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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective familiar contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of familiar are common, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When would common be a good substitute for familiar?

The words common and familiar can be used in similar contexts, but common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

Where would ordinary be a reasonable alternative to familiar?

The words ordinary and familiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When could plain be used to replace familiar?

While the synonyms plain and familiar are close in meaning, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When is popular a more appropriate choice than familiar?

In some situations, the words popular and familiar are roughly equivalent. However, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of familiar?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

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 familiar
Adjective
But Leslie does an extraordinary job of providing context for familiar anecdotes, and there are many that will feel surprising. Kim Willis, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 And then, aren’t cats emblematic of whatever is familiar but ultimately unknowable? Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
Most recently, the actor played Count Dracula in this year's Renfield opposite Nicholas Hoult's titular familiar. Clark Collis, EW.com, 17 May 2023 Beyond the internet hype machine, the product variety hits unsuspecting retail shoppers across financial buckets, design conscious online patrons and a host of famous familiars. Jacqueline Schneider, Forbes, 5 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for familiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
  • And Amanda Marsalis and April Blair are some of my closest friends now.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Famous detective Sherlock Holmes faces a case where the lives of his closest friends are at risk.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Broncos fans became acquainted with Perine in 2023 as the veteran running back who turned into a favorite third-down target and a two-minute weapon for Russell Wilson.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Research potential employers and become acquainted with their primary products, financial and commercial performance, values and business activities.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Sheer looks are a ubiquitous part of many a modern red carpet event.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Plugging his new album with the wonderfully ubiquitous Brandi Carlile, the EGOT winner is the musical guest this week with Oscar nominee Carlile, who is back for her third time too.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.
    Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Five months later, PenaVega shared the devastating news with her fans and followers.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Many fans left comments pointing out just how fierce the diva looked.
    Caché McClay, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The actor died on Saturday, March 29, at 11:15 p.m. local time in Waimanalo, Hawaii, of complications following a stroke, a friend of Chamberlain's working on behalf of his retired publicist tells PEOPLE.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie There’s some fun stuff here, particularly once Laurie bails on her friends to see the fight with Valentin and the guys, then goes home with Aleksei.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Maddox found relief through photography and writing, including Motherhood: The Thread That Holds Us Together, a portrait study capturing the raw, vulnerable, and intimate moments of the motherhood journey that aren’t often seen, to combat isolation.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The shows are produced by both Audible and Together, a new company that Jackman and producer Sonia Friedman launched to create intimate and accessible live theater.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, when people feel informed and trusted, their morale and productivity soar, and, externally, transparency strengthens relationships with customers by reinforcing the company’s integrity and commitment to long-term success.
    Andrew Collis, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Only the most informed and engaged voters are going to show up.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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