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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective familiar contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of familiar are common, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When would common be a good substitute for familiar?

The words common and familiar can be used in similar contexts, but common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

Where would ordinary be a reasonable alternative to familiar?

The words ordinary and familiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When could plain be used to replace familiar?

While the synonyms plain and familiar are close in meaning, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When is popular a more appropriate choice than familiar?

In some situations, the words popular and familiar are roughly equivalent. However, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of familiar?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of familiar
Adjective
For a more familiar beverage option, Thai iced tea ($6.50) always hits its mark. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025 Where Charlotte’s immigrant community goes for familiar flavors. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Noun
The girl is writing a letter to her brother, and the visitation, the Kid, the Thalidomide Kid, her frightful familiar, is taunting her. Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 14 Dec. 2022 Most recently, the actor played Count Dracula in this year's Renfield opposite Nicholas Hoult's titular familiar. Clark Collis, EW.com, 17 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for familiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • And Tanner Scott, a $72 million reigning All-Star closer, has blown several save opportunities.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Two years later, Carrie became acquainted with Miranda in a Bloomingdale’s dressing room.
    Hannah Malach, Footwear News, 28 May 2025
  • Broncos fans became acquainted with Perine in 2023 as the veteran running back who turned into a favorite third-down target and a two-minute weapon for Russell Wilson.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Reflective writing, another recent trend, is practically ubiquitous in medical schools and residency programs, and there is some evidence that writing may make doctors more empathetic and observant.
    Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025
  • Smart lawn mowers certainly aren't as ubiquitous as their indoor, floor-cleaning counterparts, and there are several good reasons for that.
    John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025
  • Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.
    Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There was a significant interaction between gender and audience type, suggesting that, say, female romance fans might respond differently than male friendship fans.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The world of Dropout feels a little like being a Harry Potter fan before J. K. Rowling got Twitter.
    Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Planning a craft night with friends is a fun way to destress and try something new (not to mention a way to shake up routine happy hours or game nights!).
    Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
  • Performing in front of small crowds that sometimes only consisted of family and friends was common for Owens but was balanced by hearing his music on local radio stations like 103.5 The Beat.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The collective effect of their intimate, first-person narratives is that of a confessional, revealing the psyche of a country going through a traumatic change.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • The rapper recognized the 30th anniversary of his In A Major Way sophomore album and performed a medley of fan-favorite records in the intimate setting.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • This capability of visualizing the future allows governments and companies to better understand potential ESG outcomes, make more informed choices and avoid unnecessary costs associated with policy experiments.
    Cecilia Shen, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Prioritize safety, stay informed, and act responsibly to protect lives and property.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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