Synonyms are words that are like another word or have a related meaning. They can be lifesavers when you want to avoid repeating the same word over and over. Sometimes the word you have in mind might not be the most appropriate word, which is why finding the right synonym can come in handy. Expand your vocabulary with an extensive selection of synonyms examples.
What is A Synonym?
A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in certain contexts. The adjective form is synonymous. Synonyms are the relationship that exists between words with closely related meanings.
The word comes from Greek and means “same name”. As opposed to an antonym. A synonym for the term synonym is poecilonym.
For example, “beautiful” and “attractive” are synonymous because they both refer to someone or something that looks good.
Synonyms are regular and essential parts of everyday language that we use almost without thinking. They come in all parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and so on.
For example, let’s look at various synonyms of “good”. As one of the most used words, good has a lot of synonyms that mean the same or almost the same thing: fine, excellent, satisfactory, wonderful, superb, etc.
But keep one thing in mind that meanings are not always identical; for example, excellent is a high degree of good, while satisfactory is more like a minimal amount of good. Still, the central idea is the same: All these synonyms refer to something that is positive and not bad.
Examples of Synonyms
Here are some synonyms of words you use every day:
- Bad: awful, terrible, horrible
- Small: tiny, little, mini
- Good: fine, excellent, great
- Cold: chilly, freezing, frosty
- Hot: burning, fiery, boiling
- Easy: Simple, effortless, straightforward
- Hard: difficult, challenging, tough
- Big: large, huge, giant
Let’s put the synonyms in a sentence and use the substitution method:
- You have a big house.
- You have a large house.
By replacing “big” with “large”, we can keep the meaning of the sentence (the description of the house) to a similar extent/sense as in the original sentence.
- He had to make a difficult decision.
- He had to make a hard decision.
As before, replacing difficult with hard does not change the meaning of the sentence (the description of the decision).
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- Examples of Antonyms: List of Antonyms Words
- 100 Examples of Masculine And Feminine Gender
Types Of Synonyms
There are three different types of synonyms:
- Absolute synonyms
- Partial synonyms
- Near synonyms
Examples of Absolute Synonyms
In the case of 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 replace the words with their synonym in any possible context (semantic, grammatical, sociolinguistic, etc.).
This condition is very rare as normally two words referring to the same meaning/object cannot coexist. An example of an absolute synonym is airport and aerodrome. We use the former a lot these days, while the latter is an old-fashioned word.
Examples:
- Identical — Indistinguishable
- Drink — Beverage
- Insect — Bug
Examples of 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 convey the same message. Partial synonyms may differ in their collocation, register, and regional/social variation.
Examples:
- Car — Vehicle
- Run — Sprint
- Big — Gigantic
Examples of Near Synonyms
Near synonyms are words that have different meanings but whose meaning is still related. These words cannot be used interchangeably; If you replace a word with a similar synonym, the message will be different.
However, since they are related, a close synonym might be a better and more accurate choice of words than the original.
Examples:
- Smart — Witty
- River — Creek
- Hairy — Furry
100 examples of Synonyms words
Working with synonyms can make your writing more varied and help expand your vocabulary. Build your vocabulary with these examples of synonyms words.
Beautiful: Gorgeous, Stunning, Lovely, Attractive, Exquisite
Happy: Joyful, Content, Delighted, Ecstatic, Pleased
Important: Crucial, Significant, Essential, Vital, Critical
Good: Excellent, Fine, Great, Superb, Outstanding
Love: Adore, Cherish, Care for, Affection, Devotion
Amazing: Astonishing, Incredible, Breathtaking, Remarkable, Astounding
Help: Assist, Aid, Support, Guide, Serve
Great: Fantastic, Wonderful, Superb, Excellent, Terrific
Increase: Boost, Augment, Raise, Enhance, Multiply
People: Individuals, Folks, Persons, Humans, Society
Sad: Unhappy, Sorrowful, Melancholy, Depressed, Mournful
Use: Utilize, Employ, Apply, Make use of, Exploit
Change: Alter, Modify, Transform, Convert, Adapt
Problem: Issue, Difficulty, Challenge, Dilemma, Obstacle
Support: Assist, Aid, Help, Backing, Assistance
Happiness: Joy, Bliss, Contentment, Delight, Elation
Knowledge: Wisdom, Understanding, Expertise, Information, Awareness
Understand: Comprehend, Grasp, Perceive, Interpret, Fathom
Unique: Distinctive, Unusual, Rare, Singular, Exclusive
Success: Achievement, Accomplishment, Triumph, Victory, Attainment
Experience: Encounter, Event, Incident, Adventure, Journey
Difficult: Challenging, Hard, Tough, Arduous, Demanding
Enjoy: Appreciate, Relish, Savor, Delight in, Revel in
Learn: Acquire, Gain knowledge, Absorb, Study, Educate
Provide: Supply, Offer, Furnish, Give, Present
Development: Progress, Advancement, Growth, Evolvement, Expansion
Friend: Companion, Pal, Buddy, Chum, Confidant
Angry: Furious, Mad, Enraged, Irritated, Wrathful
Wonderful: Marvelous, Splendid, Fantastic, Terrific, Magnificent
Best: Finest, Greatest, Optimal, Supreme, Superlative
Problems: Issues, Troubles, Challenges, Dilemmas, Obstacles
Friends: Companions, Allies, Pals, Mates, Acquaintances
Cute: Adorable, Charming, Sweet, Endearing, Lovely
Awesome: Impressive, Majestic, Stupendous, Astounding, Awe-inspiring
Bad: Poor, Terrible, Awful, Negative, Unfavorable
Excited: Thrilled, Enthusiastic, Eager, Animated, Pumped
Learning: Education, Knowledge acquisition, Study, Instruction, Training
Work: Labor, Job, Employment, Task, Occupation
Exciting: Thrilling, Electrifying, Exhilarating, Stimulating, Adventurous
Thank You: Gratitude, Appreciation, Thanks, Acknowledgment, Recognition
Improve: Enhance, Upgrade, Refine, Ameliorate, Better
Fun: Enjoyment, Entertainment, Pleasure, Amusement, Recreation
Opportunity: Chance, Prospect, Opening, Possibility, Option
Funny: Hilarious, Humorous, Comical, Witty, Entertaining
Show: Display, Exhibit, Demonstrate, Present, Showcase
Peace: Harmony, Tranquility, Serenity, Calmness, Reconciliation
Excellent: Outstanding, Superb, Exceptional, Remarkable, Superior
Appreciate: Value, Esteem, Treasure, Respect, Admire
Travel: Journey, Trip, Explore, Tour, Roam
Anger: Rage, Fury, Wrath, Resentment, Indignation
Students: Pupils, Learners, Scholars, Trainees, Apprentices
Because: Since, Due to, Owing to, As a result of, For the reason that
Request: Appeal, Solicitation, Entreaty, Plea, Petition
Information: Data, Facts, Details, Knowledge, Intelligence
Gorgeous: Stunning, Breathtaking, Striking, Radiant, Beautiful
Attractive: Appealing, Alluring, Charming, Captivating, Seductive
Handsome: Good-looking, Attractive, Dashing, Elegant, Striking
Children: Kids, Offspring, Youngsters, Little ones, Progeny
Strong: Powerful, Mighty, Robust, Sturdy, Resilient
Confusion: Disarray, Bewilderment, Perplexity, Puzzlement, Distraction
Delicious: Tasty, Yummy, Flavorful, Delectable, Scrumptious
Beauty: Attractiveness, Elegance, Grace, Glamour, Splendor
Nice: Pleasant, Agreeable, Friendly, Amiable, Charming
However: Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Yet, Still, On the other hand
Believe: Trust, Have faith in, Accept, Convinced, Consider
New: Fresh, Novel, Recent, Modern, Innovative
Confused: Perplexed, Baffled, Puzzled, Disoriented, Mixed up
Explore: Discover, Investigate, Probe, Examine, Uncover
Growth: Expansion, Progress, Advancement, Development, Maturation
Create: Generate, Produce, Invent, Formulate, Construct
Hard Work: Diligence, Effort, Labor, Persistence, Industry
Teacher: Educator, Instructor, Tutor, Mentor, Professor
Spend: Invest, Utilize, Allocate, Use up, Devote
Significant: Meaningful, Notable, Substantial, Important, Momentous
Better: Superior, Enhanced, Improved, Advanced, Upgraded
Creation: Innovation, Formation, Production, Origin, Invention
Interest: Curiosity, Fascination, Intrigue, Enthusiasm, Engagement
Opportunities: Possibilities, Prospects, Chances, Options, Potential
Like: Enjoy, Appreciate, Prefer, Favor, Admire
Perfect: Flawless, Impeccable, Ideal, Faultless, Exquisite
Creative: Imaginative, Innovative, Artistic, Inventive, Original
Hardworking: Diligent, Industrious, Conscientious, Persevering, Tireless
Complete: Whole, Finished, Total, Comprehensive, Entire
Responsible: Accountable, Reliable, Trustworthy, Dependable, Dutiful
Nature: Natural world, Environment, Wilderness, Landscape, Ecology
Pretty: Beautiful, Attractive, Lovely, Cute, Charming
Said: Stated, Express, Asserted, Mentioned, Declared
Interesting: Intriguing, Captivating, Engaging, Compelling, Stimulating
A Lot: Many, Numerous, Plenty, Abundant, A great deal
Crazy: Insane, Mad, Absurd, Wild, Bizarre
Things: Objects, Items, Stuff, Possessions, Articles
Big: Large, Huge, Massive, Enormous, Gigantic
Many: Numerous, Several, Multiple, Countless, Plentiful
Very: Extremely, Highly, Exceedingly, Intensely, Remarkably
Extremely: Exceedingly, Intensely, Exceptionally, Utterly, Unbelievably
Cool: Awesome, Stylish, Trendy, Hip, Rad
Also: Additionally, Furthermore, Moreover, Besides, Likewise
Community: Society, Neighborhood, Group, Collective, Population
Powerful: Strong, Mighty, Potent, Influential, Dominant
Stupid: Dumb, Foolish, Idiotic, Ignorant, Senseless
Small: Tiny, Little, Miniature, Petite, Compact
Large: Big, Huge, Massive, Enormous, Gigantic
Incredible: Unbelievable, Astonishing, Phenomenal, Extraordinary, Unimaginable
Group: Team, Collective, Gathering, Assembly, Association
Hate: Despise, Loathe, Detest, Abhor, Dislike
Smart: Intelligent, Clever, Bright, Brilliant, Sharp
Dark: Dim, Gloomy, Shadowy, Obscure, Murky
Pain: Suffering, Agony, Distress, Discomfort, Torment
Adventure: Excursion, Quest, Journey, Expedition, Exploration
Although: Though, However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Yet
Stop: Cease, Halt, Quit, End, Terminate
Dangerous: Hazardous, Risky, Perilous, Unsafe, Treacherous
Journey: Trip, Voyage, Expedition, Travel, Passage
Fear: Dread, Anxiety, Fright, Terror, Apprehension
Fast: Quick, Rapid, Swift, Speedy, Expedited
Hard: Difficult, Challenging, Tough, Arduous, Strenuous
Respect: Esteem, Admiration, Honor, Reverence, Regard
Evil: Wicked, Malevolent, Sinister, Vile, Diabolical
Cold: Chilly, Freezing, Frigid, Icy, Frosty
Story: Narrative, Tale, Account, Plot, Legend
After: Following, Subsequent to, Later, Post, Following on from
Destroy: Ruin, Demolish, Wreck, Obliterate, Devastate
Joy: Happiness, Delight, Bliss, Elation, Jubilation
Weird: Strange, Odd, Bizarre, Peculiar, Quirky
Rude: Impolite, Disrespectful, Offensive, Insolent, Uncivil
And: Also, As well, In addition, Plus, Furthermore
Magic: Enchantment, Sorcery, Wizardry, Witchcraft, Supernatural
Time: Duration, Period, Moment, Era, Hour
Lie: Untruth, Falsehood, Deception, Fib, Fabrication
Strength: Power, Might, Force, Vigor, Resilience
Tired: Exhausted, Fatigued, Weary, Drained, Worn-out
Resilience: Endurance, Perseverance, Stamina, Fortitude, Grit
Poor: Needy, Impoverished, Deprived, Indigent, Penniless
Irritation: Annoyance, Aggravation, Frustration, Bother, Discomfort
Empathic: Compassionate, Understanding, Sympathetic, Caring, Sensitive
Fake: Faux, Counterfeit, Imitation, Sham, False
Clean: Spotless, Tidy, Immaculate, Fresh, Sanitary
Read More: 100 Examples of Antonyms
How to use Synonyms?
When choosing synonyms, you should consider several important things in addition to the definition of a word:
- Connotation – do you want your meaning to be positive, negative, or neutral?
- Type of writing – is your work informative, persuasive, or creative?
- Audience – who needs to understand the words: children, young people, adults?
- Purpose – Do you choose words for descriptions such as characterization, setting, etc.?
While this may seem like a lot of things, the use of synonyms in our everyday language comes naturally in our speech. We are constantly aware of our surroundings – audience, environment, situation – and speak accordingly, sometimes even unconsciously. So, you choose synonyms to use when writing, just like when speaking.