likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: copy, portrait

2

: appearance, semblance

3

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance

Synonyms

• icon
• ikon
• illustration
• image
• picture

Choose the Right Synonym for likeness

likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy mean agreement or correspondence in details.

likeness implies a closer correspondence than similarity which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike.

a remarkable likeness to his late father

some similarity between the two cases

resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

Examples of likeness in a Sentence

a stamp bearing the likeness of a president

There's some likeness between them.

There's an uncanny likeness between them.

Recent Examples on the Web

With college players now earning six and seven figures for their name, image and likeness as well as women’s sports on the rise, the population and wealth of pro athletes has made sports a key driver of growth in wealth management. —Robert Frank, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024

The money making began back in July 2021, when the Supreme Court ruled the NCAA could not prevent student athletes from profiting by their name, image and likeness. —Bret Baier, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024

All human beings are indeed made in the image and likeness of God, but at the same time, all of us, spiritually speaking, are something of a mess. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Since the measuring session, artists had begun creating the figure in London, in a four-story complex that turns out almost two hundred likenesses a year. —Zach Zimmerman, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing likeness

• a good likeness

Kids Definition

likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: a picture especially of a person : portrait

2

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance