barely resembling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely resembling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a very slight similarity to something else, often implying that the resemblance is minimal or insignificant. Example: "The painting was so abstract that it was barely resembling the original landscape it was meant to depict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Much of the food seems hyper-designed, almost sculptural, barely resembling the simple list of ingredients that constitute menu descriptions.

The New York Times - Food

There is a growing volume of counterfeit products deluging the market, barely resembling the gowns brides thought they were purchasing online.

The Guardian

The work takes a toll on his spirits, never more so than when after weeks of dives, he encounters what has essentially become a grave site, barely resembling what was once a fertile haven.

The New York Times

The art is passable, the characters (barely) resembling themselves enough that you can tell who everyone is and such, although having the leads resemble themselves a bit more would have been appreciated.

The Guardian

Mr. Yazdi has white hair now, a white beard, and a face softened by time, barely resembling the tight, stern young man who strode beside Ayatollah Khomeini in the early days of the revolution.

The New York Times

Suspended coach Guillermo Amor needn't have worried how his defending champions would fare without him on the sidelines, as the Reds attacked with venom in and end-to-end start barely resembling its top-versus-bottom billing.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's a way to experience Facebook so novel that it barely resembles Facebook at all.

The New Yorker

When he did play, he barely resembled the All-Star player he had been for Tampa Bay.

The New York Times - Sports

Near the end of his career, Kearse barely resembled the guy once known as the Freak.

The New York Times - Magazine

In fact, the mix of species living in the courtyard today barely resembles those early landscaping plans.

Yale University

He barely resembles the handsome, smiling boy depicted in the 1942 programs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely resembling", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject is being compared to, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "barely resembling" when there is no discernible similarity. The phrase implies at least a faint connection, so choose a stronger expression of dissimilarity if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely resembling" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating a minimal degree of similarity between two subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and effectively communicates a weak connection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely resembling" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a minimal degree of similarity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its role as a descriptive modifier that downplays resemblance. While not highly frequent, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and that the context supports the implication of a slight, often superficial, similarity. Alternatives like "hardly similar to" or "remotely alike" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly similar to

Replaces "barely" with "hardly" emphasizing a lack of similarity.

remotely alike

Uses "remotely" to indicate a distant or slight similarity.

bears little resemblance to

Emphasizes the lack of significant similarity.

scarcely analogous to

Uses "scarcely" and "analogous" for a more formal tone emphasizing a weak comparison.

faintly reminiscent of

Focuses on a slight echoing or suggestion of something similar.

tangentially related to

Indicates a connection that is indirect or peripheral.

vaguely suggestive of

Emphasizes an indistinct and imprecise similarity.

shadow of its former self

Implies a significant decline from a previous state, bearing minimal resemblance to its past.

a far cry from

Highlights a stark contrast, implying minimal resemblance due to significant differences.

distantly connected to

Indicates a tenuous relationship with limited similarity.

FAQs

How to use "barely resembling" in a sentence?

Use "barely resembling" to describe something that has a very slight similarity to something else. For example, "The food was so processed it was "barely resembling" real ingredients."

What can I say instead of "barely resembling"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly similar to", "remotely alike", or "bears little resemblance to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "barely resembling" or "not resembling"?

"Barely resembling" implies a minimal similarity, while "not resembling" indicates no similarity at all. The choice depends on the degree of likeness you want to convey.

What's the difference between "barely resembling" and "closely resembling"?

"Barely resembling" indicates a very weak similarity, whereas "closely resembling" suggests a strong similarity. They are near opposites in meaning.