similarity

noun

sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty ˌsi-mə-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce similarity (audio)
-ˈla-rə-
plural similarities
1
: the quality or state of being similar : resemblance
2
: a comparable aspect : correspondence
Choose the Right Synonym for similarity

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 similarity in a Sentence

I doubt that these words are related beyond a similarity in sound. The books share a similarity of ideas. I see a lot of similarities in them. Looking at these fossils, I see some similarity to modern-day birds. I see very little similarity between your situation and his.
Recent Examples on the Web Its forests grow by drawing on the similarity in repetitive tasks undertaken by people in the past. Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 What Is an Atlantic Diet? Due to their geography, the cuisines of Spain and Portugal bear many similarities to those of the Mediterranean. Sarah Garone, Health, 1 Mar. 2024 While each retailer has a very different customer base, there are a few similarities across the board. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 Users on TikTok noted the similarities in a series of videos, with the composer of the TV theme song also weighing in. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2024 Some of the evidence collected by investigators in Northern Kentucky included identifications from victims, DNA and even an FBI profiler’s assessment which tied two of the rapes together based on the similarities of how the crimes were committed. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024 In Forbes, senior contributor Edward Segal compared Lahaina to California’s 2018 Camp Fire, noting similarities and gleaning insights that may help avoid another calamity in the wake of the next fire that threatens a community. Richard Danforth, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The similarity of such profiles and posts — and the sheer number of them — is evidence of a coordinated network, according to @conspirator0. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024 Although the series comes with the typical disclaimer that any similarities to real people are coincidental, the case calls to mind the Quadriga story and the December 2018 death of its CEO, Gerald Cotten. Amber Dowling, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin similāritāt-, similāritās, from Medieval Latin similāris similar + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of similarity was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near similarity

Cite this Entry

“Similarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/similarity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

similarity

noun
sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty ˌsim-ə-ˈlar-ət-ē How to pronounce similarity (audio)
plural similarities
1
: the quality or state of being similar : resemblance
2
: a point in which things are similar : correspondence

More from Merriam-Webster on similarity

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