Synonym Chooser

How is the word identical different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of identical are equal, equivalent, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

In what contexts can equal take the place of identical?

In some situations, the words equal and identical are roughly equivalent. However, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When is equivalent a more appropriate choice than identical?

The synonyms equivalent and identical are sometimes interchangeable, but equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of identical?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route
derived from the selfsame source

How does the word very relate to other synonyms for identical?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

Examples 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 identical Consider, instead of a gas, a group of identical game pieces on a checkerboard. Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024 Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Sam Altman of Open AI are the latest moguls to each pony up identical $1 million gifts to the fund bankrolling the glitzy Jan. 20 return to power for Trump. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024 Both bourbons are excellent and display unique aroma and flavor profiles despite an identical mash bill. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Origin’s new chemical platform enables the production of plastics like PET and other industrial chemicals identical to those derived from hydrocarbons without the environmental impacts of oil extraction and refining. Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for identical 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for identical
Adjective
  • Both of Brown’s predecessors followed that same logic — considering everything and eliminating nothing — but never seriously entertained moving any of the club’s impending free agents.
    Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
  • That same year, Ball was promoted to principal dancer.
    Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Concerns have been voiced within the community regarding the paint schemes for the team's No. 6 and No. 60 cars under the Castrol sponsorship, which resulted in similar looks for each vehicle, allegedly diminishing their individual identities.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • This faux-shearling coat from Gap has slim lines and a single row of buttons, similar to what Holmes wore, but in all-black.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Rural states like West Virginia have life expectancies akin to those in developing nations, while wealthier states like California boast outcomes comparable to European ones.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Lululemon China Sales As a result, the company has turned to China for growth, which so far has helped lift sales across the overall business and because of that company-wide comparable sales grew 4% during the quarter.
    Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Self-publishing is analogous to modern communication, but more in relation to social media and blogging than self-publishing on Amazon or through a vanity press.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 11 Dec. 2024
  • PMTs would function in an analogous role to deliver basic primary care.
    Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In audio book time, that's equivalent to 62 hours and 48 minutes.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The fines would be equivalent to the number of TikTok users who continued to use TikTok after the divestiture deadline — currently January 19 — times 5,000: a number that could quickly reach into tens or hundreds of billions.
    Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near identical

Cite this Entry

“Identical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/identical. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on identical

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