IDENTICAL Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

identical

adjective

ī-ˈden-ti-kəl

Definition of identical next

as in same

being one and not another both families wanted the identical puppy and weren't accepting the argument that its littermates were just as good

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in similar

resembling another in every respect identical dresses whose only difference is a designer label that fetches a high price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 identical And, for a spell in the nineteen-eighties, Lynch kept a proto-ricky group of identical Woody Woodpecker dolls in his office, named Chucko, Buster, Pete, Bob, and Dan. —

Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025 This stunning royal blue scarf looks nearly identical to the fun bit of color Yeoh added to her all-black look. —

Lauren Fischer, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025 The two-seater retains the ICE variant’s stylish exterior but features a tri-motor electric powertrain, nearly identical to the one in the all-new Alfa Romeo Stradale 33. —

Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025 Responses were virtually identical, 31% and 48%, respectively, in a new NPR/PBSNewsHour/Marist poll. —

Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for identical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for identical

Adjective

Butler asked when posed with that same hypothetical following his return from suspension.

— Zach Harper, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
That same year, coworking outfit WeWork leased four floors at Cohen's office tower on East 57th St. By 2018, the startup had expanded to 123,000 square feet there and also took more than 80,000 square feet at 750 Lexington.

— Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025