

Astronomers are finding that in between the brightest stars, the 'tallest skyscrapers' in the above analogy, there are much fainter stars analogous to smaller buildings.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026
War weariness on the rise Ukrainian experts say the logic of hitting largely consumer targets is in part retribution for analogous Russian attacks, and that disrupted supply chains affect the military as well.

— Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of analogous

Adjective

The Athletic reported on Sunday that Tottenham Hotspur had reached an agreement in principle to sign Ndiaye from Everton, while Everton had also reached an equivalent agreement for Richarlison.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The ministry described its copper resources as equivalent to several large copper mines and its gold resources as exceeding those of 10 large gold mines.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of equivalent

Browse Nearby Words

idées fixes

identical

identically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Identical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/identical. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of identical

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes