Definition of ANALOGIES (original) (raw)
1
a
: a comparison of two otherwise unlike things based on resemblance of a particular aspect
b
: resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike : similarity
2
: inference that if two or more things agree with one another in some respects they will probably agree in others
3
: correspondence between the members of pairs or sets of linguistic forms that serves as a basis for the creation of another form
4
evolutionary biology : correspondence or similarity in form or function between parts (such as the wings of birds and insects) of unrelated or distantly related species that is the result of [convergent evolution](/dictionary/convergent evolution) compare homology, homoplasy
Did you know?
In its most common use, analogy has to do with comparison of things based on those things being alike in some way. For example, one can make or draw an analogy between the seasons of the year and the stages of life. People also reason by way of analogy, asserting, for example, that abandoning a project is like leaving a house partway built. Although an analogy can be summarized quickly, as in these examples, an analogy actually encompasses the comparison or inference itself, and is therefore different from figures of speech, like metaphors and similes, which are forms of expression.
Some tests ask you to identify analogies, finding the second of a pair that has the same relationship as a completed pair. Analogy tests often look like this:
ice : cold :: steel : ____
a. hard b. loud c. fresh d. small
Because the relationship between ice and cold is that coldness is a quality of ice, the word that goes with steel is hard, since hardness is a quality of steel.
The word analogy (which comes from analogous) traces back by way of Latin to a Greek word meaning "proportionate." That word has a root in the Greek word logos, meaning "reason."
Choose the Right Synonym for analogy
a remarkable likeness to his late father
some similarity between the two cases
resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.
statements that bear little resemblance to the truth
similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.
two schools of social thought showing points of similitude
analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.
pointed out analogies to past wars
Examples of analogy in a Sentence
He does, though, suffer from the occupational deformation of international relations specialists: an enthusiasm for ransacking the past in search of precedents, analogies, patterns, and cycles that might explain the present and forecast the future. —
Tony Judt, New York Book Review, 10 Apr. 2003 People who do this call themselves "white-hat" hackers—good people who show other people their vulnerabilities. Take the following analogy: I've designed a great new lock pick, and I'm going to give this great new gadget away to show everyone that the typical door lock is ineffective against my new pick. —John C. Dvorak, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2000 It has often been said that movie stars are the royalty of America. (The better analogy, really, is that the royals are the movie stars of Britain.) —Neal Gabler, Life: The Movie, 1998 Parts of the far-infrared sky look like colonies of spiders gone mad. The fine structure seen there is called cirrus, by analogy with filamentary clouds on Earth. —Virginia Trimble et al., Sky & Telescope, January 1995
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These men are not so different, even if Shrinking has to pretzel its characters into unrecognizable versions of themselves to insist upon this analogy. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024 To pick up on the aviation analogy, data centers will soon be regarded like airports—an essential service that keeps the economy moving. —Andrew Schaap, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Tashi delivers an insightful analogy between tennis and human connection. —Robert Lang, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2024 This analogy highlights the system's ability to enhance natural movement without overpowering it, making mobility more accessible and appealing to a wider range of users. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for analogy 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English analogie, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin analogia "ratio, proportion, correspondence in the inflection and derivation of words, the use of this correspondence in word derivation," borrowed from Greek analogía "proportion, relation, correspondence in the inflection and derivation of words," from análogos "proportionate, conformable, analogous" + -ia -y entry 2
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of analogy was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near analogy
Cite this Entry
“Analogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analogy. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 29 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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