What does dissimilarly mean?
"Dissimilarly" is a formal English adverb meaning "in a manner that is not similar"—that is, in a way marked by unlikeness or difference. It is derived from the adjective "dissimilar," which combines the prefix "dis-" with "similar," ultimately tracing back to the Latin "similis," meaning "like" or "alike." The word appears most often in comparative, academic, or analytical writing, where it signals that two subjects under discussion behaved, developed, or were treated in contrasting ways: for example, "the two economies recovered dissimilarly after the recession." Because it is comparatively rare and somewhat heavy in register, everyday speech usually favors simpler alternatives such as "differently." Nevertheless, "dissimilarly" fills a precise niche: unlike "differently," which can describe any kind of variation, it explicitly frames the contrast as a lack of similarity between two particular things. Its noun counterpart is "dissimilarity," denoting the state or quality of being unlike.
adverbIn a manner that is not similar; unlike each other or something else.
- In a way that is not similar; in a manner marked by unlikeness or difference.
"The two sisters responded dissimilarly to the news—one with delight, the other with dismay."
"The twins dressed alike but thought dissimilarly on almost every issue."
"Regions that received the same funding developed dissimilarly over the following decade."
Built from Latin 'similis' (like) with two negative-flavored prefixes stacked on top—'dis-' plus the 'il-' of dissimilar—it's a word whose very spelling insists on difference.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dissimilarly
"Dissimilarly" derives from the adjective "dissimilar," formed by adding the negative prefix "dis-" to "similar," which comes from the Latin "similis" (like, resembling). The adverbial suffix "-ly" was added to produce the current form. The root "similis" also underlies words such as "assimilate," "simulate," and "verisimilar," all of which entered English via Latin or French. The word's development follows the standard pattern of Latinate adjectives acquiring adverbial forms in English.
Related word forms
How dissimilarly is actually used
Formal and relatively rare in everyday speech; in most contexts speakers prefer "differently" or "in different ways." Best suited to academic, comparative, or analytical prose where the emphasis is on unlikeness between two specific things being compared.
Easily confused with dissimilarly
"Dissimilar" is an adjective describing things that are unlike, while "dissimilarly" is the adverb describing how an action is done in an unlike manner.
"Similarly" means in a like manner, whereas "dissimilarly" means in an unlike manner—they are near-opposites.