similarly

similarly — adverb

1. In a manner that is like something else — used to describe an action, process, o

1.adverbB1
Definition

In a manner that is like something else — used to describe an action, process, or situation that matches or parallels another one that has already been mentioned or observed.

Example

Linh prepared for the exam similarly to her classmates, studying every evening.

similarly to + noun phrase pattern

The new oven works similarly to the old one but heats up much faster.

adverb modifying verb: works similarly

Common collocations
  • similarly to
  • similarly in
  • similarly structured
  • similarly dressed
  • similarly affected
  • similarly situated
  • very similarly
  • quite similarly
Synonyms
  • likewise

    More formal; often starts a sentence to connect two comparable statements.

  • correspondingly

    More academic; emphasises a logical or matching relationship between two things.

  • in the same way

    Conversational and less formal; more natural in everyday speech.

Antonyms
  • differently

    Direct opposite — doing something in a way that is not alike.

  • conversely

    Used to introduce an opposite or contrasting point.

Grammar Patterns

similarly to + noun/noun phrase

similarly + verb phrase

[clause]. Similarly, [clause]

Usage Note

As a sentence adverb placed at the start of a clause, 'similarly' signals that the new information parallels something just stated. When used with the preposition 'to', it introduces the item being compared.

Common Mistakes

The two devices operate similar.
The two devices operate similarly.
Use the adverb 'similarly' to modify verbs; 'similar' is an adjective for nouns.
Similary, the second group achieved good results.
Similarly, the second group achieved good results.
'Similarly' has two 'i's, not one.
Similarly like the first model, this one is durable.
Similarly to the first model, this one is durable.
Use 'similarly to', not 'similarly like'.

Word family

  • similar
    adjectiveA2
  • similarity
    nounB1
  • dissimilar
    adjectiveC1
  • dissimilarity
    nounC1
  • simile
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three expressions indicate that one thing is like another, but they differ in register and positioning. 'Similarly' is the most neutral and versatile — it can sit mid-sentence ('act similarly') or at the start of a clause. 'Likewise' carries a slightly formal tone and seldom appears mid-sentence; it works best as a sentence opener ('Likewise, the second group improved'). 'Correspondingly' is the most academic, suggesting a one-to-one logical match ('Sales rose; correspondingly, profits increased'). 'In the same way' is the most conversational and often appears at the end of a clause ('He solved it in the same way'). Use 'similarly' for everyday comparisons, 'likewise' for formal parallel statements, and 'in the same way' for casual speech.

likewise ↗correspondinglyin the same way

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • very similarly
  • quite similarly
  • somewhat similarly
  • fairly similarly

Phrases

  • similarly to + noun
  • similarly situated
  • similarly affected

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanLatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in English from 'similar' (adjective) + the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'Similar' traces back through Middle French 'similaire' to Latin 'similis', meaning 'like, resembling, of the same kind'. The Latin root 'similis' comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*sem-', meaning 'together, one, same' — also the source of 'same', 'seem', and 'simple'.