ANALOGY Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

analogy

noun

Definition of analogy next

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

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of analogy But the analogies have those who study biblical texts concerned about what evangelicals expect from a second Trump administration. —

Jason Derose, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025 No analogy is perfect, but a different historical moment feels, to me, more immediate and more challenging as a reference point. —

Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025 The New Orleans native shared an analogy of a five-year-old who imagines being the knight in shining armor and having to slay a dragon to save the princess in a tower. —

Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 28 Jan. 2025 The Lakers' superstar made the analogy between the NBA and the NFL like a little brother and a big brother fighting. —

Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for analogy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogy

Noun

For Giedi Prime, septic tanks became the visual metaphor associated with the Hardonnen and their morals of a sewer.

— Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
Fueled by headlines, and theoretical metaphors attributed to the film ahead of release, there was an overwhelming desire to see Sam Wilson versus President Ross/Red Hulk serve as a direct allegory for liberal America’s fight against President Trump.

— Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025