dissimilar

adjective

dis·​sim·​i·​lar (ˌ)di(s)-ˈsi-mə-lər 

-ˈsim-lər

: not the same or similar : different or unalike

people with dissimilar backgrounds

dissimilar materials

The responsibilities of the resident were not dissimilar to those of the intern …

—James D. Hardy

dissimilarly

(ˈ)di(s)-ˈsi-mə-lər-lē 

-ˈsim-lər-

adverb

Synonyms

• different
• disparate
• distant
• distinct
• distinctive
• distinguishable
• diverse
• nonidentical
• other
• unalike
• unlike

Examples of dissimilar in a Sentence

The two movies are very dissimilar.

The writers have dissimilar backgrounds.

The question is not dissimilar to one asked earlier.

Recent Examples on the Web

If deeper layers have dissimilar tools, that suggests Quina technology was introduced from a neighboring group. —Ben Marwick, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025

The Rangers were active this offseason, making marginal improvements to a roster that’s not that dissimilar from the one that won the World Series in 2023. —Keith Law, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

How To Make Blueberry Scones The process of making scones is fairly easy and not too dissimilar from making biscuits. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025

The tone and grit is authentic to the original show, and the writing never feels too dissimilar. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dissimilāris, from Latin dis- dis- + Medieval Latin similāris similar

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dissimilar

• not dissimilar

Rhymes for dissimilar

• similar

Kids Definition

dissimilar

adjective

dis·​sim·​i·​lar (ˈ)dis-ˈ(s)im-ə-lər 

: different sense 1, unlike

dissimilarity

(ˌ)dis-ˌ(s)im-ə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

dissimilarly

(ˈ)dis-ˈ(s)im-ə-lər-lē 

adverb