likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs How to pronounce likeness (audio)
1
2
3
: the quality or state of being like : resemblance
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 As the walls began to close in on college sports, the NCAA resorted to a policy permitting students to be compensated based on their name, image, and likeness —NIL— a regime that is meant to provide some kind of compensation and equity within the existing system. Guy Lawson, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024 Share your thoughts | More about Emily Cochrane Tennessee first intervened to protect an artist’s name, image and likeness with a 1984 law, which came as the Presley estate was battling in court to control how the musical legend’s name and likeness could be used commercially after his death. Emily Cochrane, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Steve Wozniak has won the latest round in a legal battle of Silicon Valley titans after a San Jose appeals court ruled YouTube can’t count on a controversial communications law to shield itself from responsibility for a scam that used the legendary Apple’s co-founders’ likeness. Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 The movie isn’t always successful at translating the bleak, cautionary poetry of Dr. Seuss’ environmental fable (or its message, considering the studio sold the Lorax’s likeness to an SUV commercial). Janey Tracey, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2024 There was also unproven controversy about whether the woman with uncanny likeness to Kate was even her. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 Two weeks ago, EA offered $600 and a free copy of the game to any player who agreed to have their likeness featured, and more than 10,000 of the 11,390 FBS players already are on board, meaning EA will be paying players a total of $6 million to $7 million. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The Great American Songbook Foundation, recognizes the likeness as well. Stephen Cox, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 During Tuesday's Women of the World reception at Buckingham Palace, Queen Camilla, 75, was presented with a one-of-a-king Barbie doll made in her likeness, even dressed in a replica of her elegant ensemble: a stunning blue Fiona Clare dress paired with an Amanda Wakeley coat. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'likeness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of likeness was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near likeness

Cite this Entry

“Likeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likeness. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

likeness

noun
like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs How to pronounce likeness (audio)
1
: a picture especially of a person : portrait
2
: the quality or state of being like : resemblance

More from Merriam-Webster on likeness

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