completely dissimilar to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely dissimilar to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that two or more things are entirely different from each other. Example: "The two paintings are completely dissimilar to one another in style and technique."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Maybe we find his DNA is completely dissimilar to any known DNA, he comes from Mars, well, perfect, O.K". "Then," he said, "I stop".

The New York Times

It's not completely dissimilar to that other UK video startup Quick.TV, but the latter focuses on publishers, not agencies.

TechCrunch

Keep in mind the real estate business was completely dissimilar to the other three businesses.

Huffington Post

In cultured astrocytes, taurine release was completely dissimilar to the release in vivo: it was absolutely insensitive to isoosmotic decreases in [NaCl]e, and was strongly potentiated by H2O2 in swollen cells.

Plosone

Additionally, transcription factors (TFs) can often bind sequences completely dissimilar to their canonical TFBS motif and some TFBSs can be lineage-specific, thereby confounding comparative evolutionary discovery [2].

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The shell is not entirely dissimilar to the hawk.

The Guardian - Books

In that regard, Winston isn't entirely dissimilar to former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel.

Huffington Post

My son's new Little Golden Book book is not entirely dissimilar to a Dostoyevsky novel.

Huffington Post

It wasn't entirely dissimilar to going to the store to buy beer.

Vice

Even so, the K&G campaign is meant to be "completely dissimilar," he says, by using "the department store as the villain," whereas the message of the Daffy's ads was "Don't be an idiot" by buying apparel at full price.

The New York Times

Climatic dissimilarity was calculated as 1- climatic overlap and expressed as a percentage, so that 0% corresponds to population pairs with the same climate, and 100% to the populations occupying completely dissimilar climates.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely dissimilar to" to emphasize a significant difference between two or more things, ensuring the context clarifies what aspects are being compared. For example, "His management style is completely dissimilar to hers."

Common error

While "completely dissimilar to" is valid, avoid excessive use of intensifiers like "completely", "totally", or "entirely" in close proximity, as this can weaken your writing. Consider using a more descriptive adjective instead to convey the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely dissimilar to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes the degree to which one thing lacks similarity to another. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to emphasize a profound difference. The word completely acts as an intensifier, strengthening the meaning of dissimilar.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely dissimilar to" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, primarily serving to emphasize a significant lack of similarity between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its usage in diverse contexts, particularly within scientific and news-related domains. While not exceedingly common, its precise nature lends itself well to formal and neutral registers. When employing this phrase, writers should consider the context and ensure it appropriately conveys a strong contrast, while also being mindful of overusing intensifiers. Related alternatives, such as "entirely different from" or "totally unlike", can provide stylistic variations while maintaining semantic closeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely different from

Emphasizes a total lack of similarity between two things.

totally unlike

Highlights the absence of resemblance or shared characteristics.

distinct from

Focuses on the clear separation and individuality of two items.

in no way similar to

A formal way to express the absence of any similarity.

bears no resemblance to

Stresses the complete absence of visual or superficial similarity.

nothing like

An informal way to express a lack of similarity.

poles apart from

Emphasizes extreme divergence or opposition.

as different as night and day from

Highlights a stark contrast and fundamental dissimilarity.

unrelated to

Indicates a lack of connection or association.

a world apart from

Suggests a vast difference in character, experience, or circumstance.

FAQs

How can I use "completely dissimilar to" in a sentence?

Use "completely dissimilar to" to highlight that two things have almost nothing in common. For example, "The climate here is "completely dissimilar to" what I'm used to."

What's a more concise way to say "completely dissimilar to"?

Alternatives include "entirely different" or "totally unlike", which can be used when the emphasis on "completely" is not necessary.

Is it redundant to say "completely dissimilar"?

While "dissimilar" already implies a difference, using "completely" emphasizes the extent of that difference, making it a valid choice when strong emphasis is desired.

What is the difference between "completely dissimilar to" and "somewhat dissimilar to"?

"Completely dissimilar to" suggests almost no resemblance, while "somewhat dissimilar to" implies there are differences but also some similarities.