akin

12 synonyms and 4 antonyms for akin, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

similar related parallel

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

comparable alike analogous

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

consanguine consanguineous cognate connate kindred consanguineal

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable.

“His stubbornness is akin to his father's.”

comparable similar related alike analogous parallel consanguine consanguineous cognate connate kindred consanguineal

Opposites

different dissimilar unalike

2. adj

Related by blood or descent.

“The two clans considered themselves akin, tracing descent from a common ancestor.”

Opposites

unrelated

How to use akin

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

akin to closely akin something akin to

Etymology

A fusion of the phrase "of kin," meaning "related by family," which gradually contracted into the single word "akin."

Full origin of akin →

Frequently asked questions

What does “akin” mean?

The word “akin” means similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable. In plain terms, similar to something else, or related to it by family — almost always used with "to.".

How do you pronounce “akin”?

“Akin” is pronounced uh-KIHN (/ʌˈkɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “akin” in a sentence?

Here is “akin” used in a sentence: “His stubbornness is akin to his father's.”

What is another word for “akin”?

Words with a similar meaning to “akin” include cognate, connate and kindred.

What part of speech is “akin”?

“Akin” is an adjective.

Is “akin” a common word?

“Akin” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “akin” have?

“Akin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable.

What is the difference between "akin" and "similar"?

"Akin" and "similar" are close synonyms, but "akin" carries a slightly more formal, literary tone and is almost always followed by "to," as in "akin to a nightmare." "Similar" is more neutral and flexible in everyday speech.

Do you say "akin to" or "akin with"?

"Akin to" is the correct and standard construction. "Akin with" is not idiomatic English; the word is always paired with the preposition "to."

Can "akin" describe family relationships, not just similarity?

Yes, beyond describing things that are similar in nature or quality, "akin" can also describe people related by blood or descent, echoing its root sense of "kin."

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different similar related parallel comparable alike unrelated analogous unalike cognate connate dissimilar

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