Synonym Chooser

How is the word identical different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of identical are equal, equivalent, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

In what contexts can equal take the place of identical?

In some situations, the words equal and identical are roughly equivalent. However, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When is equivalent a more appropriate choice than identical?

The synonyms equivalent and identical are sometimes interchangeable, but equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of identical?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route
derived from the selfsame source

How does the word very relate to other synonyms for identical?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

Examples of identical in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web Trump wears a nearly identical political uniform that has become instantly recognizable and closely associated with conservative politicians. Therèsa M. Winge, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024 The monologue is nearly identical — minus some obvious zoo-specific details — to recent social media statements from Roan, whose supersonic rise to fame this year prompted her to open up about her mental health and establish firm boundaries with entitled fans. Sarah Burke, Them, 23 Oct. 2024 These two pies may look identical and share many of the same ingredients, but there are some key differences. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2024 The question will once again be identical for both parties. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for identical 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for identical
Adjective
  • That same poll says 74% of Black voters were backing the vice president.
    Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
  • And same goes for those of us affected by that struggle.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Beshear and McCormick drew many parallels between their states at the Jeffersonville rally, with McCormick saying Indiana deserves a governor who will serve its people in style similar to that of Beshear.
    Killian Baarlaer, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Nov. 2024
  • In the ad in question, Rudd and Rogen adopt a similar conversational pattern to the Virgin scene, but without the homophobia that makes the movie sequence uncomfortable for some viewers.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Equal Time Rule requires broadcasters to provide rival candidates comparable time, however, news programming is exempt.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The analyst noted that Chipotle’s comparable restaurant sales growth of 6% was almost in line with the Wall Street’s mean estimate of 6.2%.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The potential for outsized influence by a foreign power in a country’s internal affairs is analogous to the American discussion over fracking.
    Daniel Markind, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The artist agents of recent years look to play an analogous role on behalf of artists themselves.
    Natasha Degen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Long After Dark moved 11,400 equivalent units in the past tracking week, with almost all of those being actual purchases.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The track is the lead single from Jelly Roll’s LP Beautifully Broken, which bowed at No. 1 on Top Country Albums and the all-genre Billboard 200 dated Oct. 26 with 161,000 equivalent album units, marking his initial leader on each list.
    Jim Asker, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near identical

Cite this Entry

“Identical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/identical. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on identical

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