analogy

1
as in metaphor
a way of describing or explaining one thing by means of describing another with which it shares certain points or qualities The teacher used the analogy of a common pipeline to explain bandwidth on the Internet.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in equivalent
resemblance in certain points or qualities between two or more otherwise unlike things The study made note of analogies between human and ape social behavior.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word analogy distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of analogy are likeness, resemblance, similarity, and similitude. While all these words mean "agreement or correspondence in details," analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

How do likeness and similarity relate to one another, in the sense of analogy?

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

When might resemblance be a better fit than analogy?

In some situations, the words resemblance and analogy are roughly equivalent. However, resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

When is similitude a more appropriate choice than analogy?

While in some cases nearly identical to analogy, similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

Example 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 analogy The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is stopping a successful flu vaccination campaign that juxtaposed images of wild animals, such as a lion, with cute counterparts, like a kitten, as an analogy for how immunization can help tame the flu. Will Stone, NPR, 19 Feb. 2025 Whatever the analogy, being at Westminster was a triumph for Guster the rescue pug. Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025 Use simple analogies and relatable examples, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025 Forgive one more analogy to music: Wagner has some of this power, too (in fact, a lot of it). Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for analogy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analogy
Noun
  • With his calm demeanor and distinctive baritone, Biggie exhibited a rare talent for painting pictures with his bars, delivering a complex rhyme scheme of double entendres and metaphors that has kept him on the Mount Rushmore of rap for any true connoisseur of the genre.
    Shirley Halperin for The Hollywood Reporter, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The island locale is integral to the collection, acting as a metaphor for luxury, isolation, and indulgence.
    Shivani Vora, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The company’s brief never offers any reason to conclude that the Tax Court’s weighing of similarities against differences was clearly erroneous.
    Ryan Finley, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Maintain a bit of similarity by sticking to a singular color (or palette), finish, or material, then play with scale, shape, and thickness of the frame.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Research shows that Black women are 50% less likely to be diagnosed with the condition than their white counterparts.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The Institute’s Democratic counterpart, the National Democratic Institute, faces a similar challenge.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Analogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analogy. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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