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similarity

noun
sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty | \ ˌsi-mə-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce similarity (audio) , -ˈla-rə-\
plural similarities

Definition of similarity

1 : the quality or state of being similar : resemblance
2 : a comparable aspect : correspondence
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about similarity

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Judges will be looking at similarity of behavior, hair and clothing. — Donna Freedman, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska State Fair 2019: Fun from A to Z," 15 Aug. 2019 The billionaire now faces a complicated ethical landscape with striking similarities to the entanglements surrounding his Republican political ally, President Donald Trump. — Ken Ward Jr., ProPublica, "Welcome to the Greenbrier, the Governor-Owned Luxury Resort Filled With Conflicts of Interest," 15 Aug. 2019 Because of the similarities in the two reports, authorities believe the assaults were perpetuated by the same man. — Los Angeles Times, "Two recent assaults on women in Goleta prompt sheriff to issue warning," 13 Aug. 2019 Despite that passing similarity, the path to radicalisation seems different. — The Economist, "America grapples with a lethal mix of terrorism and lax gun laws," 8 Aug. 2019 Police academy training, especially back then, had similarities to military boot camp. — Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Meet Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl. He's the Elder grad and former Cincinnati Police Department official now in the national spotlight.," 6 Aug. 2019 Myles, who worked on the report with Carlisle, had raised the alarm last year after spotting suspicious similarities in the raw data for control and patient groups in five of Schietroma’s papers. — David Adam, Scientific American, "How a Data Detective Exposed Suspicious Medical Trials," 6 Aug. 2019 The similarities between Paradise before the 2018 Camp fire and present-day Issaquah — a bustling suburban city of 39,000 less than half an hour from Seattle’s downtown — are noticeable. — Tom James, The Seattle Times, "U.S. Northwest towns ‘woefully unprepared’ as fire risk grows," 5 Aug. 2019 The scenes bare similarities to the current situation in Hong Kong, where the police have used tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to quell pro-democracy demonstrators. — Fox News, "China releases dramatic army propaganda video in wake of Hong Kong protests with 'anti-riot' drills," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'similarity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of similarity

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for similarity

similarity

noun
How to pronounce similarity (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of similarity

: a quality that makes one person or thing like another

See the full definition for similarity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

similarity

noun
sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty | \ ˌsi-mə-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce similarity (audio) \
plural similarities

Kids Definition of similarity

: the quality or state of being alike in some way or ways There is a similarity in looks between the children.

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