Content code
e2572
Slug (identifier)
synonyms
Parent content
Antonyms & Synonyms
Grades
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Secondary I
Secondary II
Topic
English Language Arts
Content
Contenu
Links
Type
Anchor
Title
What Are Synonyms?
Anchor
what-are-synonyms
Type
Anchor
Title
Synonym Uses
Anchor
synonym-uses
Type
Anchor
Title
Synonym Lists
Anchor
synonym-lists
Title (level 2)
What Are Synonyms?
Title slug (identifier)
what-are-synonyms
Contenu
Corps

Synonyms are words that have a similar or identical meanings.

Image
‘‘Sweets’’ and ‘‘candies’’ are synonyms.
Description

Most words have more than one synonym.

Synonyms can belong to any parts of speech. 

Title (level 2)
Synonym Uses
Title slug (identifier)
synonym-uses
Contenu
Corps

Learning synonyms:

  • expands vocabulary

  • improves word choice

  • helps to better communicate ideas

  • improves writing, reading and speaking skills

Corps

Here’s an example that shows how using synonyms can improve a text:

Original text

Improved text

Your new house looks beautiful.
The couches in the living room are so beautiful.
The bedroom wallpaper is very beautiful and the backyard is beautiful.
I’d love to have a house this beautiful one day.

Your new house looks beautiful. 
The couches in the living room are so charming.
The bedroom wallpaper is very elegant and the backyard is breathtaking. 
I’d love to have a house this gorgeous one day.
Title (level 3)
Synonyms and Context
Title slug (identifier)
synonyms-and-context
Content
Corps

Some words have the exact same meaning as other words. In a sentence, they could replace that word and it wouldn’t affect the meaning.

For example:

She is courageous.

She is brave.

I feel tired today.

I feel exhausted today.

I love you.

I adore you.
Corps

However, some synonyms have slightly different meanings and can’t be substituted for another word in a sentence without impacting the meaning. 

This is why it’s important to verify:

  • the context 

  • the meaning of a word before replacing it with another word

For example:

Correct use

Incorrect use

Justification

Let’s make peace.

Let’s construct peace.

Although make and construct are synonyms, construct implies building something by hand, so it cannot be used in this context.

I have thick hair.

I have chubby hair.

Although chubby and thick can be used as synonyms to describe a body type, chubby can’t be used to describe hair.

This glass looks dirty.

This glass looks sweaty.

Although dirty and sweaty can be used to describe someone’s cleanliness, an object cannot be described as sweaty.
Title (level 2)
Synonym Lists
Title slug (identifier)
synonym-lists
Contenu
Corps

Below are examples of synonyms separated into categories. There exist many more synonyms.

Title (level 3)
Physical Descriptions
Title slug (identifier)
physical-descriptions
Corps

regular

slim

beautiful

ugly

short

tall

standard
typical
normal
habitual
conventional

thin
skinny
slender
lean
slim-boned

pretty
attractive
gorgeous
splendid
spectacular

hideous
unattractive
displeasing
awful
grotesque

little
small
tiny
pint-sized
diminutive

big
lanky
giant
leggy
long-legged

fit

fat

clean

dirty

healthy

unhealthy

strong
athletic
robust
toned
muscular

large
colossal
massive
obese
overweight

tidy
pristine
neat
fresh
immaculate

sweaty
filthy
grubby
grimy
nasty

​​well
strong
vigorous
glowing
radiant

ill
pale
sick
unwell
drained
Title (level 3)
Personality Traits
Title slug (identifier)
personality-traits
Corps

calm

outgoing

adventurous

honest

intelligent

organized

low-key
serene
peaceful
relaxed
composed

sociable
gregarious
extroverted
friendly
talkative

bold
courageous
audacious
reckless
intrepid
 

trustworthy
reliable
truthful
ethical
pure

brilliant
quick
bright
smart
clever

coordinated
methodical
disciplined
neat
orderly

authentic

generous

kind

funny

emotional

careful

true
real
genuine
pure
veracious
trustworthy

benevolent
considerate
helpful
unselfish
giving

amiable
cordial
friendly
thoughtful
benevolent

playful
silly
hilarious
humorous
entertaining

sensitive
intense
effusive
passionate
vulnerable

conscious
meticulous
attentive
cautious
thoughtful
Title (level 3)
Emotions
Title slug (identifier)
emotions
Corps

happy

optimistic

indifferent

confused

sad

angry

joyful
pleased
cheerful
glad
merry

assured
confident
hopeful
positive
idealistic

impartial
apathetic
detached
unconcerned
neutral

baffled
puzzled
lost
dazed
bewildered

unhappy
down
somber
gloomy
blue

mad
furious
outraged
irritated
enraged

energetic

relieved

tired

sorry

afraid

worried

animated
invigorated
refreshed
revived
dynamic

reassured
relaxed
appeased
comforted
eased

drained
beat
exhausted
weary
worn-ut

apologetic
regretful
remorseful
ashamed
contrite

scared
terrified
frightened
horrified
petrified

nervous
stressed
apprehensive
uneasy
concerned
Title (level 3)
Verbs
Title slug (identifier)
verbs
Corps

to go 

to arrive

to ask

to say

to love

to think

to depart 
to leave
to move 
to proceed
to walk/drive/fly

to come in
to reach
to get to 
to show up
to appear

to query
to question
to interrogate
to request
to inquire

to speak
to mention
to tell
to voice
to declare

to adore
to care about
to cherish
to be fond of
to treasure

to consider
to ponder
to reflect
to contemplate
to meditate on

to make

to travel

to yell

to whisper

to understand

to look

to create
to produce
to develop
to form
to build

to journey
to tour around
to explore
to trek
to wander

to scream
to shout
to yelp
to cry out
to call out

to murmur
to mutter
to mumble
to breathe
to sussurrate

to comprehend
to grasp
to get
to follow
to fathom

to glance
to gaze
to stare
to watch
to observe
Title (level 3)
People and Relationships
Title slug (identifier)
people-and-relationships
Corps

 person

friend

lover

child

family

colleague

somebody
individual
human
being
man/woman

mate
pal
buddy
ally
fellow

partner
significant other
boyfriend/girlfriend
sweetheart
companion

kid
progeny
offspring
son/daughter
descendant

blood-related
relatives
household
clan
people

associate
workmate
coworker
partner
teammate
Title (level 2)
Synonyms Exercises
Title slug (identifier)
synonyms-exercises
Contenu
Title
Synonyms Exercises
Title slug (identifier)
synonyms-exercises0
Exercice
Synonyms
Largeur de l'exercice
720
Hauteur de l'exercice
720
Title (level 2)
See Also
Title slug (identifier)
see-also
Contenu
Links
Type
Internal
Title
Antonyms & Synonyms
Internal link
/en/students/vl/english/antonyms-synonyms-e2570
Type
Internal
Title
Antonyms
Internal link
/en/students/vl/english/antonyms-e2571
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