Synonyms are words that have a similar or identical meanings.
Most words have more than one synonym.
Synonyms can belong to any parts of speech.
Learning synonyms:
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expands vocabulary
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improves word choice
-
helps to better communicate ideas
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improves writing, reading and speaking skills
Here’s an example that shows how using synonyms can improve a text:
|
Original text |
Improved text |
|
Your new house looks beautiful. |
Your new house looks beautiful. |
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. |
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:
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the context
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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. |
Below are examples of synonyms separated into categories. There exist many more synonyms.
|
regular |
slim |
beautiful |
ugly |
short |
tall |
|
standard |
thin |
pretty |
hideous |
little |
big |
|
fit |
fat |
clean |
dirty |
healthy |
unhealthy |
|
strong |
large |
tidy |
sweaty |
well |
ill |
|
calm |
outgoing |
adventurous |
honest |
intelligent |
organized |
|
low-key |
sociable |
bold |
trustworthy |
brilliant |
coordinated |
|
authentic |
generous |
kind |
funny |
emotional |
careful |
|
true |
benevolent |
amiable |
playful |
sensitive |
conscious |
|
happy |
optimistic |
indifferent |
confused |
sad |
angry |
|
joyful |
assured |
impartial |
baffled |
unhappy |
mad |
|
energetic |
relieved |
tired |
sorry |
afraid |
worried |
|
animated |
reassured |
drained |
apologetic |
scared |
nervous |
|
to go |
to arrive |
to ask |
to say |
to love |
to think |
|
to depart |
to come in |
to query |
to speak |
to adore |
to consider |
|
to make |
to travel |
to yell |
to whisper |
to understand |
to look |
|
to create |
to journey |
to scream |
to murmur |
to comprehend |
to glance |
|
person |
friend |
lover |
child |
family |
colleague |
|
somebody |
mate |
partner |
kid |
blood-related |
associate |