resemblance

noun

re·​sem·​blance ri-ˈzem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: the quality or state of resembling

especially : correspondence in appearance or superficial qualities

b

: a point of likeness : similarity

2

: representation, image

3

archaic : characteristic appearance

4

obsolete : probability

Synonyms

• common denominator
• commonality
• congruity
• correspondence
• parallel
• similarity
• similitude

Choose the Right Synonym for resemblance

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 resemblance in a Sentence

He doesn't look exactly like his father, but there is some resemblance.

There is no resemblance between her and her sister.

Recent Examples on the Web

The pair even reenacted Ice Cube's famous mean mug while on Conan back in 2015 and the resemblance was just too uncanny. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024

Alfaro’s true story bears little resemblance to Estela’s fictional arc in Clean, but themes recur throughout both narratives: two poor women whose hopelessness—over whether their lives might ever truly belong to them—fuels anger and frustration. —Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2024

Sean sticks around, but his relationship with Jimmy and Paul bears increasingly little resemblance to any kind of therapy, traditional or not. —Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024

The final shot of the episode shows a blue crown materialize on his head, one that maintains a striking resemblance to the scarlet crown once donned by Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblaunce, rassemblaunce "likeness, similarity, appearance, image," borrowed from Anglo-French resemblaunce "outward appearance, likeness, similarity," from resembler "to be like, resemble" + -aunce -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing resemblance

• bear a resemblance
• close resemblance
• family resemblance

Kids Definition

resemblance

noun

re·​sem·​blance ri-ˈzem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: the quality or state of resembling : similarity

b

: a point of likeness

2

: representation sense 1