Selfsame

/ˈsɛlfseɪm/

Synonyms for "selfsame" (53 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (11)

Adjective(1 words)
actual thingalikeall oneall the samecarbon copyconsubstantialcopydead ringerdittodoppelganger

Strong matches (16)

Related words (26)

identical sameindistinguishablejust alikelikeno othernone otheronereplicasamespit and imagespitting imagesynonymtantamountthe samethe same differencetwinundifferentveryvery imagevery same
Show 2 more words
without differencewithout distinction
Adjective(4 words)
one and the samesamethe very samevery

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: identical, actual thing, alike, all one, all the same.
  • Sentence evidence is available for selfsame, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.

Synonym selection checklist

  • Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
  • Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
  • Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "selfsame".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "selfsame"

Keep "selfsame" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.

If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.

Replacement workflow

1. Preserve meaning

Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "selfsame" intact in the sentence you are editing.

2. Tune tone

Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.

3. Re-read context

Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.

Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.

Final fit check

After choosing a replacement for "selfsame", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.

If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "selfsame" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

2 entries
emphatic identityidentical

More specific

4 entries
selfsame dayselfsame itemselfsame momentselfsame occasion

Collocations

6 entries
one and the sameselfsame dayselfsame issueselfsame manuscriptselfsame momentthe selfsame

Derivations

1 entries

similar

1 entries

Sample sentences

12 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

In the selfsame day Noe, and Sem, and Cham, and Japheth, his sons: his wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, went into the ark.

Source: tatoeba (7968245)

In the selfsame day Noah, and Sem, and Cham, and Japheth his sons: his wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, went into the ark.

Source: tatoeba (7968317)

For both of you are Birds of ſelfe-ſame Feather.

Source: wiktionary

In my ſchoole dayes, vvhen I had loſt one ſhaft [i.e., arrow], / I ſhot his fellovv of the ſelfe-ſame flight / The ſelfe-ſame vvay, vvith more aduiſed vvatch / To finde the other foorth, and by aduentring both, / I oft found both. I vrge this child-hoode proofe, / Becauſe vvhat follovves, is pure innocence.

Source: wiktionary

Showing 4 of 12 available sentences.

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "selfsame"?

Closest matches include identical, actual thing, alike, all one, all the same.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "selfsame"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "selfsame"