similar
Close but distinct
Similar describes things that share qualities without being identical.
Two similar houses resemble each other but aren't the same house.
Similar can suggest close resemblance (Their writing styles are remarkably similar) or loose comparison (We had a similar experience).
The word implies enough overlap to invite comparison, but enough difference to prevent calling things the same.
Sharing key features
- equivalentSame in value or function
- analogousComparable in certain respects
- akinRelated in nature
- correspondingMatching in character
matching · parallel · kindred · cognate · homologous · tantamount · commensurate · congruent
Visual similarity or representation
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
- kinshipState of being related
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- comparisonAssessment of similarities
counterpart · parallel · echo · mirror · reflection · twin · double · lookalike
Identical reproduction made
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- duplicateExact replica of original
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
- reproductionCopying or procreation
clone · knockoff · counterfeit · forgery · fake · mock · simulation · emulation
Implied identity comparison
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- comparisonAssessment of similarities
- parallelEquidistant at all points
correlation · symbolism · representation · figurative · allusion · archetype · homology · exemplification
alike
Sharing key features
- equivalentSame in value or function
- analogousComparable in certain respects
- akinRelated in nature
corresponding · matching · parallel · kindred · cognate · homologous · tantamount · commensurate · congruent · interchangeable
likeness
Visual similarity or representation
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
- kinshipState of being related
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
comparison · counterpart · parallel · echo · mirror · reflection · twin · double · lookalike · spitting image
copy
Identical reproduction made
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- duplicateExact replica of original
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
reproduction · clone · knockoff · counterfeit · forgery · fake · mock · simulation · emulation · mimicry
metaphor
Implied identity comparison
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- comparisonAssessment of similarities
parallel · correlation · symbolism · representation · figurative · allusion · archetype · homology · exemplification · analogue
- comparisonscomparison, compare, comparative, analogy, metaphor
- resemblanceresemble, alike, lookalike, likeness, twin
- Samenessalike, likeness, matching, congruent, identical
- shape propertiesconvex, concave, symmetric, regular, irregular
- kindredkin, clan, tribe, relatives, family
- recommendation termswatch list, queue, favorites, top picks, must-sees
- similar toResembling in nature
- similar to me
- similar trianglesShapes with equal corresponding angles
- epic simileElaborate extended comparison in verse
similarity, similarly, assimilate, dissimilar, simile, assimilation, similarities, dissimilarity, assimilated