Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not alike; not similar; having a marked difference or unlikeness: Describes things, people, or concepts that are not the same in nature, quality, form, or appearance.
   • Not of the same kind; different: Indicates a fundamental distinction or contrast between entities.

Usage

The adjective "dissimilar" is used to compare two or more things, highlighting their lack of similarity. It is often followed by the preposition "to" (e.g., dissimilar to), and sometimes "from" or "with." It can describe physical attributes, characteristics, opinions, or approaches.

Examples

• Basic Comparison:
  • For twins, they are very dissimilar in personality.
  • The two paintings are completely dissimilar in style.
• With Preposition "to":
  • His political views are dissimilar to mine.
  • This model is not dissimilar to the one we saw last year.
• Describing a Group:
  • The committee is made up of people from dissimilar backgrounds.
  • They took dissimilar approaches to solving the equation.

Advanced Usage

• "not dissimilar to": A common phrase used to suggest that while there are differences, there is also a significant degree of similarity. It is often a softer, more nuanced way of saying "similar to."
  • Their proposal is not dissimilar to our own initial plan.
  • The climate here is not dissimilar to that of the northern coast.

Variants and Related Words

• Dissimilarity (noun): The state or fact of being dissimilar; a point of difference.
  • The main dissimilarity between the systems is their cost.
• Dissimilarly (adverb): In a dissimilar manner.
  • The two artists worked dissimilarly, yet both achieved great success.

Synonyms

• Different: Not the same as another or each other.
• Unlike: Not like; different from.
• Unalike: Not alike; different.
• Divergent: Tending to be different or develop in different directions.
• Distinct: Recognizably different in nature from something else.

Antonyms

• Similar: Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity.
• Alike: Similar to each other.
• Same: Identical; not different.
• Identical: Exactly alike; similar in every detail.

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of "dissimilar" is a clear absence of similarity. It is a more formal or precise term than "different" and is often used in analytical, academic, or technical contexts to emphasize contrast. The phrase "not dissimilar" is an important idiomatic usage that implies a qualified similarity rather than a stark difference.

Adjective

1. marked by dissimilarity
   • for twins they are very unlike
   • people are profoundly different
2. not alike or similar
   • as unalike as two people could be
3. not similar
   • a group of very dissimilar people
   • a pump not dissimilar to those once found on every farm
   • their understanding of the world is not so dissimilar from our own
   • took different (or dissimilar) approaches to the problem