similarly
SIHM-uh-luh-lee
Similarly (adverb) means In a like manner; in much the same way. Example: “The second experiment was set up similarly to the first.”
adverb
1
In a like manner; in much the same way.
"The sisters dressed similarly."
"The second experiment was set up similarly to the first."
"The twins dress similarly, so visitors often confuse them at first."
"Bees and wasps behave similarly when their nest is disturbed."
2
Used to introduce a comparable point.
"Similarly, sales in Europe also fell last quarter."
"Cats need regular check-ups. Similarly, dogs should see a vet every year."
"Similarly, the northern branch reported fewer customers during the holiday week."
How to use similarly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn the same or a comparable way — often used to connect a similar point to what came before.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
similarly, ...
behave similarly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more similarly
- Superlative
- most similarly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The second experiment was set up _____ to the first.
Synonyms
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comparably
correspondingly
analogously
in the same way
by the same token
agreeably
alike
equivalently
in kind
likewise
otherways
reciprocally
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for similarly
See all rhymes for similarly →Frequently asked questions
What does “similarly” mean?
The word “similarly” means in a like manner; in much the same way. In plain terms, in the same or a comparable way — often used to connect a similar point to what came before.
How do you pronounce “similarly”?
“Similarly” is pronounced SIHM-uh-luh-lee (/ˈsɪmə.lɚ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “similarly” in a sentence?
Here is “similarly” used in a sentence: “The second experiment was set up similarly to the first.”
What is another word for “similarly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “similarly” include agreeably, alike, equivalently, in kind, likewise and otherways.
What is the opposite of “similarly”?
The opposite of “similarly” — its antonyms — are contrarily, differently and dissimilarly.
What part of speech is “similarly”?
“Similarly” is an adverb.
Is “similarly” a common word?
“Similarly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “similarly” have?
“Similarly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a like manner; in much the same way.
What is the difference between 'similarly' and 'likewise'?
Both introduce a comparable point, but 'similarly' stresses that the manner or way something happens is alike, while 'likewise' more often signals that the same action or attitude applies. In many sentences they are interchangeable, though 'likewise' can also stand alone as a reply meaning 'the same to you'.
How do you punctuate 'similarly' at the start of a sentence?
When 'similarly' opens a sentence to connect it to a previous idea, it is usually followed by a comma, as in 'Similarly, the second experiment failed.' It functions as a transitional adverb linking two comparable statements.
Is 'similarly' formal or informal?
'Similarly' leans formal and is common in academic, technical, and professional writing where you draw parallels between points. In casual speech people more often say 'in the same way' or 'the same goes for'.
Can 'similarly' and 'equally' be used the same way?
Not always. 'Similarly' points out that two things happen in a like manner, while 'equally' stresses that they happen to the same degree. 'Similarly important' and 'equally important' differ: the first compares the manner, the second the amount.
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