resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling ri-ˈzem-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father

2

archaic : to represent as like

Examples of resemble in a Sentence

He strongly resembles his father in appearance and in temperament.

Terrier dogs closely resemble each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

In many ways, though, these resemble the peak oil supply arguments of the 2000s and 2010s and are similarly questionable. —Michael Lynch, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Taylor Earrings Do these earrings not resemble a pull bow before it’s been, well, pulled? —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

The latest machine, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, is a more compact machine that resembles the Vertuo Next and right now there’s a cool matte black model on sale. —Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 2 Dec. 2024

Some of Trump’s current Cabinet picks, such as defense-secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, resemble these appointees in their attitudes and positions. —Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblen, rasemblen "to be like, compare," borrowed from Anglo-French resembler, rasembler "to be like, appear to be, compare (to)" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + sembler "to look like, seem to be" — more at semblance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father