likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs How to pronounce likeness (audio)
Synonyms of likenessnext
1
: copy, portrait
2
: appearance, semblance
3
: the quality or state of being like : resemblance

Synonyms of likeness

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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
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.
Top teams are spending tens of millions of dollars to put together football rosters alone in the name, image and likeness era. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 More than a century later, Ben Ali received an overdue ovation, his bronze likeness unveiled along the boulevard in May 2008 — the month of the Kentucky Derby. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The Horned Frogs don’t have the same name, image and likeness budget as those three, but Dixon isn’t letting that dampen his expectations. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026 In Marshall, college football players sued TV networks for allegedly misappropriating their likenesses by showing them in game broadcasts without pay. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for likeness

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

Phrases Containing likeness

Rhymes for likeness

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Browse Nearby Words

liken
likeness
like new
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Cite this Entry

“Likeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likeness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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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
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