dissimilar

adjective

dis·​sim·​i·​lar (ˌ)di(s)-ˈsi-mə-lər 

-ˈsim-lər

: not the same or similar : different or unalike

people with dissimilar backgrounds

dissimilar materials

The responsibilities of the resident were not dissimilar to those of the intern …

—James D. Hardy

dissimilarly

(ˈ)di(s)-ˈsi-mə-lər-lē 

-ˈsim-lər-

adverb

Synonyms

• different
• disparate
• distant
• distinct
• distinctive
• distinguishable
• diverse
• nonidentical
• other
• unalike
• unlike

Examples of dissimilar in a Sentence

The two movies are very dissimilar.

The writers have dissimilar backgrounds.

The question is not dissimilar to one asked earlier.

Recent Examples on the Web

Players can redecorate their homes with a build mode not too dissimilar from that in Fortnite Battle Royale. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

This would not be dissimilar to police intelligence centers, commonly referred to as Real-Time Crime Centers. —Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

The song was written by Tom Gray of the Brains, who released a not entirely dissimilar rendition five years earlier. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Nov. 2024

The initial reactions out of the film’s Cannes premiere were a bit hostile (which is typical of a festival that caters to hyperbolic responses, both positive and negative), but for the man’s fans, Elvis isn’t that dissimilar from his go-for-broke portrayal(s) in Cloud Atlas. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dissimilāris, from Latin dis- dis- + Medieval Latin similāris similar

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dissimilar

• not dissimilar

Kids Definition

dissimilar

adjective

dis·​sim·​i·​lar (ˈ)dis-ˈ(s)im-ə-lər 

: different sense 1, unlike

dissimilarity

(ˌ)dis-ˌ(s)im-ə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

dissimilarly

(ˈ)dis-ˈ(s)im-ə-lər-lē 

adverb