Synonyms of analogy

analogy

noun

1

as in metaphor

a way of describing or explaining one thing by means of describing another with which it shares certain points or qualities

The teacher used the analogy of a common pipeline to explain bandwidth on the Internet.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• metaphor
• simile
• device
• euphemism
• code word
• idiom
• circumlocution
• conceit
• dead metaphor
• crank
• expression
• figure of speech
• catachresis
• mixed metaphor

2

as in equivalent

resemblance in certain points or qualities between two or more otherwise unlike things

The study made note of analogies between human and ape social behavior.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• equivalent
• similarity
• counterpart
• homology
• equal
• parallel
• resemblance
• commonality
• common denominator
• similitude
• correspondence
• congruity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• difference
• discrepancy
• divergence
• variation
• modification
• change
• incongruity
• deviance
• incongruence
• dissimilarity

Synonym Chooser

How is the word analogy distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of analogy are likeness, resemblance, similarity, and similitude. While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

How do likeness and similarity relate to one another, in the sense of analogy?

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

When might resemblance be a better fit than analogy?

In some situations, the words resemblance and analogy are roughly equivalent. However, resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

When is similitude a more appropriate choice than analogy?

While in some cases nearly identical to analogy, similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of analogy

LaBruce avoids such family-movie fraud by adapting a political art movie about the destruction of a family that’s also an analogy for the dismantling of society. —Armond White, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025

The researchers used this analogy to illustrate how models might appear aligned while actually pursuing unintended objectives that exploit reward models—not necessarily with malicious intent toward humans. —Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025

The right analogy for this new ecosystem is not the Parisienne office building filled with administrators, but rather an English garden flowering with variety and alive with species. —John Sviokla, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

Ensign compared Boasberg's restraining order to a judge directing a carrier group from the South China Sea to the Persian Gulf -- an analogy that drew an immediate rebuke from Millett. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2025