likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: copy, portrait

2

: appearance, semblance

3

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance

Synonyms

• icon
• ikon
• illustration
• image
• picture

Choose the Right Synonym for likeness

likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy mean agreement or correspondence in details.

likeness implies a closer correspondence than similarity which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike.

a remarkable likeness to his late father

some similarity between the two cases

resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

Examples of likeness in a Sentence

a stamp bearing the likeness of a president

There's some likeness between them.

There's an uncanny likeness between them.

Recent Examples on the Web

The company contracts gave Presley only minority shares in the ventures — just 20 percent in at least one case — even though Kruse received the exclusive license to profit off of Presley’s name, image, and likeness. Presley has not commented on the legal war outside of her filings. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2024

The plaintiffs also seek certification of their case as a class action on behalf of NCAA players who played before June 15, 2016, and whose image or likeness was used by the NCAA, Big Ten Network or its business partners. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2024

Colleges' success with name image and likeness has become a top tool to recruit new student athletes, said Taylor Jacobs, LSU Athletics associate athletic director for NIL and strategic initiatives. —April Rubin, Axios, 9 Sep. 2024

Wilken stated her concern about provisions of the deal that could affect name, image and likeness (NIL) payments to student-athletes. —Reuters, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing likeness

• a good likeness

Kids Definition

likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: a picture especially of a person : portrait

2

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance