dissimilar
Lacking common traits
Dissimilar describes things that are not alike or that differ from each other in notable ways.
It often appears with the preposition to or from: Her approach was dissimilar to anything we had tried before.
While similar suggests a degree of likeness, dissimilar emphasizes the absence of shared qualities or characteristics.
The word is somewhat formal; in everyday speech, people more often say different or unlike.
Not the same
- distinctClearly distinguishable, separate
- unlikeNot similar to
- unalikeNot the same
- disparateEssentially different in kind
nonidentical · divergent · incomparable · contrasting · differing · unequal · differentiated · distinguishable
Not fitting together properly
- incongruentNot in harmony
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- discordantLacking musical agreement
- incompatibleUnable to exist together
incongruous · inharmonious · ill-matched · unrelated · unconnected · dissonant · jarring · unsuited
Reverse or contrary thing
- antitheticalDiametrically opposed to
- contraryOpposed in nature
- contradictoryLogically opposed to itself
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
opposing · inverse · converse · counter · polar · antipodal · diametric · conflicting
Consisting of dissimilar elements
- diverseOf many types
- assortedOf various sorts
- variedDiffering in type
- mixedBlended from varied elements
eclectic · miscellaneous · multifarious · variegated · manifold · sundry · motley · patchwork
different
Not the same
disparate · nonidentical · divergent · incomparable · contrasting · differing · unequal · differentiated · distinguishable · unmatched
mismatched
Not fitting together properly
- incongruentNot in harmony
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- discordantLacking musical agreement
incompatible · incongruous · inharmonious · ill-matched · unrelated · unconnected · dissonant · jarring · unsuited · conflicting
opposite
Reverse or contrary thing
- antitheticalDiametrically opposed to
- contraryOpposed in nature
- contradictoryLogically opposed to itself
antithesis · opposing · inverse · converse · counter · polar · antipodal · diametric · conflicting · clashing
heterogeneous
Consisting of dissimilar elements
mixed · eclectic · miscellaneous · multifarious · variegated · manifold · sundry · motley · patchwork · mosaic