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

If the candy surroundings evoke the famous fantasyland, Google Ventures, and its only LP Alphabet, occupy a role within the startup scene that’s not so dissimilar from Willy Wonka’s factory. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2024

The kitty cut is also categorised by a chunkier curtain fringe, not too dissimilar to the butterfly haircut (which gives the illusion of shorter hair without losing much length). —Maisie Bovingdon, refinery29.com, 16 Jan. 2024

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder and newness is not too dissimilar. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2024

That being said, what Mike studied was not completely dissimilar from Miyagi-Do. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 20 July 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