as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the effectiveness of a metaphor largely depends upon the superficial dissimilarity of the two things being compared
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Recent Examples of dissimilarity
But the primary dissimilarity from the remainder of the homestand is not the loss but rather the four runs.
—
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025
In fact, some dissimilarity between Mojtaba and his father is a plus.
—Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Whether consumers are confused by the similarity (or dissimilarity) of the two designs goes to the heart of the dispute.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 July 2024
Still, the dissimilarities, in his view, outweighed the similarities.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dissimilarity
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025
In fact, some dissimilarity between Mojtaba and his father is a plus.
—Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Whether consumers are confused by the similarity (or dissimilarity) of the two designs goes to the heart of the dispute.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 July 2024
Still, the dissimilarities, in his view, outweighed the similarities.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dissimilarity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissimilarity
Noun
-
With the rallies over, the differences in ideology could complicate efforts to deliver their votes.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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The different signs in the crowd signaled the difference in ages of the attendees.—
Alex Gladden,
Oklahoman,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Humor about the pickle often stems from its distinctiveness—its tangy, assertive flavor and odd appearance lend themselves to exaggerated, whimsical depictions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
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Optimal distinctiveness essentially says that people want to belong to a group and to still be unique in some way at the same time.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The sheer diversity of gold necklaces in 2026 is nothing short of impressive.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Their sulfur-rich diet has also significantly reduced the diversity of their gut microbiomes.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That’s in contrast to an earlier trend from 2019 to 2023, when rates dropped only among white people and rose sharply among Black and Indigenous Americans.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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In contrast, with a GLP-1, people might be more inclined to take them because of their burnished reputation.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The market is full of vehicles that blur the line between a traditional e-bike and something closer to a motorcycle, and manufacturers don’t always make the distinction easy to spot.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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This distinction was missing both from popular discourse, the academics felt, and from an influential definition of antisemitism associated with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which lists numerous examples of antisemitism related to criticism of Israel.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dissimilarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissimilarity. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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