Sample Synonym, PDF

What is a Synonym?

A synonym is a term or word that has a similar or nearly similar meaning to another word. It is derived from a combination of the Ancient Greek “syn”, meaning “together”, and “onoma”, which means “name.” Synonyms come in all parts of speech such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and many others. They are fundamental literary and vocabulary tools that are widely used in everyday language by many individuals and professionals such as authors, editors, English language teachers, writers, students, and many others to avoid redundancy in words and make the language more captivating and interesting to the public. 

Use synonyms to replace dull words with stronger connotations as they help you paint a better picture or visualize an idea furthermore. They play an integral role in word choice and usage for both prose and poetry which contain creative, descriptive, and expressive words. If you need to look for a synonym of a certain word, a thesaurus is a comprehensive dictionary or an in-depth reference filled with synonyms that you can freely use for your reflective essay, self-introduction speech, or any other documents. 

Different Types and Terms of Synonyms

Several synonyms have the exact same definition or meaning, while others have nearly exact or almost related meanings. There are different types and terms of synonyms that you need to know as some similar words have a variety of applications and uses. 

Absolute Synonyms: Also known as perfect synonyms, absolute synonyms are types of synonyms that can be used to substitute one word for the other in any context in which their common sense stands for without change to truth value or meaning. These words mean exactly the same thing, having no difference in definition. This type of synonym is very rare because it can lead to repetition in language. Use absolute synonyms interchangeably as you replace a word with its synonym without altering its message. Some examples of absolute synonyms are drink – beverage, chair – seat, someone – somebody, elevator – lift, insect – bug, and identical – indistinguishable.Partial Synonyms:These synonyms are words that mean almost the same thing, having only slight differences based on the amount or degree. For example, “good” and “excellent” are considered partial synonyms that have varying degrees. When you use a partial synonym, the meaning of the word will change a little, but the key message still remains. Partial synonyms can differ in their collocation, register, and regional or social variation. For instance, the words autumn (British English) and fall (American English) have similar meanings but they differ in regional or social variety. Other examples of partial synonyms are the words buy (general term) and purchase (formal use) as they have similar meanings but they differ in their register.Near-Synonyms:There are some words that can express a myriad of attitudes, connotations, and implications aside from their actual meanings derived from dictionaries. They are called near-synonyms, words that denote different yet related meanings. Near-synonyms are more prevalent than absolute synonyms. In this case, you can’t use these synonyms interchangeably or substitute them in every context because replacing a word with a near synonym can affect the meaning and style of your text, and transform the message you want to convey to your audience. That’s why it is fundamental that you carefully think about using the proper word that precisely conveys the desired meaning and avoids unwanted implications. Consider the criteria when using near-synonyms in a proper context based on dialect, formality, connotation, collocational pattern, and semantic preference. Some common examples of near-synonyms are goal – purpose, objective; repair – mend; smart – witty; river – creek; and hairy – furry.Homonyms:These are words that are pronounced the same or spelled the same but have different meanings or both. There are two types of homonyms: homophones and homographs. Homophones are terms with different meanings and different spelling but have similar pronunciations such as the words their, there, their, and they’re. While homographs are terms with different meanings but have similar spellings like lead (metal) and lead (to guide). Polysemy: It refers to a single word that has several meanings. Unlike synonyms, you can’t use polysemy words for substitution because a single polysemic word has multiple meanings that can cause ambiguity to your reader. Polysemy is often used for making hidden meanings or for wordplay. For example, wing – animal parts for flying and a section of a building.

Best Online Synonym Dictionaries and Websites

Do you need to search for synonyms that you can use for your community college essay, speech, or a journal report? Here is a list of the best online synonym dictionaries and websites that you can use for your work.

The Visual Thesaurus®: If you want a synonym and construct word maps or clusters of related words, use The Visual Thesaurus®. It is an all-inclusive and interactive dictionary and thesaurus that helps you create word maps that expand to additional meanings and related terms. It helps you to visually navigate semantically-related word groups. Thesaurus.com:This website provides synonyms and other related words while categorizing them according to their complexity and length and if they are used in formal or informal settings. It also offers one of the highest numbers of results for a word. Go to this website to explore the menu bar for meanings, games, word of the day, and an informative guide to enhance your learning and writing skills. Plus, it shows some examples of sentences with the word so that you will know how to use it and you can also discover other related words. Merriam-Webster Thesaurus: As an online dictionary and thesaurus, it provides you with clear definitions, synonyms, related words, near antonyms, and many others. They also show several related phrases and citation aid to guide you in crafting your material. Use the website or download its app version available on Android and iOS. Collins Dictionary: This online dictionary also includes a thesaurus and translator. Use this tool to learn how to pronounce the different synonyms. Plus, it features a video located at the bottom part of each word to guide you in proper pronunciation. Word Hippo: Access this website if you need to collect more synonyms. It has a clean and simple user interface design to help you type a word and choose synonyms from a wide array of options available on this website. It also indicates which part of speech the word is for some context. Additionally, this tool brings out synonyms of your keyword in different contexts.

How to Use Synonyms Properly

Students, academic researchers, scholars, newbie authors, and writers often experience many issues and problems in using synonyms effectively in a sentence. Learn how to use synonyms properly for your writing.

Step 1: Select the Perfect Word

While some languages around the world have only one word for one meaning, English uses a myriad of words to convey a single meaning, each has its own subtle distinction. Choose the exact word in your writing based on the degree level that you want it to be. For instance, good, fine, and excellent are all similar words that have subtle differences: fine (a lesser degree of good) and excellent (a greater degree of good). This aspect is essential if you are writing a persuasive essay.

Step 2: Avoid Word Repetition

Include the right synonyms to avoid using the same word over and over again. Your reader might lose interest in your research paper or other forms of writing when you use redundant words. Use elegant variation which is a method to alternate synonyms for variety. Try using other near-synonyms or use specific words related to the word in your material. Your writing becomes more dynamic and interesting when you alternate the synonyms for each new sentence or clause.

Step 3: Paraphrase to Prevent Plagiarism

Plagiarizing one’s work can ruin the professional credibility of a person. That’s why writers and editors correctly cite, reference, and paraphrase to prevent plagiarism in their works. Replace the original idea with actual synonyms and make sure that you decipher the original idea while using the words that express the same meaning.

Step 4: Use the Best Online Synonym Dictionaries and Websites

Explore the internet and look for the most well-recommended online synonym dictionaries and websites to help you in building your pool of synonyms. Some of the best online dictionaries and websites for finding synonyms are Thesaurus.com, Synonym.com, Synonym Finder, Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, The Free Thesaurus, Collins Dictionary, Power Thesaurus, Reverso Dictionary, The Visual Thesaurus®, and Word Hippo.

FAQs

What are some examples of synonyms?

Some examples of synonyms are as follows: bad – awful, terrible, and horrible; good – fine, great, and excellent; cold – chilly, freezing, and frosty; easy – simple, convenient, and effortless; hard – difficult, challenging, and tough; big – large, huge, enormous, and giant; small – tiny, little, and mini; soft – comfy, delicate, and fluffy; beautiful – alluring, charming, and wonderful; amazing – awesome, fascinating, and incredible; fly – soar, hover, and wing; funny – amusing, humorous, and laughable; happy – contented, delighted, pleased, and satisfied; hurt – afflict, damage, and distress, and many more.

Why is using synonyms important?

It is important to use synonyms because these words help to improve the writing quality and give readers a fresh and outstanding view of the text. It can also level up both speech and writing skills.

What are the benefits of using synonyms in speaking and writing?

Some of the major benefits of using synonyms are to make the text more catchy and interesting to your target audience, enhance communication between you and others, help the readers to visualize the content effectively, and prevent monotone in speaking and writing.

What are the best synonym dictionaries and websites available out there?

The best synonym dictionaries and websites that you can use for your work and other projects are Thesaurus.com, Synonym.com, Synonym Finder, Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, The Free Thesaurus, Collins Dictionary, Power Thesaurus, Word Hippo, The Visual Thesaurus®, and Reverso Dictionary.

What are the different types of synonyms?

The different types of synonyms are absolute synonyms, partial synonyms, near-synonyms, homonyms, and polysemy.

In order to broaden your vocabulary and better communicate your ideas, take note of the essential points in using synonyms. Familiarize yourself with the different types and terms of synonyms and examples of synonyms in sentences so that you are able to demonstrate topics with more clarity and lucid language. Using appropriate synonyms in your speech and writing is crucial to give your audience an enjoyable reading journey. If you are struggling to find the correct word to avoid word redundancy, Sample.net offers a unique collection of sample synonym PDF templates and other document samples that you can easily download and use for your work such as a sample text PDF, a drama proposal, or a writing assessment report.