Synonym Chooser

How is the word same different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of same are equal, equivalent, identical, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route
derived from the selfsame source

In what contexts can equal take the place of same?

Although the words equal and same have much in common, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When could equivalent be used to replace same?

The synonyms equivalent and same are sometimes interchangeable, but equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When might identical be a better fit than same?

While in some cases nearly identical to same, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How is very related to other words for same?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of same That coach is still in there, carrying all those same beliefs, but perhaps not in the same form. Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 These same groups have for years fought against delisting the bears, arguing that Western states like Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana are unable to manage grizzlies responsibly. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Jan. 2025 If those same cracks in our culture began now, AI might be part of the solution. Larry English, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Per the outlet, later that same year, 17-year-old Matthew Nikolai was killed by a car on the same part of the road while crossing it with his family. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for same 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for same
Adjective
  • Wallace’s fourth victim, Audrey Spain, and his seventh, Vanessa Mack, were killed in almost identical fashion — with double ligatures, says Price, who was lead detective on the Spain case.
    Michael Gordon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Wellcome Sanger researchers went on to identify clusters of identical, mutated cells in a variety of other tissues, including the esophagus, bladder and colon.
    Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The interim president will also take on leadership of the agency amid a debate about its very future.
    Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Resilience is taking a very energy-efficient path to the moon and therefore will get there after Blue Ghost does.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • While its thousands of mini LED clusters can't provide the same contrast as MicroLED’s millions of lights, its similar potency provides the same striking brightness alongside remarkable color accuracy.
    Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The post quickly drew responses from other travelers sharing similar frustrations.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Greenland's area is more comparable to that of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is still slightly larger.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Obviously, Rooker is not in the same class as Judge and Soto here, but is comparable to Stanton and O’Neill - both had slightly higher K rates, and his BB rate slotted in neatly between O’Neill (11.3%) and Stanton (8.2%).
    Tony Blengino, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The table lamp adds an analogous touch by pairing colors that are next to each other on the color wheel: yellow and orange.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Top 10 Center Fielders There is no other MLB team in the Toronto media market, so Guerrero's situation will not be perfectly analogous to the precedents set by Soto and Ohtani.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near same

Cite this Entry

“Same.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/same. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on same

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