Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
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Asked by: Foster Gusikowski
Score: 4.1/5
(59 votes)
A synonym is simply a word that means the same as the given word. It comes from the Greek “syn” and “onym,” which mean “together” and “name,” respectively. … A thesaurus is a general phrase that describes a type of dictionary that provides a list of words that have the same or similar meaning as the word referenced.
What is a synonym and example?
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word. … For example, the word “walk” has synonyms like “stroll,” “amble,” “saunter,” or “go.” – These words have an identical meaning to the word “walk.” Words that are similar but not identical are called near synonyms.
What does the word synonyms mean?
1 : one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses. 2a : a word or phrase that by association is held to embody something (such as a concept or quality) a tyrant whose name has become a synonym for oppression. b : metonym.
What are synonyms give 5 examples?
II. Examples of Synonyms
- Bad: awful, terrible, horrible.
- Good: fine, excellent, great.
- Hot: burning, fiery, boiling.
- Cold: chilly, freezing, frosty.
- Easy: Simple, effortless, straightforward.
- Hard: difficult, challenging, tough.
- Big: large, huge, giant.
- Small: tiny, little, mini.
Why are synonyms used?
In writing, especially creative-writing, repeating the same words numerous times can make writing dull or uninteresting. … The use of synonyms also helps to make your writing more vivid and to create a more intriguing image in the mind of the reader.
17 related questions found
What are 7 synonyms?
synonyms for seven
- septenary.
- septemviral.
- septennial.
- septuple.
What are the different types of synonyms?
Frequently Asked Questions About different
Some common synonyms of different are disparate, divergent, diverse, and various. While all these words mean «unlike in kind or character,» different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.
What are the main types of synonyms?
So synonymy seems to be a gradable phenomenon; thus introducing at least two different kinds of synonymy, absolute synonymy and complete synonymy.
Does synonym have a synonym?
There is another possibility, though: poecilonym. This is probably the closest synonym of synonym, although it’s antiquated and rarely used. David Grambs, a lexicographer for American Heritage and Random House, included it in his 1997 book The Endangered English Dictionary: Bodacious Words Your Dictionary Forgot.
How do I find synonyms for a word?
Click the word in your document that you want to look up. On the Review tab, click Thesaurus. To use one of the words in the list of results or to search for more words, do one of the following: To replace your selected word with one of the words from the list, point to it, click the down arrow, then click Insert.
What is a synonym and antonym?
Synonyms are words that have the same, or almost the same, meaning as another word. Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of another word. Choosing the right synonym refines your writing.
What is synonyms and antonyms with examples?
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Synonyms are words with the same or similar meaning.
…
Synonym Examples
- Afraid, scared, frightened.
- Automobile, car, vehicle.
- Big, large, huge.
- Blank, empty, hollow.
- Bunny, rabbit, hare.
- Cap, hat.
- Center, middle, inside.
- Couch, sofa, divan.
What are the 50 examples of synonyms?
50 Examples of Synonyms With Sentences;
- Magnify – expand: He magnified their happiness like their pain.
- Baffle – confuse, deceive: The bad news he received consecutively confused him.
- Beautiful – attractive, pretty, lovely, stunning: You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.
What is the synonym for happy?
cheerful, contented, delighted, ecstatic, elated, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, lively, merry, overjoyed, peaceful, pleasant, pleased, satisfied, thrilled, upbeat, apt, fortunate.
What is a synonym for 8?
eight, 8, VIII, eighter, eighter from Decatur, octad, ogdoad, octonary, octetnoun. the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one. Synonyms: eighter from Decatur, eightsome, octet, eight-spot, ogdoad, eighter, octonary, octette, octad.
What are the 7 synonyms of God?
In the Christian Science textbook, God is defined as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, and Love = the 7 synonyms for God (see «Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures» by Mary Baker Eddy, p.
What are synonyms for 24 7?
perpetual. round-the-clock. unending. uninterrupted. relentless.
What is a synonym for those?
In this page you can discover 22 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for those, like: that, the certain, people, individual, these, the particular, the people, them, certain, the indicated and the.
What is a synonym for do not?
prohibition
- bar.
- constraint.
- disallowance.
- don’t.
- embargo.
- exclusion.
- injunction.
- interdict.
What is the synonym for include?
Some common synonyms of include are comprehend, embrace, and involve. While all these words mean «to contain within as part of the whole,» include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.
Do all words have synonyms?
No thesaurus has all of the synonyms or related words for each word or phrase. Each thesaurus is different, but the goal is the same: to provide alternative ways of saying what you mean and to offer the distinctions between those alternatives. … A print thesaurus relies on users having a dictionary to peruse.
This article is about the general meaning of «synonym». For other uses, see Synonym (disambiguation).
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words begin, start, commence, and initiate are all synonyms of one another: they are synonymous. The standard test for synonymy is substitution: one form can be replaced by another in a sentence without changing its meaning. Words are considered synonymous in only one particular sense: for example, long and extended in the context long time or extended time are synonymous, but long cannot be used in the phrase extended family. Synonyms with exactly the same meaning share a seme or denotational sememe, whereas those with inexactly similar meanings share a broader denotational or connotational sememe and thus overlap within a semantic field. The former are sometimes called cognitive synonyms and the latter, near-synonyms,[2] plesionyms[3] or poecilonyms.[4]
LexicographyEdit
Some lexicographers claim that no synonyms have exactly the same meaning (in all contexts or social levels of language) because etymology, orthography, phonic qualities, connotations, ambiguous meanings, usage, and so on make them unique. Different words that are similar in meaning usually differ for a reason: feline is more formal than cat; long and extended are only synonyms in one usage and not in others (for example, a long arm is not the same as an extended arm). Synonyms are also a source of euphemisms.
Metonymy can sometimes be a form of synonymy: the White House is used as a synonym of the administration in referring to the U.S. executive branch under a specific president.[5] Thus, a metonym is a type of synonym, and the word metonym is a hyponym of the word synonym.[citation needed]
The analysis of synonymy, polysemy, hyponymy, and hypernymy is inherent to taxonomy and ontology in the information science senses of those terms.[6] It has applications in pedagogy and machine learning, because they rely on word-sense disambiguation.[7]
EtymologyEdit
The word is borrowed from Latin synōnymum, in turn borrowed from Ancient Greek synōnymon (συνώνυμον), composed of sýn (σύν ‘together, similar, alike’) and —ōnym— (-ωνυμ-), a form of onoma (ὄνομα ‘name’).[8]
SourcesEdit
Synonyms are often some from the different strata making up a language. For example, in English, Norman French superstratum words and Old English substratum words continue to coexist.[9] Thus, today we have synonyms like the Norman-derived people, liberty and archer, and the Saxon-derived folk, freedom and bowman. For more examples, see the list of Germanic and Latinate equivalents in English.
Loanwords are another rich source of synonyms, often from the language of the dominant culture of a region. Thus, most European languages have borrowed from Latin and ancient Greek, especially for technical terms, but the native terms continue to be used in non-technical contexts. In East Asia, borrowings from Chinese in Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese often double native terms. In Islamic cultures, Arabic and Persian are large sources of synonymous borrowings.
For example, in Turkish, kara and siyah both mean ‘black’, the former being a native Turkish word, and the latter being a borrowing from Persian. In Ottoman Turkish, there were often three synonyms: water can be su (Turkish), âb (Persian), or mâ (Arabic): «such a triad of synonyms exists in Ottoman for every meaning, without exception». As always with synonyms, there are nuances and shades of meaning or usage.[10]
In English, similarly, we often have Latin (L) and Greek (Gk) terms synonymous with Germanic ones: thought, notion (L), idea (Gk); ring, circle (L), cycle (Gk). English often uses the Germanic term only as a noun, but has Latin and Greek adjectives: hand, manual (L), chiral (Gk); heat, thermal (L), caloric (Gk). Sometimes the Germanic term has become rare, or restricted to special meanings: tide, time/temporal, chronic.[11]
Many bound morphemes in English are borrowed from Latin and Greek and are synonyms for native words or morphemes: fish, pisci- (L), ichthy- (Gk).
Another source of synonyms is coinages, which may be motivated by linguistic purism. Thus, the English word foreword was coined to replace the Romance preface. In Turkish, okul was coined to replace the Arabic-derived mektep and mederese, but those words continue to be used in some contexts.[12]
UsesEdit
Synonyms often express a nuance of meaning or are used in different registers of speech or writing.
Different technical fields may appropriate synonyms for specific technical meanings.
Some writers avoid repeating the same word in close proximity, and prefer to use synonyms: this is called elegant variation. Many modern style guides criticize this.
ExamplesEdit
Synonyms can be any part of speech, as long as both words belong to the same part of speech. Examples:
- noun: drink and beverage
- verb: buy and purchase
- adjective: big and large
- adverb: quickly and speedily
- preposition: on and upon
Synonyms are defined with respect to certain senses of words: pupil as the aperture in the iris of the eye is not synonymous with student. Similarly, he expired means the same as he died, yet my passport has expired cannot be replaced by my passport has died.
A thesaurus or synonym dictionary lists similar or related words; these are often, but not always, synonyms.[13]
- The word poecilonym is a rare synonym of the word synonym. It is not entered in most major dictionaries and is a curiosity or piece of trivia for being an autological word because of its meta quality as a synonym of synonym.
- Antonyms are words with opposite or nearly opposite meanings. For example: hot ↔ cold, large ↔ small, thick ↔ thin, synonym ↔ antonym
- Hypernyms and hyponyms are words that refer to, respectively, a general category and a specific instance of that category. For example, vehicle is a hypernym of car, and car is a hyponym of vehicle.
- Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings. For example, witch and which are homophones in most accents (because they are pronounced the same).
- Homographs are words that have the same spelling but different meanings. For example, one can record a song or keep a record of documents.
- Homonyms are words that have the same pronunciation and spelling but different meanings. For example, rose (a type of flower) and rose (past tense of rise) are homonyms.
See alsoEdit
- -onym
- Synonym (taxonomy)
- Cognitive synonymy
- Elegant variation, the gratuitous use of a synonym in prose
- Synonym ring
- Synonymy in Japanese
- Thesauri and synonym dictionaries – Reference work for synonyms
ReferencesEdit
- ^ K.4375
- ^ Stanojević, Maja (2009), «Cognitive synonymy: a general overview» (PDF), Facta Universitatis, Linguistics and Literature Series, 7 (2): 193–200.
- ^ DiMarco, Chrysanne, and Graeme Hirst. «Usage notes as the basis for a representation of near-synonymy for lexical choice.» Proceedings of 9th annual conference of the University of Waterloo Centre for the New Oxford English Dictionary and Text Research. 1993.
- ^ Grambs, David. The Endangered English Dictionary: Bodacious Words Your Dictionary Forgot. WW Norton & Company, 1997.
- ^ «World Architecture Images- The White House». www.essential-architecture.com. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
- ^ Hirst, Graeme. «Ontology and the lexicon.» Handbook on ontologies. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2009. 269-292.
- ^ Turney, Peter D. (2008). «A Uniform Approach to Analogies, Synonyms, Antonyms, and Associations». Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Computational Linguistics — Volume 1. COLING ’08. Stroudsburg, PA, USA: Association for Computational Linguistics: 905–912. arXiv:0809.0124. ISBN 978-1-905593-44-6.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary, 1st edition, 1919, s.v.
- ^ Bradley, Henry (1922). The Making of English. Macmillan and Company, Limited.
- ^ Ziya Gökalp, The Principles of Turkism, 1968, p. 78
- ^ Carl Darling Buck, A Dictionary of Selected Synonyms in the Principal Indo-European Languages, 1949, reprinted as ISBN 0226079376
- ^ Geoffrey Lewis, The Turkish Language Reform: A Catastrophic Success, 1999, ISBN 0198238568, p. 44, 70, 117
- ^ «Synonym dictionary words and phrases». www.allacronyms.com. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
External linksEdit
Look up synonym in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Search more than 275,000 synonyms, antonyms, related words, and idiomatic phrases. The thesaurus is more than just a list of synonyms; it is your guide to more precise and effective use of language.
1
: one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses
2
a
: a word or phrase that by association is held to embody something (such as a concept or quality)
a tyrant whose name has become a synonym for oppression
3
: one of two or more scientific names used to designate the same taxonomic group compare homonym
synonymic
adjective
or less commonly synonymical
Did you know?
The English language (and, we may presume, many other languages) has both antonyms and synonyms. There are many more words with synonyms than there are words with antonyms, since many things exist which do not have an opposite (the word sandwich, for instance, may be said to have synonyms in the words hoagie, grinder, submarine, and many other words, but there is no opposite of sandwich). Antonym is also a much more recent addition to English than synonym is; it first appeared in the 1860s, whereas synonym has been used for more than 500 years.
Additionally, both nouns have adjectival forms: synonymous and antonymous. Synonymous, which is often used loosely («She has become synonymous with good taste»), is the more common of the two.
Example Sentences
I very much enjoyed the chapter on obscenity, which asks the difficult question of how words deemed taboo differ from their inoffensive synonyms … . It can’t obviously be the referent of the term, since that is the same, and it isn’t merely that the taboo words are more accurately descriptive …
—
Colin McGinn, The New York Review of Books, 27 Sept. 2007
The debris hurtled by so fast that the New York Times editorial page seemed to run out of synonyms for disgust, revulsion and abuse.
—Michael Duffy et al., Time, 5 Mar. 2001
«Hollywood» is not, of course, a place. Nor is it a synonym for the entertainment business. There are upstanding citizens who make their living in that field.
—P. J. O’Rourke, Republican Party Reptile, 1987
“Small” and “little” are synonyms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hip-hop’s early luminaries transformed the word’s original meanings, using it as a synonym for cool.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2023
Dermatitis, which means inflammation of the skin, is often used as a synonym for eczema, though not all types of dermatitis are considered eczema.1 There are many types of eczema, each with its own set of causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 17 Mar. 2023
During ceremony, the oni (a word that means wisdom in Shipibo, but is used as a synonym for ayahuasca), is served while Shipibo healers sing songs; together, the experience is meant to purge negative, heavy energies from the body, also known as mawa niwe.
—Michaela Trimble, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2023
It’s used as a synonym for intelligent.
—Simran Johal, refinery29.com, 16 May 2022
An Off Duty article and accompanying recipe for spiced potato fritters on Saturday incorrectly used Idaho as a synonym for russet potato.
—WSJ, 23 Mar. 2022
Today’s Theme Each of the theme entries has two parts: The first word is a type of food and the second is a synonym for leaving a location.
—Deb Amlen, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2023
Pelé added a third layer: his nickname, his trademark, became a synonym not for greatness or even for excellence but for an unimpeachable, scarcely attainable form of perfection.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2022
The Stamp Act simply became a synonym for horror; Schiff tells of a New England servant who refused to enter a barn at night, for fear that the Stamp Act might be there.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘synonym.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English sinonyme, from Latin synonymum, from Greek synōnymon, from neuter of synōnymos synonymous, from syn- + onyma name — more at name
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of synonym was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near synonym
Cite this Entry
“Synonym.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synonym. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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8 Apr 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Asked by: Foster Gusikowski
Score: 4.1/5
(59 votes)
A synonym is simply a word that means the same as the given word. It comes from the Greek “syn” and “onym,” which mean “together” and “name,” respectively. … A thesaurus is a general phrase that describes a type of dictionary that provides a list of words that have the same or similar meaning as the word referenced.
What is a synonym and example?
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word. … For example, the word “walk” has synonyms like “stroll,” “amble,” “saunter,” or “go.” – These words have an identical meaning to the word “walk.” Words that are similar but not identical are called near synonyms.
What does the word synonyms mean?
1 : one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses. 2a : a word or phrase that by association is held to embody something (such as a concept or quality) a tyrant whose name has become a synonym for oppression. b : metonym.
What are synonyms give 5 examples?
II. Examples of Synonyms
- Bad: awful, terrible, horrible.
- Good: fine, excellent, great.
- Hot: burning, fiery, boiling.
- Cold: chilly, freezing, frosty.
- Easy: Simple, effortless, straightforward.
- Hard: difficult, challenging, tough.
- Big: large, huge, giant.
- Small: tiny, little, mini.
Why are synonyms used?
In writing, especially creative-writing, repeating the same words numerous times can make writing dull or uninteresting. … The use of synonyms also helps to make your writing more vivid and to create a more intriguing image in the mind of the reader.
17 related questions found
What are 7 synonyms?
synonyms for seven
- septenary.
- septemviral.
- septennial.
- septuple.
What are the different types of synonyms?
Frequently Asked Questions About different
Some common synonyms of different are disparate, divergent, diverse, and various. While all these words mean «unlike in kind or character,» different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.
What are the main types of synonyms?
So synonymy seems to be a gradable phenomenon; thus introducing at least two different kinds of synonymy, absolute synonymy and complete synonymy.
Does synonym have a synonym?
There is another possibility, though: poecilonym. This is probably the closest synonym of synonym, although it’s antiquated and rarely used. David Grambs, a lexicographer for American Heritage and Random House, included it in his 1997 book The Endangered English Dictionary: Bodacious Words Your Dictionary Forgot.
How do I find synonyms for a word?
Click the word in your document that you want to look up. On the Review tab, click Thesaurus. To use one of the words in the list of results or to search for more words, do one of the following: To replace your selected word with one of the words from the list, point to it, click the down arrow, then click Insert.
What is a synonym and antonym?
Synonyms are words that have the same, or almost the same, meaning as another word. Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of another word. Choosing the right synonym refines your writing.
What is synonyms and antonyms with examples?
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Synonyms are words with the same or similar meaning.
…
Synonym Examples
- Afraid, scared, frightened.
- Automobile, car, vehicle.
- Big, large, huge.
- Blank, empty, hollow.
- Bunny, rabbit, hare.
- Cap, hat.
- Center, middle, inside.
- Couch, sofa, divan.
What are the 50 examples of synonyms?
50 Examples of Synonyms With Sentences;
- Magnify – expand: He magnified their happiness like their pain.
- Baffle – confuse, deceive: The bad news he received consecutively confused him.
- Beautiful – attractive, pretty, lovely, stunning: You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.
What is the synonym for happy?
cheerful, contented, delighted, ecstatic, elated, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, lively, merry, overjoyed, peaceful, pleasant, pleased, satisfied, thrilled, upbeat, apt, fortunate.
What is a synonym for 8?
eight, 8, VIII, eighter, eighter from Decatur, octad, ogdoad, octonary, octetnoun. the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one. Synonyms: eighter from Decatur, eightsome, octet, eight-spot, ogdoad, eighter, octonary, octette, octad.
What are the 7 synonyms of God?
In the Christian Science textbook, God is defined as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, and Love = the 7 synonyms for God (see «Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures» by Mary Baker Eddy, p.
What are synonyms for 24 7?
perpetual. round-the-clock. unending. uninterrupted. relentless.
What is a synonym for those?
In this page you can discover 22 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for those, like: that, the certain, people, individual, these, the particular, the people, them, certain, the indicated and the.
What is a synonym for do not?
prohibition
- bar.
- constraint.
- disallowance.
- don’t.
- embargo.
- exclusion.
- injunction.
- interdict.
What is the synonym for include?
Some common synonyms of include are comprehend, embrace, and involve. While all these words mean «to contain within as part of the whole,» include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.
Do all words have synonyms?
No thesaurus has all of the synonyms or related words for each word or phrase. Each thesaurus is different, but the goal is the same: to provide alternative ways of saying what you mean and to offer the distinctions between those alternatives. … A print thesaurus relies on users having a dictionary to peruse.
1 : one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses.
Contents
- 1 What are synonyms and give examples?
- 2 What to write instead of does?
- 3 What word is synonymous?
- 4 What are 2 synonyms for synonym?
- 5 Why do we use synonyms?
- 6 What are 5 examples of synonyms?
- 7 Do things thesaurus?
- 8 What is another word for to do something?
- 9 Does Do antonym?
- 10 Does synonymous mean similar?
- 11 What type of word is synonymous?
- 12 Where can I find synonyms for words?
- 13 How do you use synonymous?
- 14 Are synonyms and antonyms?
- 15 What is the difference between synonyms and vocabulary?
- 16 What do you mean by antonyms?
- 17 What are 10 examples of synonyms?
- 18 What are the 20 synonyms?
- 19 What are synonyms for grade 2?
- 20 Can could synonym?
What are synonyms and give examples?
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words begin, start, commence, and initiate are all synonyms of one another: they are synonymous .
What to write instead of does?
synonyms for does
- accomplish.
- complete.
- conclude.
- execute.
- move.
- perform.
- prepare.
- make.
What word is synonymous?
1 : having the character of a synonym also : alike in meaning or significance. 2 : having the same connotations, implications, or reference to runners, Boston is synonymous with marathon — Runners World. Other Words from synonymous More Example Sentences Learn More About synonymous.
What are 2 synonyms for synonym?
In this page you can discover 16 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for synonym, like: equivalent, metonym, synonymize, analogue, synonymic, antonym, synonymy, synonymous, equivalent word, word and phrase.
Why do we use synonyms?
It is important because synonyms can help you enhance the quality of your writing by providing your readers with a crisp and unique outlook of your text. Furthermore, it can also improve both your oral skills and your writing skills, as noted in the following section.
What are 5 examples of synonyms?
Synonym Examples
| amazing: astounding, surprising, stunning | fertile, fruitful, abundant, productive |
|---|---|
| annihilation: destruction, carnage, extinction | gargantuan: colossal, mammoth, tremendous |
| benefit: profit, revenue, yield | hungry: empty, ravenous, starved |
| brave: courageous, valiant, heroic | injured: damaged, wounded, harmed |
Do things thesaurus?
- achieve.
- bring about.
- enact.
- enforce.
- implement.
- realize.
- actualize.
- actuate.
What is another word for to do something?
What is another word for do something?
| take action | act |
|---|---|
| begin | proceed |
| respond | start |
| take measures | take steps |
| work | get moving |
Does Do antonym?
Antonyms. leader disobey disoblige violate predate literalize spiritualize. make out come proceed go get along.
Does synonymous mean similar?
synonymous Add to list Share. If two words are synonymous, they mean the same thing.In addition to describing words with the same or similar meanings, you can use the adjective synonymous to describe things that are similar in a more figurative way.
What type of word is synonymous?
having a similar meaning. of, or being a synonym.
Where can I find synonyms for words?
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms and Antonyms of Words. Thesaurus.com.
How do you use synonymous?
Synonymous in a Sentence
- In the old days, being a woman was synonymous with being a housewife because women were not expected to work outside of the home.
- Most of the town residents are voting against the transportation proposal because they see public transit and crime as synonymous.
Are synonyms and antonyms?
Synonyms are words that have the same, or almost the same, meaning as another word. Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of another word.
What is the difference between synonyms and vocabulary?
So, you can see that synonyms only present some similar alternatives but do not actually describe the word.However, the vocabulary of the word ‘vocabulary‘ will tell you the exact meaning of the word, its usage in different contexts, and its difference from the synonym of this word.
What do you mean by antonyms?
Definition of antonym
: a word of opposite meaning The usual antonym of good is bad.
What are 10 examples of synonyms?
II. Examples of Synonyms
- Bad: awful, terrible, horrible.
- Good: fine, excellent, great.
- Hot: burning, fiery, boiling.
- Cold: chilly, freezing, frosty.
- Easy: Simple, effortless, straightforward.
- Hard: difficult, challenging, tough.
- Big: large, huge, giant.
- Small: tiny, little, mini.
What are the 20 synonyms?
List of Synonyms
| Word | Synonym-1 | Synonym-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazing | Incredible | Unbelievable |
| Anger | Enrage | Infuriate |
| Angry | Wrathful | Furious |
| Answer | Reply | Respond |
What are synonyms for grade 2?
Synonyms are words with the same or similar meaning.
Synonym Examples
- Afraid, scared, frightened.
- Automobile, car, vehicle.
- Big, large, huge.
- Blank, empty, hollow.
- Bunny, rabbit, hare.
- Cap, hat.
- Center, middle, inside.
- Couch, sofa, divan.
Can could synonym?
synonyms for could be
- perchance.
- perhaps.
- as it may be.
- can be.
- conceivable.
- conceivably.
- credible.
- feasible.
Contents
- 1 What is synonym and its examples?
- 2 What are 5 examples of synonyms?
- 3 What is the full meaning of synonyms?
- 4 Is a synonym the opposite or the same?
- 5 What are 10 examples of synonyms?
- 6 What is the use of synonyms?
- 7 What is an example of a synonym?
- 8 How do you explain synonyms to a child?
- 9 Does synonym have a synonym?
- 10 Can could synonym?
- 11 How do I find synonyms for a word?
- 12 What is a synonym for you?
- 13 Which can be used synonym?
- 14 What is a synonym for can t?
- 15 What is a synonym for should?
- 16 What are synonyms in English?
- 17 What is the synonym of essay?
- 18 Which is a synonym?
- 19 What are synonyms for where?
- 20 Which can lead to synonym?
- 21 What is the synonym of social?
- 22 Why do synonyms exist?
- 23 How many synonyms are there in English?
What is synonym and its examples?
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word. … For example, the word “walk” has synonyms like “stroll,” “amble,” “saunter,” or “go.” – These words have an identical meaning to the word “walk.” Words that are similar but not identical are called near synonyms.
What are 5 examples of synonyms?
Synonym Examples
| Amazing: astounding, surprising, stunning | Fertile, fruitful, abundant, productive |
|---|---|
| Brave: courageous, valiant, heroic | Injured: damaged, wounded, harmed |
| Cohesive: united, connected, close-knit | Intelligent: brilliant, clever, smart |
| Cunning: keen, sharp, slick | Kindle: ignite, inflame, burn |
What is the full meaning of synonyms?
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.
Is a synonym the opposite or the same?
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Synonyms are words with the same or similar meaning. Homonyms are words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but have different meanings.
What are 10 examples of synonyms?
II. Examples of Synonyms
- Bad: awful, terrible, horrible.
- Good: fine, excellent, great.
- Hot: burning, fiery, boiling.
- Cold: chilly, freezing, frosty.
- Easy: Simple, effortless, straightforward.
- Hard: difficult, challenging, tough.
- Big: large, huge, giant.
- Small: tiny, little, mini.
What is the use of synonyms?
Replacing a word with an equivalent one, perhaps even a more specific one, can improve how you are communicating your ideas. The use of synonyms also helps to make your writing more vivid and to create a more intriguing image in the mind of the reader.
What is an example of a synonym?
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words begin, start, commence, and initiate are all synonyms of one another: they are synonymous .
How do you explain synonyms to a child?
There is another possibility, though: poecilonym. This is probably the closest synonym of synonym, although it’s antiquated and rarely used. David Grambs, a lexicographer for American Heritage and Random House, included it in his 1997 book The Endangered English Dictionary: Bodacious Words Your Dictionary Forgot.
Can could synonym?
What is another word for could?
| would | can |
|---|---|
| could perhaps | could potentially |
| might possibly | might potentially |
| potentially will | may potentially |
| could possibly | may actually |
How do I find synonyms for a word?
Click the word in your document that you want to look up. On the Review tab, click Thesaurus. To use one of the words in the list of results or to search for more words, do one of the following: To replace your selected word with one of the words from the list, point to it, click the down arrow, then click Insert.
What is a synonym for you?
In this page you can discover 22 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for you, like: thee, yourself, thou, y-all, all of you, you yourself, you too, you alone, you-all, anybody and everyone.
Which can be used synonym?
What is another word for can be used?
| can be brought into play | can be brought to bear |
|---|---|
| can be drawn on | can be exploited |
| can be put to use | can be utilized |
| may be used |
What is a synonym for can t?
Find another word for unable. In this page you can discover 34 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for unable, like: inefficacious, incapable, inefficient, unable-to, cannot, impuissant, able, powerless, ineffective, weak and inadequate.
What is a synonym for should?
must, need, ought (to), shall.
What are synonyms in English?
which
- that.
- whatever.
- and that.
- whichever.
What is the synonym of essay?
Some common synonyms of essay are attempt, endeavor, strive, and try. While all these words mean “to make an effort to accomplish an end,” essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.
Which is a synonym?
Full Definition of synonym
1 : one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses. 2a : a word or phrase that by association is held to embody something (such as a concept or quality) a tyrant whose name has become a synonym for oppression.
What are synonyms for where?
In this page you can discover 28 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for where, like: in which, in what place?, at which point, in what direction?, at which place?, anywhere, wherever, in whatever place, whither, at which and toward what?.
Which can lead to synonym?
What is another word for lead to?
| produce | catalyseUK |
|---|---|
| yield | result in |
| bring about | bring on |
| contribute to | set in motion |
| translate into | give rise to |
communal, community, community-based, collective, group, general, popular, civil, civic, public, societal. endemic, pandemic. individual.
Why do synonyms exist?
Because every word has a unique connotation, no word has exactly the same meaning as another. For example, the Random House Unabridged Dictionary uses as examples of synonyms the words joyful, elated, glad. … Each of those three words would be used in different situations or contexts.
How many synonyms are there in English?
Hence, we are providing the list of Synonyms and Antonyms containing more than 400 English synonym and antonym words.
…
| Synonyms And Antonyms List | ||
|---|---|---|
| Words | Synonyms – Same Meaning | Antonyms – Opposites |
| Calculating | Canny, Devious | Artless, honest |
What do we mean by synonym?
A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or other words in a language. noun
A word or expression that serves as a figurative or symbolic substitute for another. noun
One of two or more scientific names that have been applied to the same species or other taxonomic group. noun
A word having the same signification as another; one of two or more words which have the same meaning; by extension, a word having nearly the same meaning as another; one of two or more words which in use cover to a considerable extent the same ground: the opposite of antonym. noun
A word of one language which corresponds in meaning with a word in another language. See heteronym, 2, paronym, 2, and the quotation from Camden under synonymize. noun
In natural history, a systematic name having the same, or approximately the same, meaning or application as another which has superseded it; a technical name which, by the rules of nomenclature, is not tenable. noun
One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under synonymous. noun
An incorrect or incorrectly applied scientific name, as a new name applied to a species or genus already properly named, or a specific name preoccupied by that of another species of the same genus; — so used in the system of nomenclature (which see) in which the correct scientific names of certain natural groups (usually genera, species, and subspecies) are regarded as determined by priority. noun
One of two or more words corresponding in meaning but of different languages; a heteronym. noun
A word or phrase with a meaning that is the same as, or very similar to, another word or phrase. noun
Any of the formal names for the taxon, including the valid name (i.e. the senior synonym). noun
Any name for the taxon, usually a validly published, formally accepted one, but often also an unpublished name. noun
An alternative (often shorter) name defined for an object in a database. noun
Two words that can be interchanged in a context are said to be synonymous relative to that context noun
(strictly) A word whose meaning is the same as that of another word.
A word or phrase with a meaning that is the same as, or very similar to, another word or phrase.
Any of the formal names for a taxon, including the valid name (i.e. the senior synonym).
Any name for a taxon, usually a validly published, formally accepted one, but often also an unpublished name.
An alternative (often shorter) name defined for an object in a database.
1: one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses
2 : a word or phrase that by association is held to embody something (as a concept or quality) Urban Dictionary
Dumbass or Asshole
(a word you can say without saying a curse and it will confuse the hell out of anyone who dosent know what it means) Urban Dictionary
One of the functions most missing in Urbandictionary.com Urban Dictionary
Word meaning similar to another word Urban Dictionary
This is another stuffy professor word. its basically stuffy old man way to say aka Urban Dictionary
1. A word that means the same, or almost the same, as another word in the same language, either in all of its uses or in a specific context.
2. a word or expression that is used as another name for something in some styles of speaking or writing or to emphasize a specific aspect or association.
3. A duplicate taxonomic name that has been rejected or replaced. Urban Dictionary
A word you use when you don’t know how to spell the first one. Urban Dictionary
When your typing a letter, essay etc. and you need a synonym just right click the word and look for its synonym. You have just synonymized the word!! Urban Dictionary
George W. Bush’s favorite flavor. Urban Dictionary
Different words, but have the same definition. Urban Dictionary
Have you come across the word synonym and not been sure what it means? Or do you have somewhat of an idea of the definition but nothing specific enough to provide an example? If so, this post can help.
So let’s get right to it: What is a synonym?
The Meaning of Synonym
A synonym is a word that either has the same meaning as another word or a use and association that is close to that of another word.
For example, happy and joyful are synonyms. Although joyful is perhaps more specific about a person’s mood, the words are nearly interchangeable.
For another example, consider kind, nice, and friendly. Each of these word choices can suggest a particular trait depending on the context, but they generally mean the same thing. (To find synonyms when you need them, you can search in a printed or online thesaurus.)
Note that a synonym can sometimes be used as a metaphorical noun. For instance, someone could write increased droughts have become a synonym for climate change. While less common, these usages create an association or a resemblance between two different things.
Also note that English speakers may sometimes confuse synonym with cinnamon because the words are homonyms, meaning they are pronounced similarly but differ in meaning. This is just a coincidence, however. Although synonyms can occasionally sweeten your writing, they shouldn’t be added to recipes.
More Examples of Synonyms
Whether you are aware or not, you probably use synonyms each day. Let’s look at more examples:
rich > wealthy
strong > solid
extroverted > outgoing
essential > necessary
snowy > wintry
hot > scorching
late > tardy
fast > rapid
You can probably think of lots of other synonyms if you put your mind to it. Our goal in this post is to ensure you can identify and draw upon synonyms when you want or need to, which brings us to our closing question:
Why Are Synonyms Important?
Synonyms add to your writing by broadening your vocabulary and your ideas. Rather than over-rely on one particular word, you can draw from similar words to keep your compositions fresh.
For example, if you are writing about an intelligent professor, you could describe her within a paragraph as smart, sharp, and insightful as opposed to identifying her as smart three times.
There may also be times when one synonym might be a better choice than another because either it’s more precise or it better reflects the mood you wish to convey. Consider the following sentences:
I drove through pounding rain on the way to work today.
I drove through a downpour on the way to work today.
The main synonyms here are the noun phrase pounding rain and the noun downpour. Each creates a similar image but suggests a subtle difference in intensity. That’s the power of synonyms.
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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.
Key Takeaways
- English has gathered many words from different languages, leading to synonyms.
- There is academic debate about whether two different words can truly be the same.
- Near-synonyms are very close in meaning.
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