resemble
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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
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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
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have been resemblingperfect progressive
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has been resemblingperfect progressive
Past
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resembledsimple
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had resembledperfect
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was resemblingprogressive
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were resemblingprogressive
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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.
Vance has served point on these negotiations, and should the final deal even closely resemble the MOU, he’s going to hear about it.
From Slate • Jun. 19, 2026
The pans resemble a giant clothes dryer—inside, M&M’s tumble as a row of sprayers paint the candy shells with dyes like Blue 1.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
It can resemble cellulitis but spreads rapidly and requires urgent hospital treatment.
From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026
Aspects of the TV drama structurally resemble some American crime shows in that its main constant has been Robson Green’s hardened Detective Inspector Geordie Keating.
From Salon • Jun. 16, 2026
The walls themselves loomed higher than Jack could see, carved to resemble stone.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
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.
