resemble
Americanverb (used with object)
-
resembles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
resembled,
past participle, past
-
resembling
present participle
-
to be like or similar to.
-
Archaic. to liken or compare.
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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resemblesimple
-
resemblessimple
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have resembledperfect
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has resembledperfect
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am resemblingprogressive
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are resemblingprogressive
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is resemblingprogressive
-
have been resemblingperfect progressive
-
has been resemblingperfect progressive
Past
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resembledsimple
-
had resembledperfect
-
was resemblingprogressive
-
were resemblingprogressive
-
had been resemblingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of resemble
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”; see similar)
Explanation
Have you noticed that many pet owners resemble their pets? Or is it that pets resemble their owners? Either way, it’s downright strange how they often look alike. Derived from the old French word sembler, “to appear,” the verb resemble can imply a whole spectrum of likeness. For example, you might closely resemble your schnauzer or, hopefully, only vaguely resemble each other. It’s not just about appearance, either. This concept can include all kinds of characteristics. Two companies can resemble each other and the same could be said of two philosophies.
Vocabulary lists containing resemble
List 2
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"The Ravine," Vocabulary from the short story
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Holes
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Many of Iraola's attacking principles resemble those of one of his long-time managerial inspirations, the former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
The structures repeatedly develop swirling motions that resemble ocean waves as they begin to break.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026
The Mariners hoped that when he returned, he’d resemble the 2025 version of Raleigh—or at the very least, the 2024 version.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The interview, filmed in a Philadelphia studio dressed up to resemble a seedy motel in a wink at the laptop scandal, quickly became a viral sensation, generating millions of views.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
If not for the alertness in his ocean-blue eyes, he would resemble, more than anything, a scarecrow that had come down from its stake.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
If Westeros were a meritocracy, she would be queen, or at least be given Highgarden, where she could marry a Tyrell and give birth to Diana Rigg, whose Olenna Tyrell she so much resembles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Leroy Taylor, 52, resembles “Tiger Woods’ daddy,” as a friend always jokes.
From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026
A fictional game that somewhat resembles Parcheesi but with more strategic elements, Seven is played on a spiral board that is traditionally carved on a circular wooden box.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
The concept loosely resembles the way molten rock travels through cracks in Earth's crust before contributing to volcanic eruptions.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
He lifts this thing off his ear that resembles the wireless earbuds, and his holographic glasses disappear.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
As the zebrafish grew older, they developed spinal abnormalities that closely resembled disc disease in people.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026
The S&P 500 has recently resembled the way it looked five years ago, when investors started to play it safer, according to Morgan Stanley.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
In some samples, the collected particles resembled sparkling fragments of cosmic material.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026
When they returned on Tuesday, they saw "a white van with an individual who resembled the target" and initiated the traffic stop.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
It resembled her old body, but the proportions were slightly different.
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
The judge later told them he "rejected the contention" that the teenagers had shown "anything resembling remorse".
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
But the longer we spend time at Arioka, the more that paradise starts resembling a prison.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Many in the industry, though, have been skeptical that the circuit could be kept together in anything resembling its current form given the exorbitant costs and tepid fan interest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
The distant ancestor described by the researchers was a small creature with a body resembling a worm.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
He looked around the room, hoping to find a flashlight or anything resembling camping equipment.
From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
