Give example of synonyms word

I. Synonyms and
synonymic sets

Synonyms are usually defined as words similar in meaning; as words
that express the same idea but it is wrong to say that synonyms are
identical in meaning since the range of the idea they express may be
very wide. In comparing synonyms we are mostly interested in their
difference than in their similarity, although the latter is also of
importance.

English is very rich in synonyms. There are about
8000 synonymic groups in English. A group of synonyms is called a
synonymic set, e.g. famous, celebrated,
renowned, illustrious may make a
synonymic set.

A polysemantic word may enter as many synonymic groups as it has
lexical semantic variants, e.g. the word “fresh” goes into 5
synonymic sets:

Fresh – original – novel – striking – up-to-date

Fresh – another – different – new

Fresh – invigorating – pure

Fresh – inexperienced – green- raw

Fresh – impertinent – rude

Each synonymic set has a word, which expresses the
most general idea and holds a commanding position over other words –
it is called the synonymic dominant. For instance in the series to
leave – to depart – to quit – to retire – to clear out
the word “to leave” is general and neutral and can stand for each
of the other four terms being the synonymic dominant of this group.
Thus the synonymic dominant is the most general word belonging to the
general stock of words stylistically neutral, of greater frequency
and of widest colloqability.

Synonyms are grouped according to their similarity
in their meaning and are contrasted within a group on a principle of
dissimilation, e.g. weak, feeble,
powerless.

In traditional linguistics synonyms are defined on basis of the
notional criteria; according to it synonyms are words of the same
category of parts of speech conveying the same notion but differing
either in shades of meaning or in stylistic characteristics. This
definition was given by Russian academician Vinogradov.

The definition of synonyms based on the semantic criteria runs as
follows: “Lexical synonyms are different words of the same part of
speech (having the same grammatical distribution) which have some
common denotational components in their semantic structure but differ
either in some denotational components and/or in some connotational
components and thus usually have different lexical colloqability.”
This definition was given by Pr. Elena Borisovna Cherkasskaya.

In modern research of synonyms the criteria of interchangeability is
sometimes applied. According to this, synonyms are defined as words,
which are interchangeable at least in some context without any
considerable alteration in denotational meaning. The application of
these criteria is limited due to the differences in the semantic
components of meanings of synonyms leading to the differences in
their colloqability.

In fact all the definitions of synonyms are opened criticism and
further perfection.

1. Functions of synonyms in speech

Synonyms have 3 main functions in speech:

• The function of substitution in order to avoid repetition and
  monotony

• The function of précising in meaning in order to reach a greater
  accuracy and avoid vagueness.

• The expressive stylistic function, e.g.
  clean (free from dirt) – neat (clean and tidy) – trim (in good
  order, neat and spruce) – spruce (neat, trim and smart)

1. Types of synonyms

According to the classification of synonyms developed by academician
Vinogradov, there are 3 types of synonyms:

• Idiographic synonyms. He describes idiographic
  synonyms as words conveying the same notion but differing in
  meaning. Idiographic synonyms refer to the same general concept but
  they differ sometimes in the denotational meaning, e.g.
  a look (a conscious and direct in devour to see) – a glance (a
  look, which is quick and sudden) – a glimpse (a look implying
  only momentary sights). These
  idiographic synonyms differ in quickness of the action and the time
  of duration.

• Stylistic synonyms are words of the same
  denotational meaning used in different speech styles. They have the
  same denotational components but differ in stylistic components of
  their semantic structure, e.g.
  enemy/farter (neutral) – foe/sire (poetical) – adversary/parent
  (bookish) – opponent (official) / Dad (coloq.).

• Absolute synonyms in English are words of
  exactly the same meaning, words identical in meanings, e.g.
  fricatives and spirants; fatherland and motherland.
  Absolute synonyms are very rare. According to F.R. Palmer it would
  seem unlikely, “that two words with exactly the same meaning
  would both survive in a language”.

1. Sources of synonyms in English

The following points are usually considered as sources of synonyms:

• Borrowings.

Borrowings from French, Latin and Greek are the
most numerous ones in English. They often express an idea or name a
thing for which they already exist in a native word. That’s how
synonyms appear in the vocabulary. In most cases the native word is
more ordinary tan its foreign counterpart, e.g.
to buy – to purchase, brotherly – fraternal, world – universe.

But there exit plenty of cases of all borrowings
having become thoroughly assimilated. Some of them even express the
most general idea in synonymic sets and serve as synonymic dominants:
valley – dale, piece – lump/cake, to
decide – to settle, action – did…

There are examples of triplets: one native – one
from French – one directly from Latin, e.g.
ask–question-interrogate; teaching-guidance-instruction; to
gather-to assemble-to collect; kingly-royal-regal.

• Dialectisms.

Dialectisms are words from local dialects, which
have entered the English vocabulary as regular words creating
synonyms to the words of Standard English, e.g. Scotch
synonyms: lass – girl, bonny – pretty, daft –
crazy/foolish/wild.

• Word-building processes.

Word-building processes, which are at work in the English Language,
create synonyms to words already in use. The following cases are to
be considered here:

• composite or phrasal verbs (составные
  глаголы), e.g.
  to choose – to pick out; to abandon – to give up; to enter –
  to come in; to descend – to go down; to ascend – to go up;

• compounding which comprises composition and
  conversion working simultaneously,
  e.g. fight-back – resistance; precipitation – fall-out;
  conscription – a call up;

• conversion, e.g.
  to verbalize – to word; laughter – a laugh; to moisten – to
  wet;

• shortening, e.g.
  microphone – mike; popular – pop; examinations – exams;

• affixation or loss of affixes, e.g.
  anxiety – anxiousness; affectivity – affectiveness; amongst –
  among; await – wait;

• set expressions,
  e.g.
  to laugh – to give a laugh; to walk – to take a walk;

In this connection the problem of synonyms and lexical variants
arises: should these cases be regarded as synonyms or lexical
variants.

1. Euphemisms as a specific type of synonyms

Euphemism is a Greek word (EU means “well” and
PHEMOS means “speaking” thus “Euphemism” means speaking
well). A euphemism is a substitution of a harsh, obscene, indelicate
or otherwise unpleasant word by a less offensive word or periphrastic
expression, e.g. quieer
is a euphemism for mad;
intoxicated
is a euphemism for drunk;
in one’s birthday suit = naked.

Euphemisms are divided into 2 main groups according to the character
of words they subdtitute:

• Religious and superstitious taboos are
  words and set phrases which are avoided in speech for religious
  reasons or because of superstition,
  e.g. God – goodness, gracious, gosh; Devil – deuce, Dickens,
  Nicolas, old Nick, Darwin; to die – to pass away, to go to one’s
  last home, to go to the way of all flash, to join the majority, to
  kick the bucket;

• Social and moral taboos
  are words and idioms which are avoided in speech as not acceptable
  in the polite conversation, e.g.
  trousers – unmentionables; toilet – powder-room, retiring-room,
  wash-room, restroom, lady’s room, public comfort station, WC
  (Windsor Castle), public conveniences;
  pregnant – in an interesting/delicate
  condition; in a family way, with the baby coming, pig with child;
  drunk – intoxicated, tipsy, under the influence, mellow, fresh,
  high, merry, flustered, overcome, full, to be drunk as a lord/owl,
  boiled, fried, tanked, tight, stiff, pickled, soaked;

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Synonymy relates to the topic of semantics, which concerns the study of meaning in language. The term synonymy originates from the Greek words sún and onoma, which mean with and name.

The first sentence uses awful to describe the weather and the second uses terrible. Although both sentences use different words, they have the same meaning: bad. In other words, awful and terrible are synonyms of bad.

To test whether two words are synonyms (or synonymous), we can use a substitution method: if one word can be replaced by another without changing the meaning/sense of the sentence, the two words are synonyms. The opposite of synonymy is antonymy. Synonymy can be found across all parts of speech: in nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.

Let’s put the synonyms into a sentence and use the substitution method:

1a. You have a big house.

1b. You have a large house.

By substituting big with large, we can keep the sentence’s meaning (the description of the house) in a similar degree/sense as the original sentence.

2a. He had a difficult decision to make.

2b. He had a hard decision to make.

The same as before, the substitution of difficult with hard does not change the sentence’s meaning (the description of the decision).

Synonymy in literature

Instead of repeating the word one kind, Lee chooses its synonym: alike, to relay a similar meaning to ‘very similar’. The same thing happens in the case of stayed shut up in the house and stay inside. Using synonymy, Lee enriches the prose by avoiding repetition while keeping the meaning similar in both cases.

Wake is a synonym of watch. Here, wake means ‘to stay awake to watch or tend’ (Oxford English Dictionary). Notice the slightly richer sense of see in watch compared to wake, yet the two words carry a similar meaning. By adopting synonymy, Shakespeare enhances the quality of the words he uses.

Absolute synonyms

With absolute synonyms, the meaning and function of the synonymous words are exactly the same. If you have a pair of absolutely synonymous words, you can substitute the words in every possible context (semantic, grammatical, sociolinguistic, etc.) with its synonym. This condition is very rare because, usually, two words that refer to the same meaning/object can’t co-exist. An example of an absolute synonym is airport and aerodrome. The former is what we commonly use nowadays, whereas the latter is an old-fashioned word.

Partial synonyms

Partial synonyms, on the other hand, occur when words have very closely related meanings. The meanings are not exactly the same, only partially, but close enough to relay the same message. Partial synonyms can differ in their collocation, register, and regional/social variation.

Have a look at these examples of partial synonyms:

1. We have a big problem.	Although gigantic is synonymous with big, the word combination of gigantic problem (1c) doesn’t sound natural. This is what’s called a collocation (a pairing of words with a high level of frequency).
a. We have a large problem.
b. We have a huge problem.
c. We have a gigantic problem.

2a. The tickets can only be bought online.	Generally, buy and purchase mean ‘to obtain something by paying money for it’ (Oxford Learner’s Dictionary). However, the two words differ in their register. Buy is considered a general term, whereas purchase is often used in a more formal context.
2 B. The tickets can only be purchased online.

3a. It’s been a very chilly autumn this year.	Both autumn and fall mean ‘the season of the year between summer and winter.’ But, autumn is Commonly used in British English, while fall is used in American English. They differ in regional/social variety.
3b. It’s been a very chilly fall this year.

Important to note: Homonym is a broader term for homophone (words that sound the same but have different meanings) and homograph (words that are spelt the same but have different meanings). Synonyms have similar meanings but homonyms have different meanings.

Even though the word wing is replaced with extension, we still get the same information about ‘a new section of the hospital is currently being constructed and it is for the maternity department’. The meaning of extension isn’t exactly the same as wing , but similar.

The same explanation can also be found here. We still get the same information about where my room is: on the west side of the building.

Polysemy — multiple meanings: wing — animal parts for flying & a section of a building.

The meaning of wing in this sentence refers to ‘a section of building’ and not ‘animal parts for flying’.

Synonymy vs. Polysemy

• In synonymy, you can substitute a word with its similar meaning and the sense/meaning of the sentence doesn’t change. A is similar to B .
• Synonyms are usually used as a means of avoiding word repetition. However, be careful of the slightly different meanings of synonymous words. Always be mindful of the context and valency of the sentence.
• Polysemy isn’t about word substitution. Because a single polysemic word has many meanings (A means B and C) , it can cause ambiguity. It is often used for wordplay or for creating “hidden” meanings.

In this article, we will learn about the important “Antonyms and Synonyms” for SSC CGL and for other competitive exams. Kindly bookmark this article for future reference.

What is a Synonym?

A Synonym is a word or phrase with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or phrase. Thus, words that are similar in meaning are called “Synonyms”.  
 

Synonyms Example :

Demanded(verb): to ask for something in an extremely firm or aggressive way.
For example, “Student demanded a refund”.
Synonyms: appeal, trade

Imposed(verb): to make a law, rule, opinion, etc. be accepted by using your power or authority.
For example, “The Event organizers made it clear that the decision was ours and was not imposed by them.”     
Synonyms: enforce, decree

Enhanced(verb): to improve or make something look better.
For example, “Today’s technology is constantly trying to bring new and enhanced versions of products.”
Synonyms: augment, boost

Acrimonious (adjective): 
Meaning: angry and bitter; typically of speech or discussion.
For example, “an acrimonious dispute about wages”.
Synonyms: acrid, bitter, embittered, hard, rancorous, resentful, sore

What is an Antonym?

An antonym is a term or phrase that has the opposite meaning to another. In simple words, we can say that Antonyms are the opposite of any given word. Such words with opposite meanings are known as “Antonyms”.
 

Antonyms Example : 

Acrimonious (adjective): 
Meaning: angry and bitter; typically of speech or discussion.
For example, “an acrimonious dispute about wages”.
Antonyms: caring, forgiving, gentle, kind, loving, sweet, sympathetic, tender, warm

Decoy (verb):
Meaning: lure or entice (a person or animal) away from their intended course, typically into a trap.
For example, “He used to hum a song to decoy her”.       
Antonyms: repellent

Despotism (noun):
Meaning: exercising your absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.
For example, “the ideology of enlightened despotism”.
Antonyms: democracy, self-governance, freedom, self-determination

Chary (adjective):
Meaning: cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something.
For example, “Harleen had been chary of revealing the complete truth”.
Antonyms: careless, heedless, incautious, unguarded, unmindful.

Synonyms and Antonyms Examples 

Sr. No.	Word	Meaning	For Example	Synonyms	Antonyms
1	Berserk (adjective):	out of control with anger or excitement; wild or frenzied.	Students went berserk when they knew that their fellow mate has brought a gun in class.	agitatedly, confusedly, crazily, desperately, feverishly	calmly, collectedly, composedly, coolly
2	Vantage  (noun)	a place or position affording a good view of something.	Riyan could see across the river from his vantage point.	advantage, better, bulge	detriment, stranglehold, disparity, imbalance, inequality
3	Ostracize (verb):	exclude from a society or group.	Since he was studious and introvert, he was ostracized by his classmates.	castigate, chastise, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, admonish, chide, reprove	approve, endorse, eulogize, exalt
4	Rudimentary (adjective)	belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development.	rudimentary shelters were built by prehistoric peoples.	basic, simple, uncomplicated, backward, underdeveloped, undeveloped, unsophisticated	advanced, developed, evolved, high, higher, late
5	Bulwark (noun)	to drive danger or attack away from; a defensive wall	they vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country against attack.	model, original, originator	assail, assault, attack
6	Archetype (noun)	a prototype; an original which has been imitated.	A Library in my city is the archetype of an old-style themed Library.	model, original, originator	copy, imitation, replica, reproduction
7	Invidious (adjective)	(of an action or situation) likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others.	It is invidious to judge someone by listening to a one-sided story only	covetous, envious, green-eyed, jaundiced, jealous, resentful	generous, kind, kind-hearted, altruistic, benevolent, charitable
8	Smug (adjective)	having or showing excessive pride in oneself or one’s achievements.	Aarav was feeling smug when he learned he cleared IIT	arrogant, assumptive, bumptious, cavalier	egoless, humble, modest, uncomplacent
9	Palliate (verb)	allay or moderate (fears or suspicions).	My lawyer for this case would try to palliate, my act from the standpoint of the law	Vijay Malaya and Neerav Modi are accused of peculating Bank’s money.	aggravate, exacerbate
10	Niggardly (adjective)	ungenerous with money, time, etc.; mean.	“Rishi accused the Government of being unbelievably niggardly”.	careful, chary, conserving, economical, economizing, frugal	altruistic, selfless, unselfish, extravagant
11	Malediction (noun)	a magical word or phrase uttered with the intention of bringing about evil; a curse.	“Workers left the factory, muttering maledictions against their Supervisor.”	anathema, ban, curse, execration, imprecation	citation, commendation, endorsement
12	Legion (adjective)	great in number.	“her fans are legion”	many, multi-fold, multiple, multiplex, multitudinous, numerous	few, countable, limited
13	Gratuitous (adjective)	done without good reason; uncalled for.	“gratuitous violence”	dispensable, inessential, needless, nonessential, uncalled-for, unessential, unnecessary, unwarranted	all-important, crucial, important, vital, imperative, pressing, urgent
14	Horrendous (adjective)	extremely unpleasant, horrifying, or terrible.	“Vartika suffered horrendous injuries”.	daunting, demoralizing, disconcerting, discouraging, dismaying	calming, comforting, consoling, inviting, pacifying
15	Callous (adjective)	cheerful friendliness; geniality.	Some people make callous comments even for the last rites and funerals as well.	boorish, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, uncaring, unfriendly, unloving, unthinking	charitable, compassionate, humane, kindly, merciful.

Difference Between Synonyms and Antonyms 

Sr. No.	Antonyms	Synonyms
1	Antonyms are words with opposite meanings	Synonyms are words with similar meanings
2	Antonyms of some words are formed by adding a prefix	Synonyms cannot be formed by adding a prefix
3	For Example- Waste	For Example- Economise

Practice Questions on Synonyms:

Choose the choice that most closely matches the highlighted word.
 

1. Odious

A. Delightful
B. Friendly
C. Decorative
D. Disgusting
E. Esthetic

Answer:   D
Odious: extremely unpleasant

2. Vivacious

A. Imaginary
B. Lively
C. Lazy  
D. Timely 
E. Perceptible

Answer:   B
Vivacious: attractively lively and animated (typically used of a woman).

3. Sporadic

A. Punctual
B. Frequent
C. Scattered
D. Irrelevant
E. Continuous

Answer: C
Sporadic: occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.

4. Anticipate

A. Predict 
B. Contemplate
C. Assert
D. Neglect
E. Doubtfulness  

Answer: A
• Anticipate: regard as probable; expect or predict.

5. Persevere

A. Hesitate
B. Concede
C. Renounce
D. Persist
E. Discontinue

Answer: D
• Persevere: continue in the course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no indication of success.
• Concede: admit or agree that something is true after first denying or resisting it.
• Renounce: formally declare one’s abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession).

6. Emancipation

A. Imprisonment
B. Liberation
C. Detention
D. Constraint
E. Subjugation    

Answer: B
• Emancipation: the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; liberation.
• Detention: the action of detaining someone or the state of being detained in official custody.
• Constraint: a limitation or restriction. 
• Subjugation: the act of bringing someone or something under domination or control.

7. Beseech

A. Appeal
B. Mandate
C. Praise
D. Threaten
E. Relax

Answer: A
Beseech: ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.

8. Garrulous

A. Quarrelsome
B. Confident
C. Talkative
D. Disgusting
E. Charming

Answer: C

Garrulous: excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.

Practice Questions on Antonyms : 

Choose the choice that is opposite to the highlighted word.

1. Subservient

A. Submissive
B. Servile
C. Obedient
D. Domineering
E. Agreeable

2. Boisterous

A. Tranquil 
B. Disorderly
C. Obstreperous
D. Tumultuous
E. Unrestrained

Answer: A

• Boisterous: noisy, energetic, and cheerful.
• Tranquil: free from disturbance; calm.
• Obstreperous: noisy and difficult to control. 
• Tumultuous: making an uproar or loud, confused noise.

3. Cacophony

A. Disharmony
B. Pandemonium
C. Turbulence
D. Hullabaloo
E. Euphony  

Answer: E

• Cacophony: a harsh discordant mixture of sounds
• Disharmony: lack of harmony or agreement. 
• Pandemonium: wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
• Turbulence: a state of conflict or confusion.
• Hullabaloo: a commotion; a fuss.
• Euphony: the quality of being pleasing to the ear.

4. Insipid

A. Uninteresting
B. Exciting  
C. Spiritless
D. Unpalatable
E. Monotonous  

Answer: B

• Insipid: lacking flavour; weak or tasteless. 
• Unpalatable: not pleasant to taste.

5. Pragmatic

A. Practical
B. Sensible
C. Idealistic
D. Realistic
E. Expedient

Answer: C

• Pragmatic: dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.
• Expedient: suitable or appropriate
• Idealistic: unrealistically aiming for perfection
• Sensible: practical and functional rather than decorative.

6. Impetuous

A. Reckless
B. Hasty
C. Heedless
D. Cautious
E. Agitated

Answer: D

• Impetuous: acting or done quickly and without thought or care.
• Reckless: heedless of danger or the consequences of one’s actions; rash or impetuous. 
• Heedless: showing a reckless lack of care or attention.

7. Flippant

A. Disrespectful
B. Courteous 
C. Thoughtless
D. Strong
E. Successful

Answer: B

• Flippant: not showing a serious or respectful attitude.
• Courteous: polite, respectful, or considerate in manner. 

 FAQs on Synonyms and Antonyms :

Que 1. How to learn Synonyms and Antonyms
Answer: To learn Antonyms and Synonyms one must read new words daily and try to use these words in daily conversation. Keep revising these words and focus mainly on application.

Que 2. Is Antonyms and Synonyms are important for SSC CGL
Answer: Yes it is very important not only for SSC CGL but also for all competitive exams. One should focus on these questions. 4 -5 questions are asked in SSC CGL pre exams and in mains it plays a major role.

Que 3. What if one is not able to learn Antonyms and Synonyms so he/she afford to leave these questions in the exam?
Answer: This Question is totally subjective, who is going to ask this question? If someone is brilliant in Quant, Reasoning, GS, and English grammar and able to score 40+ marks in English only then he/she should afford to leave such questions otherwise one should focus on these questions.
 

Related Articles- 

Idioms and Phrases
Cloze Test

Definition of Synonym

Synonym means a word or phrase with the exact or nearly the same meaning. The word or term, synonym, has been borrowed from synonymum, a Latin term, which has originated from a Greek term, synonymon. It is made up of three terms, syn that means alike, onym and onoma that is a name. Therefore, it means similar names. However, it is unclear when it entered the English language from the Norman French which seems to have some equivalent terms.

Grammatically, a synonym is a noun having plural, synonyms. In literature or general language, it is a term, word, phrase, or a morpheme having similar meanings in the same or another language. There are several ways to name synonyms such as substitution, meanings, word family, connotations, denotations.

Types of Synonyms

There are four major types of synonyms.

1. Absolute synonymy: This type of synonym is interchangeable.
2. Complete synonymy: This type of synonym is equinormal.
3. Cognitive synonymy: This type of synonym is referential.
4. Plesionymy: This type of synonym is based on context.

Examples of Synonym in Literature

Example #1

From The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini

The surgery went well. We were all a little shocked when they first removed the bandages, but kept our smiles on just as Dr. Kumar had instructed us. It wasn’t easy, because Hassan’s upper lip was a grotesque mesh of swollen, raw tissue. I expected Hassan to cry with horror when the nurse handed him the mirror. Ali held his hand as Hassan took a long, thoughtful look into it. He muttered something I didn’t understand. I put my ear to his mouth. He whispered it again.

This passage occurs in the novel of Khalid Hosseini, The Kite Runner. The highlighted words could be interchanged with the synonyms such as operation, trauma, awkward, and murmured but their overall meanings would change a little bit based on the context. An erudite reader could easily deduce what type of synonym he requires to replace any of these and how it would change the context or overall meanings of the text.

Example #2

From A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy

‘Love is new, and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together. As the lover’s world goes, this is a great deal. Stephen, I fancy I see the difference between me and you––between men and women generally, perhaps. I am content to build happiness on any accidental basis that may lie near at hand; you are for making a world to suit your happiness.’

Although his short passage has everything appropriate and suitable, it seems that if these four bold words are replaced with their typical synonyms such as think, commonly, satisfied and appropriate, they would make a little difference and the conversation of Elfride Swancourt would not make the same impact as with the original words of Thomas Hardy. This means how the use of synonyms could change the overall message of the text.

Example #3

From Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

She turned her head and saw, a hand’s breadth from her eyes, those other glacial eyes, that livid face, those lips petrified with fear, just as she had seen them in the crowd at Midnight Mass the first time he was so close to her, but now, instead of the commotion of love, she felt the abyss of disenchantment. In an instant the magnitude of her own mistake was revealed to her, and she asked herself, appalled, how she could have nurtured such a chimera in her heart for so long and with so much ferocity. She just managed to think: My God, poor man! Florentino Ariza smiled, tried to say something, tried to follow her, but she erased him from her life with a wave of her hand.

This passage occurs in the phenomenal novel of Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera. This passage shows how Fermina Daza loves Ariza. The replacement of these simple and common words does not seem to impact. The reason is that this is already a translation of the novel which may not be as suitable as the new synonyms. This shows how synonyms prove significant for the text and its message.

Example #4

From The Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Great God! what a scene has just taken place! I am yet dizzy with the remembrance of it. I hardly know whether I shall have the power to detail it; yet the tale which I have recorded would be incomplete without this final and wonderful catastrophe. I entered the cabin where lay the remains of my ill-fated and admirable friend. Over him hung a form which I cannot find words to describe—gigantic in stature, yet uncouth and distorted in its proportions. As he hung over the coffin, his face was concealed by long locks of ragged hair; but one vast hand was extended, in colour and apparent texture like that of a mummy.

Just read this passage from Frankenstein and see that replacement of these three words with their appropriate synonyms would make an impact on the text as well as the message. Similarly, the replacement with antonyms will also impact the text and its message.

Example #4

From Notes From The Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Though I did lay it down at the beginning that consciousness is the greatest misfortune for man, yet I know man prizes it and would not give it up for any satisfaction. Consciousness, for instance, is infinitely superior to twice two makes four. Once you have mathematical certainty there is nothing left to do or to understand. There will be nothing left but to bottle up your five senses and plunge into contemplation. While if you stick to consciousness, even though the same result is attained, you can at least flog yourself at times, and that will, at any rate, liven you up. Reactionary as it is, corporal punishment is better than nothing.

This passage occurs in the novel of Dostoyevsky, Notes from the Underground in which the protagonist ruminates over his fate. The bolds words if replaced with their synonyms such as bad luck, thinking, and physical would not be as impactful as the original words used by the translator.

Functions of Synonym

Synonyms, though, seem equal, yet have different connotations, shades, and nuances. They convey different messages, and the audiences and readers have to make a little effort to reach the real message of the writers. They also help the writers integrate different themes and messages in a small text.

A synonym is a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in certain contexts. The adjective form is synonymous. Synonymy is the relationship that exists between words with closely related meanings. The word comes from the Greek meaning «same name.» Contrast with an antonym. A synonym for the term synonym is poecilonym.

Synonyms occur in a language in different contexts, such as formal and informal language, like you’d use in conversation vs. a business or academic paper. Also, some synonyms have slightly different connotations when they’re used, even though they might mean the same thing. For example, look at the differences between the terms for money: moolah, greenbacks, cash, currency, and revenues, which all occur in different contexts and levels of formality. Synonyms may also be nested inside one another, which is referred to as a kangaroo word.

Also, English has inherited and borrowed many words from other languages and kept some duplicates. (It’s also why some words have sound alike or don’t spell out as they sound, but those are additional topics.)

Synonyms saw a rise in the English language during the Norman conquest when the ruling class spoke Norman French and the lower classes continued to speak Old English. As a result, the Norman-originated word people exists alongside the Saxon-derived folk.

«The consequence of extensive borrowing from French, Latin, and Greek throughout the history of English is the creation of groups of synonyms occupying different registers (contexts within which they may be used): freedom and liberty; happiness and felicity; depth and profundity.»

— author Simon Horobin

«Insights into the relationships between such synonyms can be gleaned by comparing their uses in forming new words. The Old English word bird gives us a term of abuse, birdbrain, Latin avis is the source of more technical words such as aviation and aviary, while Greek ornith is the root of exclusively scientific formations, such as ornithology.»

— «How English Became English.» Oxford University Press, 2016

Can Two Words Be Truly Synonymous?

There is some debate as to whether two words can truly be synonymous. If they’re different words, they must mean something slightly different or have contexts where you’d use one or the other, the reasoning goes, which makes them only nearly synonymous but not truly the same thing.

Two words just can’t be completely interchangeable in all occurrences. When would two words have all of exactly the same meanings?

«The search for synonyms is a well-established classroom exercise, but it is as well to remember that lexemes rarely (if ever) have exactly the same meaning. … There are usually stylistic, regional, emotional, or other differences to consider. … Two lexemes might be synonymous in one sentence but different in another: range and selection are synonyms in What a nice __ of furnishings, but not in There’s the mountain __.

— David Crystal in «How Language Works.» Overlook, 2006

When a language does have two different words that mean the exact same thing, oftentimes one will stop being used, as it’s unnecessary, or it will take on a different meaning over time. And two synonyms used in different contexts, by definition, can’t be exactly the same.

At best, the theory relates, that the closest absolute synonymity can get is a technical word for something and a common name used in conversation for the same thing or dialect differences, such as between British English and American English (lorry vs. truck, boot vs. trunk.)

However, if we look at the definition of synonymous, that is, words meaning nearly the same thing rather than exactly the same thing in every situation, the theory that synonymity is impossible might just not hold up.

This aspect of English—having words that have different meanings in different contexts, as well as having doublets and triplets—is also a result of the language having inherited and borrowed so many words from different languages.

The doublets frail and fragile came to English from the same Latin root fragilis, but one came from French and one from Latin directly. The triplets real, royal, and regal came from Anglo-Norman, French, and Latin, notes Britannica.

Near-Synonyms 

Near-synonyms would be just that—words that are closely related as to just about be interchangeable but have different connotations, attitudes, or implications that you’d want to be aware of, making one word more appropriate for a context than another. Anything you can find in a thesaurus has a list of near-synonyms galore. For example, lie finds falsehood, fib, misrepresentation, and untruth, each with different nuances and shades of meaning that each can give to the context it’s used in.

It can be tricky when translating between languages, as you need to know the implications and connotations for the word in the original language and make sure you pick up those nuances in the destination language. 

The Lighter Side of Synonyms

Paul Dickson’s book «Intoxerated» claims, «The English language includes more synonyms for ‘drunk’ than for any other word.» Here are just a few of the 2,964 synonyms for drunk in his book:

• Blind
• Blitzed
• Blotto
• Bombed
• Buzzed
• Hammered
• High
• Inebriated
• Loaded
• Looped
• Merry
• Messed up
• Off the wagon
• Pickled
• Pifflicated
• Plastered
• Ripped
• Sloshed
• Smashed
• Snockered
• Soused
• Stewed
• Three sheets to the wind
• Tight
• Tipsy
• Trashed
• Wasted
• Wrecked
  —»Intoxerated: The Definitive Drinker’s Dictionary.» Melville House, 2012