affinity	closeness, feeling that different things/people have much in common
akin	similar in spirit/feel
analogy	see similarities that help us understand something
corresponds	is equal to/ matches
to equate	consider as the same
a tantamount (to)	the equivalent of
interchangeable	so similar that they can be exchanged one for the other
indistinguishable	so similar you cannot see the difference
diverse	used of different types of something
disparate	used of different types within a group, but emphasises separation and difference
dissimilar	unlike, different (used mosty with 'not')
divergent	contrasting opinions or ideas
distinct	used to describe differences where one could be deceived by similarities
discrete	different and separate, not overlapping