analogous
Comparable in function
Analogous describes things that are similar or comparable in certain respects, typically in function or relationship rather than origin.
Analogous structures in biology serve similar purposes but evolved independently—bird wings and bat wings are analogous.
More broadly, anything parallel or corresponding: The CEO's role is analogous to a ship's captain.
The word implies useful comparison without claiming identity.
Resembling another thing
- parallelEquidistant at all points
- correspondingMatching in character
- equivalentSame in value or function
- comparableAble to be likened
akin · like · resembling · matching · related · cognate · kindred · homologous
Scaled to fit properly
- commensurateEqual in measure
- correspondingMatching in character
- equivalentSame in value or function
- correlativeMutually dependent counterpart
relative · scaled · comparative · ratio · coextensive · equitable · balanced · symmetrical
Having shared evolutionary origin
- cognateWord sharing etymological origin
- relatedConnected by blood or nature
- evolutionaryPertaining to gradual biological change
- structuralRelating to building framework
ancestral · phylogenetic · vestigial · derived · comparative · morphological · convergent · inherited
Symbolic rather than literal
- symbolicRepresenting through signs
- allegoricalExpressing meaning through symbols
- representationalDepicting recognizable subjects
- figurativeRepresenting through imagery
parallel · corresponding · illustrative · comparative · emblematic · suggestive · evocative · allusive
similar
Resembling another thing
- parallelEquidistant at all points
- correspondingMatching in character
- equivalentSame in value or function
comparable · akin · like · resembling · matching · related · cognate · kindred · homologous · tantamount
proportionate
Scaled to fit properly
- commensurateEqual in measure
- correspondingMatching in character
- equivalentSame in value or function
correlative · relative · scaled · comparative · ratio · coextensive · equitable · balanced · symmetrical · reciprocal
homologous
Having shared evolutionary origin
- cognateWord sharing etymological origin
- relatedConnected by blood or nature
- evolutionaryPertaining to gradual biological change
structural · ancestral · phylogenetic · vestigial · derived · comparative · morphological · convergent · inherited · developmental
metaphorical
Symbolic rather than literal
- symbolicRepresenting through signs
- allegoricalExpressing meaning through symbols
- representationalDepicting recognizable subjects
figurative · parallel · corresponding · illustrative · comparative · emblematic · suggestive · evocative · allusive · parabolic
- resemblanceresemble, similar, alike, lookalike, likeness
- color theorycolor theory, hue, primary colors, secondary colors, saturation
- color schemesmonochromatic, complementary, triadic, neutral, warm colors
- Project Estimationestimate, forecast, ballpark, quote, bid
- approximationsabout, approximately, around, roughly, almost
- complementarymatching, harmony, counterpart, compatible, fitting
analogousunrelated
Having no link
unconnected · irrelevant · disconnected · alien · foreign