The term 'nearly identical' can be described by four different crossword solutions: AKIN (4 letters), ALIKE (5 letters), SIMILAR (7 letters), and of the same stripe (15 letters). AKIN means 'SIMILAR in nature or character, ' while ALIKE means 'exactly SIMILAR.' SIMILAR means 'having characteristics in common, ' and of the same stripe means 'very SIMILAR in type or quality.' All of these words describe something that is almost, but not exactly, the same.