similar

adjective

ˈsi-mə-lər How to pronounce similar (audio)
Definition of similarnext
as in comparable
having qualities in common the two actresses accidentally wore similar outfits to the same gala

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 And so mathematicians have set aside the 7/8 paper to focus on the 11/12 one, which seems to involve similar techniques and has similar consequences. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Discontented teachers staged similar walkouts elsewhere in Spain this year. — Teresa Medrano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Deepfake memes grant a similar carte blanche to their creators, while introducing even pricklier questions about race and authenticity. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 The squash should sound hollow when tapped, similar to a watermelon. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for similar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for similar
  1. comparable
  2. analogous
  3. alike
  4. such
Adjective
  • The physiological case for a brief dunk is, by her own account, comparable.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
  • According to Inception, Mercury 3 is more than 40 times larger than its first-generation model, Mercury 1, while maintaining comparable processing speeds.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of comparable
Adjective
  • Canada retaliated with its own set of near-analogous duties on more than $20 billion in American goods in early September.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Bayzo's pub is analogous to an English tavern, with creamy cups of clam chowder and a piano likely to launch you into Elton John renditions.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of analogous
Adjective
  • America's most affluent suburbs are more alike than different.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • According to author Caroline Hallemann—whose book The Kennedys and the Windsors came out on June 2—the two women were even more alike than meets the eye.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Definition of alike
Adjective
  • But since making that promise in November 2025, as of this month, such dividends have yet to materialize.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The exponential growth of the global AI industry is adding fresh urgency to such challenges.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of such

Browse Nearby Words

silvery
similar
similarities
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Similar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/similar. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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