resemblance

noun

re·​sem·​blance ri-ˈzem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: the quality or state of resembling

especially : correspondence in appearance or superficial qualities

b

: a point of likeness : similarity

2

: representation, image

3

archaic : characteristic appearance

4

obsolete : probability

Synonyms

• common denominator
• commonality
• congruity
• correspondence
• parallel
• similarity
• similitude

Choose the Right Synonym for resemblance

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 resemblance in a Sentence

He doesn't look exactly like his father, but there is some resemblance.

There is no resemblance between her and her sister.

Recent Examples on the Web

The history of my people bears little resemblance to the Scotland of the American imagination. —Leslie Jamison, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025

The camera then zooms out to reveal Chalamet flanked by four young men who bear varying degrees of resemblance to the actor, dressed like his Wonka character, Bob Dylan, and in classic Timmy street style. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 22 Jan. 2025

The inaugural entry in the series was actually a one-on-one fighting game like Samurai Shodown or Soulcalibur, bearing little resemblance to the free-for-all style the franchise is now known for. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025

Donald Trump's Tech Bro Orbit—How Silicon Valley Merged With MAGA Trump giving a shove toward a ceasefire bears little resemblance to Reagan's mythic role in ending the Cold War. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblaunce, rassemblaunce "likeness, similarity, appearance, image," borrowed from Anglo-French resemblaunce "outward appearance, likeness, similarity," from resembler "to be like, resemble" + -aunce -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing resemblance

• bear a resemblance
• close resemblance
• family resemblance

Kids Definition

resemblance

noun

re·​sem·​blance ri-ˈzem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: the quality or state of resembling : similarity

b

: a point of likeness

2

: representation sense 1