SIMILARITY Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'similarity' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of similarity are analogy , likeness , resemblance , and similitude . While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," 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 could 'analogy' be used to replace 'similarity'?

In some situations, the words analogy and similarity are roughly equivalent. However, analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities. // pointed out analogies to past wars

Q: Where would 'resemblance' be a reasonable alternative to 'similarity'?

The words resemblance and similarity can be used in similar contexts, but resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities. // statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

Q: In what contexts can 'similitude' take the place of 'similarity'?

While in some cases nearly identical to similarity , similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions. // two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

similarity

noun

ˌsi-mə-ˈler-ə-tē

Definition of similarity

as in resemblance

the quality or state of having many qualities in common the similarity between the two essays is too great to be coincidental—one author virtually copied the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commonality

a point which two or more things share in common the only similarity between this project and the last one is that both will involve some lab work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word similarity distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of similarity are analogy, likeness, resemblance, and similitude. While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," 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 could analogy be used to replace similarity?

In some situations, the words analogy and similarity are roughly equivalent. However, analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

Where would resemblance be a reasonable alternative to similarity?

The words resemblance and similarity can be used in similar contexts, but resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

In what contexts can similitude take the place of similarity?

While in some cases nearly identical to similarity, 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 similarity The result here is a form of investigation, mining for similarities, or resonances, between play and film, the characters and their dynamics. — Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 Praising the festival as an extraordinary meeting place, Clooney used his award speech to stress the need for humanity to understand its similarities, rather than dwell on differences. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Another similarity is recent movements in the Japanese yen. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 His reputation also had to recover from a 2017 incident that bore some similarities to today’s case. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for similarity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for similarity

resemblance

Noun

For his part, Breen says that both dates are false and that the yearbook picture (which bears a striking resemblance to him) is a different person.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
And yes, most everyone will call it the Batmobile, as the resemblance certainly warrants it.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of resemblance

Browse Nearby Words

similarities

similarity

similarly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Similarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/similarity. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of similarity

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inexorable

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