How are a mesa and a butte alike?

The differences between a butte and a mesa is that a butte, generally, is a hill with a flattened top while the mesa is considered to be a mountain with a flattened top. This distinction between buttes and mesas is determinant on size of the structure, which is what causes them to be a confusing distinction. A butte is often times the remnant of a mesa that has been worn down over the years.