Word that are alike

With the vast nature of the English language, it’s natural that some words have overlapping meanings, or one word may have a very similar meaning to another word. And while these overlapping words are already a lot, you might also be confused about what to call these alike meaning words.

The word ‘synonyms’ is the most preferred way to describe two words that mean the same. ‘Synonym’ is straightforward with its meaning that when two words are synonymous, it means two words have almost or the same exact definition. Thus, making it the most appropriate word in any context.

Synonyms

Calling two words ‘synonymous’ is one way to indicate that two words mean the same thing. The word ‘synonym’ also follows an equal definition. However, it would be good to note that not all synonyms exactly mean the same, and there is still a most appropriate word for any context.

For example, ‘thin’ and ‘narrow’ maybe synonymous in a way. However, it seems off to describe a person as narrow or a road as thin. In that way, even if the two words mean the same, there is still a more preferred or appropriate word in a given context. It’s best to describe the road as narrow and a person as thin or skinny. But another synonym for the two words would be slim or slender, which we can use to describe either a person or a road.

Words Alike

Describing two words as ‘alike’ is another way of saying that the two are synonymous. In other contexts, it could also mean that two things are similar in a way. Many also prefer to use ‘alike’ as it still means similar, but does not imply exact duplicates.

The word ‘alike’ is also versatile as it is not only used to describe two words, but other things that are similar to each other. In the context of words or synonyms, we say ‘brave’ and ‘courageous’ are two words alike. But, we can also say ‘both of you look alike’ or ‘the two of them dress alike’ to express similarity in visuals and fashion, respectively. Thus, saying two words are alike is another way of saying they mean the same thing.

Similar Words

The words ‘alike’ and ‘similar’ are synonyms, and in this context, they mean the exact same thing. Like ‘alike,’ describing two words as similar means that the two words have definitions that are almost the same or in some way alike, but it does not imply exactly the same.

The only difference between using ‘similar’ and ‘alike’ is the grammar rules or how we structure them in a sentence. We usually say that two words are alike, but when we use ‘similar,’ we say that the two are similar words. So, we say, ‘beautiful and pretty are words alike,’ but we say ‘beautiful and pretty are similar words.’ Despite this difference, the two phrases and words are still synonymous and mean the exact same.

Likewise

‘Likewise’ is another synonym for ‘alike’ and ‘similar,’ and these three words mean that two words are alike or in the same way. Saying that two words are likewise is like saying that one word is also another. However, saying there are limitations in saying two words are likewise.

Saying that two words are likewise may imply that the two words mean exactly the same. For example, saying that ‘long and tall are likewise’ is the same as saying ‘long is also tall’ and implies that the two are interchangeable. However, saying that a person is tall may not have the same meaning as saying a person is long (this may also be totally improper and inappropriate). So, it’s best to use ‘likewise’ only for words that mean the exact same.

Parallel Words

Describing two words as parallel is another way of saying the two are synonymous. However, there are limitations to saying this, as it implies that the two are exactly the same or their meanings are exact duplicates of one another, just like how parallel lines are.

The limitation in using the term ‘parallel’ is that not all synonymous words may exactly be the same as another. It means that they are similar but not exactly parallel. For example, ‘happy and joyful are parallel words,’ meaning they are exactly the same in this particular context. However, you can’t say ‘nerdy and smart are parallel words’ because the two words may not mean exactly the same. Smart may be a compliment, while nerdy may come off as something offensive.

Equal/Equivalent

Like the word ‘parallel,’ using the word ‘equal’ or ‘equivalent’ implies that two words mean exactly the same thing. In Math, equal or equivalent terms are usually interchangeable in positions. In the same way, saying words are equal implies that they are interchangeable with each other.

Using the term equal or equivalent may not be applicable in all cases, as not all synonyms are always interchangeable in all contexts. For example, the word ugly and horrible may be equals or equivalents when describing a person’s looks. However, ugly is not an appropriate equivalent of horrible when describing the taste of a food.

Describing two words are the ‘same’ is a graver version of saying two words are ‘similar’ or ‘alike.’ Unlike the two latter words, the word ‘same’ emphasizes or implies that the two given words are exactly the same. It’s another way of saying the two are equal or parallel.

However, describing something as ‘the same’ is not always applicable and varies depending on the context. In one context where two words are interchangeable, ‘Dirty and filthy are the same’ for example, here, ‘same’ works. However, there are also synonymous and similar words that aren’t exactly the same and are not interchangeable with each other.

Identical Words

Describing two words as ‘identical’ strongly implies that the two are exactly the same. A simple analogy for this is that, identical twins are usually twins that are almost exact duplicates of each other. In the same way, identical words imply they are duplicates or totally the same.

However, not all words are always the same. So, using ‘identical’ actually needs more caution, especially since it may give off a wrong meaning that two words are precisely the same but may not be the case all the time. For example saying ‘charm and beauty are identical words’ may be true for some individuals or in a given context, but it may not be the case for others or other contexts.

Interchangeable Words

Saying two words are interchangeable directly means that the words are synonymous and interchangeable. It simply means that you could use both words in the given context. Given this, though, we only use it for two words that are precisely the same and appropriate for the said context.

For example, saying that ‘beautiful and pretty are interchangeable’ directly implies that you can use either of the two words in your sentence or the context you want to use it. However, we only use ‘interchangeable’ for two words that are precisely the same and interchangeable with each other, without any change of meaning.

Redundant

We say words are redundant when they are put in the same sentence but mean the same thing. ‘Redundant’ actually means exceeding what is necessary, meaning there are more than the needed words to describe what you want to do so. In the same way, one can redact redundant words.

An example of redundancy is saying, ‘she was shy and bashful during the first day.’ Here, ‘shy’ and ‘bashful’ may be redundant as they mean the same thing. While keeping the sentence as is works also, one may also remove redundancy by keeping only one of the two words, and discarding or redacting the other.

Tautologous

Saying a phrase is tautologous is another way of saying that it is redundant, implying that there is an unneeded repetition of ideas in a sentence. Though these words are usually redundant, there are different tautologous phrases that we often use in everyday conversations.

An example of a tautologous phrase would be ‘adequate enough.’ Essentially, adequate and enough have the same meaning of being as much as required or needed. So, putting ‘adequate’ and ‘enough’ together may seem redundant, but many speakers still use it in various contexts and daily conversations.

Pleonasm

Pleonasm is more of a linguistic style and expression. It is using redundant phrases and words, more words than necessary, to emphasize meaning and add more style. The word pleonasm, in it’s Latin origin, already means to be excessive, and so pleonasm also means being excessive in redundant phrases.

An example of pleonasm is saying ‘burning fire.’ Saying ‘burning’ and ‘fire’ becomes redundant, as saying ‘fire’ in itself already means it is burning. Another would be the phrase ‘hear with my own ears,’ which becomes redundant as the ears is the only way one can hear.

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Homophones are words that sound alike, but are different in spelling and meaning. English is a crazy language where one word can have different meanings and different words can be pronounced alike. This craziness is most evident in English Homophones.

Examples of English homophones

The following riddle offers an interesting example of the use of homophones:

Anyone who has read Shakespeare’s Macbeth will never forget the Three Witches, with their chappy fingers, skinny lips and beards. But what if you happen to see them all together? Will you be able to recognize each one of them?

Oh! No. You won’t be able to say which witch is which.

Meaning of the word homophone

The word ‘homophone’ is formed by combining Greek words homos which means ‘same’ and phone which means ‘sound’. So a homophone is “a word pronounced the same as another.”

Here is an extensive list of Homophones in English. Search a word to find other words that are pronounced alike.

More Homophone Riddles

The English language has many confusing words. Some words may look alike; some may sound alike, or some may sound and look alike. However similar these sounds are they may have different meanings and origins. Confusing these words is a very easy mistake to make. Such easily confused words are one of the major challenges faced by English learners as well as native English speakers.

Words that sound alike

Words that have identical pronunciation are known as homophones in linguistics. Although these words sound alike, they have different spellings and meanings. Stair and stare, feet and feat, right and write, waist and waste are some examples of homophones.

Words that look alike

Words that have identical spellings, but different meanings are known as homographs. Read, wound, right, etc. are some examples of homographs.

Words that look and sound alike

Words that look and sound are the trickiest of all. There is often no way to identify the difference other than looking at the context.

In addition, there are also some words that have minor differences in spellings and pronunciation and major differences in meaning. These kinds of words also confuse many of use.

All in all, confusing words are one of the trickiest areas in a language. This is why we have compiled these easily confused words as a list. You can browse through these word pairs and find more information about their meaning, function and the usage.

Adapt vs Adopt

Advice vs Advise

Adverse vs Averse

Aisle vs Isle

Affect vs Effect

Affirm vs Confirm

Allowed vs Aloud

Already vs All Ready

Altar vs Alter

Alternate vs Alternative

Amend vs Emend

Among vs Amongst 

Amoral vs Immoral

Apart vs A part

Assent vs Ascent

Assume vs Presume

Aural vs Oral

Bath vs Bathe

Belief vs Believe 

Breath vs Breathe

Brought vs Bought 

Born vs Borne

Cite vs Site

Capital vs Capitol

Classic vs Classical

Complain vs Complaint

Compliment vs Complement

Chose vs Choose

Cord vs Chord

Desert vs Dessert 

Discreet vs Discrete

Dual vs Duel

Elicit vs Illicit

Emigrant vs Immigrant

Epic vs Epoch

Fair vs Fare

Farther vs Further

Few vs a few

Flair vs Flare

Forego vs Forgo

Imminent vs Eminent

In vs Inside

Incident vs Incidence

Invoke vs Evoke

Into vs In To

Lay vs Lie

Laying vs Lying

Later vs Latter

Led vs Lead

Life vs Live

Little vs a little 

Light vs Lite

Look and See

Lose vs Loss

Lose vs Loose

Madam vs Madame

Make vs Madame

My vs Mine

Non vs None

Optimum vs Optimal 

Pale vs Pail

Plain vs Plane

Prerequisite vs Requisite 

Practise vs Practice

Principal vs Principle

Proceed vs Precede

Proof vs Prove

Quiet vs Quiet 

Rise vs Raise

Rise vs Arise

Rite vs Right

Right vs Wright

Safe vs Save

Sleep vs Asleep

Spend vs Spent

Stationary vs Stationery

Suit vs Suite

Sore vs Soar

Sort vs Sought

Their vs There

Then vs Than

Threw vs Through

Wave vs Waive

Wander vs Wonder

Weather vs Whether

While vs Whilst

Who’s vs Whose

Your vs You’re