Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of same are equal, equivalent, identical, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," 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

In what contexts can equal take the place of same?

Although the words equal and same have much in common, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When could equivalent be used to replace same?

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

two houses equivalent in market value

When might identical be a better fit than same?

While in some cases nearly identical to same, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How is very related to other words for same?

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

the very point I was trying to make

Examples of same in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So the princess thanked the salesperson and found a pair of those same exact shoes at a second-hand shoppe, lightly worn, for a mere ten shillings. Kerry Elson, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024 Startup founders can apply this same lesson by planning their business operations in detail but leaving space for flexibility. Abdo Riani, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Given that the number of billion-dollar-plus disasters are on the rise, the U.S. is going to confront these same problems over and over again. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024 In clean air, bird lungs have evolved to be incredibly efficient, but in smoky conditions, that same adaptation works against them. Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for same 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'same.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near same

Cite this Entry

“Same.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/same. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on same

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