The semantic term for a word that sounds similar to another word is "homophone." Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings, and they may or may not be spelled the same. A classic example is "bare" (to be without covering) and "bear" (the animal). Homophones can often lead to confusion and wordplay in language, especially in poetry and puns. Understanding homophones is essential for mastering language nuances, enhancing both written and spoken communication. Their unique properties make them interesting features in linguistics and phonetics.