resemble

[ ri-zem-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, re·sem·bled, re·sem·bling.

1. to be like or similar to.
2. Archaic. to liken or compare.

resemble

/ rɪˈzɛmbəl /

verb

1. tr to possess some similarity to; be like

Derived Forms

• reˈsembler, noun

Other Words From

• re·sembling·ly adverb
• prere·semble verb preresembled preresembling
• unre·sembling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of resemble¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English resemblen, from Middle French resembler, Old French, from re- re- + sembler “to seem, be like” (from Latin similāre, derivative of similis “like”; similar )

Word History and Origins

Origin of resemble¹

C14: from Old French resembler , from re- + sembler to look like, from Latin similis like

Example Sentences

It resembled the team that struggled so mightily early this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Since then, similar contests have attracted crowds of young people hoping to get a glimpse of someone who vaguely resembles Harry Styles, Dev Patel or Paul Mescal.

From BBC

The prospect of federal health policy resembling Kennedy's meddling in Samoa and Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has scientists and doctors worrying of a looming health disaster under their watch.

From Salon

It is worth saying that the names have nothing to do with the way the Moon looks - it is not going to resemble a beaver in the night sky.

From BBC

Frederick Douglass depicted his plantation in Maryland as resembling “what the baronial domains were during the Middle Ages in Europe.”

From Salon

Related Words

• feature
• mirror
• parallel
• simulate