A synonym is a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in certain contexts and relates to the relationship that exists between words with closely related meanings.
Synonyms occur in a language in different contexts, such as formal and informal language, like you'd use in conversation vs. a business or academic paper.
In addition, synonyms often have slightly different connotations in relation to context when they're used, even though they might mean the same thing. For example, consider the differences between the terms for money: moolah, greenbacks, cash, currency, and revenues, which all occur in different contexts and levels of formality.
Why is it Important to Use Synonyms in your Writing?
It is important because synonyms can help you enhance the quality of your writing by providing your readers with a crisp and unique outlook of your text. Furthermore, it can also improve both your oral skills and your writing skills, as shown below.
The 60 Most Important Phrasal Verbs for Achieving a B2 to C2 Level of English.
What are the Benefits of Using Synonyms in Writing?
Some of the benefits of using synonyms are that they can:
- Make text much more interesting.
- Help avoid boring text.
- Improves verbal communication.
- Helps to provide a vivid image in the mind of the reader.
- Helps to avoid boring and repetitive text.
For example, instead of using the word “beautiful” several times in your text, you might use synonyms such as “gorgeous,” “stunning,” or “ravishing” to better paint a picture of your description. Using just one word repeatedly will ensure that you will lose the attention of your audience simply out of boredom!
Why Should We Care about Synonyms?
1. To make your writing interesting
Repeating the same word can make writing dull.
- Thank you for your cooperation. We would have failed without your cooperation.
Keep your writing interesting by creating some literary variance with synonyms.
- Thank you for your assistance. We would have failed without your cooperation.
2. To fine-tune your communicative skills.
Remember that synonyms are words that mean, or very nearly mean, the same thing. Those differences can be important. Recognizing the different connotations through context (i.e., the implied meanings) of synonyms will help you to choose the right word, be it in a poem or a business letter.
- The pond was dark /murky. (Choose the word that fits the precise image you want to portray.)
3. To find a rhyming, rhythmic, or alliterative word
To find a word that fits your needs poetically, put a synonym and then use your thesaurus to hunt down a better-fitting synonym.
- A
pieceshard of shrapnel shaved her shoulder blade.
4. To avoid a word you can't spell
There is an old saying "A synonym is "a word that you use when you can't spell the first word you are thinking of."
- My
conscenceconsianceintegrity won't allow it. (If you can't spell conscience...)
It's hard to condone this reason, but, hey, it's not unhelpful.
The Importance of Vocabulary in Language Learning Plus 5 Helpful Study Tips.
Key Points
- Use synonyms to apply literary variance.
- Use the subtle differences in synonyms to fine-tune your message.
- Use your thesaurus to find the word that fits your needs poetically.
Using a thesaurus
A thesaurus is used to group different words with the same meaning (synonyms) and similar words. It is used while writing an e-mail, letter, or paper to find an alternative meaning for words.
Thesauruses can be either in hardcopy (Books) or there are many excellent examples online (See list below)
https://www.thesaurus.com/
https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus
https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-thesaurus
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/thesaurus/
Below is a list of 1000+ principle words and their synonyms. I hope that you find them useful.
Action
- Come — advance, approach, arrive, near, reach
- Go — depart, disappear, fade, move, proceed, recede, travel
- Run — dash, escape, elope, flee, hasten, hurry, race, rush, speed, sprint
- Hurry — rush, run, speed, race, hasten, urge, accelerate, bustle
- Hide — conceal, cover, mask, cloak, camouflage, screen, shroud, veil
- Move — plod, go, creep, crawl, inch, poke, drag, toddle, shuffle, trot, dawdle, walk, traipse, mosey, jog, plug, trudge, slump, lumber, trail, lag, run, sprint, trip, bound, hotfoot, high-tail, streak, stride, tear, breeze, whisk, rush, dash, dart, bolt, fling, scamper, scurry, skedaddle, scoot, scuttle, scramble, race, chase, hasten, hurry, hump, gallop, lope, accelerate, stir, budge, travel, wander, roam, journey, trek, ride, spin, slip, glide, slide, slither, coast, flow, sail, saunter, hobble, amble, stagger, paddle, slouch, prance, straggle, meander, perambulate, waddle, wobble, pace, swagger, promenade, lunge
- Do — execute, enact, carry out, finish, conclude, effect, accomplish, achieve, attain
- Have — hold, possess, own, contain, acquire, gain, maintain, believe, bear, beget, occupy, absorb, fill, enjoy
- Use — employ, utilize, exhaust, spend, expend, consume, exercise
- Get — acquire, obtain, secure, procure, gain, fetch, find, score, accumulate, win, earn, rep, catch, net, bag, derive, collect, gather, glean, pick up, accept, come by, regain, salvage
- Keep — hold, retain, withhold, preserve, maintain, sustain, support
- Put — place, set, attach, establish, assign, keep, save, set aside, effect, achieve, do, build
- Take — hold, catch, seize, grasp, win, capture, acquire, pick, choose, select, prefer, remove, steal, lift, rob, engage, bewitch, purchase, buy, retract, recall, assume, occupy, consume
- Make — create, originate, invent, beget, form, construct, design, fabricate, manufacture, produce, build, develop, do, effect, execute, compose, perform, accomplish, earn, gain, obtain, acquire, get
- Break — fracture, rupture, shatter, smash, wreck, crash, demolish, atomize
- Destroy — ruin, demolish, raze, waste, kill, slay, end, extinguish
- Kill — slay, execute, assassinate, murder, destroy, cancel, abolish
- Cut — gash, slash, prick, nick, sever, slice, carve, cleave, slit, chop, crop, lop, reduce
- Fall — drop, descend, plunge, topple, tumble
- Fly — soar, hover, flit, wing, flee, waft, glide, coast, skim, sail, cruise
- Decide — determine, settle, choose, resolve
- Help — aid, assist, support, encourage, back, wait on, attend, serve, relieve, succor, benefit, befriend, abet
- Mark — label, tag, price, ticket, impress, effect, trace, imprint, stamp, brand, sign, note, heed, notice, designate
Plan — plot, scheme, design, draw, map, diagram, procedure, arrangement, intention, device, contrivance, method, way, blueprint - Show — display, exhibit, present, note, point to, indicate, explain, reveal, prove, demonstrate, expose
- Begin — start, open, launch, initiate, commence, inaugurate, originate
- End — stop, finish, terminate, conclude, close, halt, cessation, discontinuance, cease, halt, stay, pause, discontinue, conclude, finish, quit
- Big — large, enormous, huge, immense, gigantic, vast, colossal, gargantuan, sizable, grand, great, tall, substantial, mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, spacious, stout, tremendous, titanic, mountainous
- Everything that you need to know about the IELTS test.
- Little — small, tiny, diminutive, shrimp, runt, miniature, puny, exiguous, dinky, cramped, limited, itsy-bitsy, microscopic, slight, petite, minute
- New — fresh, unique, original, unusual, novel, modern, current, recent
- Old — feeble, frail, ancient, weak, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, ragged, faded, broken-down, former, old-fashioned, outmoded, passe, veteran, mature, venerable, primitive, traditional, archaic, conventional, customary, stale, musty, obsolete, extinct
- False — wrong, fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious, incorrect, inaccurate, mistaken, erroneous, improper, unsuitable
- True — right, accurate, proper, precise, exact, valid, genuine, real, actual, trusty, steady, loyal, dependable, sincere, staunch, correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt, legal, fair
- Fast — quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, lickety-split, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash
- Slow — unhurried, gradual, leisurely, late, behind, tedious, slack
- Cool — chilly, cold, frosty, wintry, icy, frigid
- Hot — feverish, warm, heated, sweltering, torrid, equatorial, tropical, erotic, passionate, spicy, peppery, pungent, sharp tangy, tart, fiery, flaming, sizzling, charged, burning, seared, chafed´, inflamed, irritated, red, smarting, stinging
- Simplifying Linking Words for Successful Writing. A comprehensive
list and explanation - Quiet — silent, still, soundless, mute, tranquil, peaceful, calm, restful, hushed, inaudible
reticent, reserved, taciturn, secretive, uncommunicative, tightlipped - Noisy — loudly, earsplitting, stentorian, strident, clamorous, boisterous, clangorous, deafening, roisterous, uproarious, pandemoniac
- All — complete, entire, full, gross, outright, perfect, total, utter, whole, any, complete, every, sum, totality, each and every, every bit of, bar none, every single, everything, everyone
- None — nothing, nobody, no one, zero, zilch, no one at all, no part, not a bit, not a soul, not a thing, not any, not anyone, not anything, not one, nonexistent, null
nadir, nil, naught, void, nada, blank, nix - Normal — daily, traditional, familiar, routine, proper, ordinary, typical, everyday, usual, commonplace, natural, classic, standard, general, bona fide, established, habitual, orthodox, prevalent, run-of-the-mill, time-honored, unvarying, average, conventional, customary, common, regular, garden-variety, household, plain, simple, balanced
- Strange — abnormal, aberrant, anomalous, bent, bizarre, deviant, queer, eccentric, freakish, fanatical, odd, eerie, peculiar, weird, unorthodox, nonstandard, atypical, different, irregular, nonconforming, offbeat, unusual, extraordinary, insane, irrational, disorderly, rare, exceptional, extreme, outlandish
- ADVANCED ENGLISH: Enhancing Your Vocabulary with
- Prefixes and Suffixes.
- Descriptive
- Describe — portray, characterize, picture, narrate, relate, recount, represent, report, record
- Difference — disagreement, inequity, contrast, dissimilarity, incompatibility
- Explain — elaborate, clarify, define, interpret, justify, account for
- Idea — thought, concept, conception, notion, understanding, opinion, plan, view, belief
- Look — gaze, see, glance, watch, survey, study, seek, search for, peek, peep, glimpse, stare, contemplate, examine, gape, ogle, scrutinize, inspect, leer, behold, observe, view, witness, perceive, spy, sight, discover, notice, recognize, peer, eye, gawk, peruse, explore
- Story — tale, myth, legend, fable, yarn, account, narrative, chronicle, epic, sage, anecdote, record, memoir
- Tell — disclose, reveal, show, expose, uncover, relate, narrate, inform, advise, explain, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, recount, repeat
- Think — judge, deem, assume, believe, consider, contemplate, reflect, mediate
- Feelings
- Anger — enrage, infuriate, arouse, nettle, exasperate, inflame, madden
- Angry — mad, furious, enraged, excited, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, aroused, inflamed
- Calm — quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-headed, unexcited, detached, aloof
- Eager — keen, fervent, enthusiastic, involved, interested, alive to
- ADVANCED VOCABULARY: The 100 Most Important Words for Achieving a B2 to C2 Level of English.
- Fear — fright, dread, terror, alarm, dismay, anxiety, scare, awe, horror, panic, apprehension
- Happy — pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed
- Hate — despise, loathe, detest, abhor, disfavor, dislike, disapprove, abominate
- Love — like, admire, esteem, fancy, care for, cherish, adore, treasure, worship, appreciate, savor
- Moody — temperamental, changeable, short-tempered, glum, morose, sullen, mopish, irritable, testy, peevish, fretful, spiteful, sulky, touchy
- Sad — miserable, uncomfortable, wretched, heart-broken, unfortunate, poor, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed, dejected, melancholy, glum, gloomy, dismal, discouraged, unhappy
- Scared — afraid, frightened, alarmed, terrified, panicked, fearful, unnerved, insecure, timid, shy, skittish, jumpy, disquieted, worried, vexed, troubled, disturbed, horrified, terrorized, shocked, petrified, haunted, timorous, shrinking, tremulous, stupefied, paralyzed, stunned, apprehensive
- Negative
- Awful — dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant
- Bad — evil, immoral, wicked, corrupt, sinful, depraved, rotten, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, harmful, injurious, unfavorable, defective, inferior, imperfect, substandard, faulty, improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, disagreeable, unpleasant, cross, nasty, unfriendly, irascible, horrible, atrocious, outrageous, scandalous, infamous, wrong, noxious, sinister, putrid, snide, deplorable, dismal, gross, heinous, nefarious, base, obnoxious, detestable, despicable, contemptible, foul, rank, ghastly, execrable
- Crooked — bent, twisted, curved, hooked, zigzag
- Dangerous — perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe
- ADVANCED ENGLISH: The Importance of Mastering Notetaking For
International Exams and Study. - Dark — shadowy, unlit, murky, gloomy, dim, dusky, shaded, sunless, black, dismal, sad
- Dull — boring, tiring,, tiresome, uninteresting, slow, dumb, stupid, unimaginative, lifeless, dead, insensible, tedious, wearisome, listless, expressionless, plain, monotonous, humdrum, dreary
- Fat — stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, plump, full, rotund, tubby, pudgy, chubby, chunky, burly, bulky, elephantine
- Gross — improper, rude, coarse, indecent, crude, vulgar, outrageous, extreme, grievous, shameful, uncouth, obscene, low
- Hurt — damage, harm, injure, wound, distress, afflict, pain
- Lazy — indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish
- Predicament — quandary, dilemma, pickle, problem, plight, spot, scrape, jam
- Trouble — distress, anguish, anxiety, worry, wretchedness, pain, danger, peril, disaster, grief, misfortune, difficulty, concern, pains, inconvenience, exertion, effort
- Ugly — hideous, frightful, frightening, shocking, horrible, unpleasant, monstrous, terrifying, gross, grisly, ghastly, horrid, unsightly, plain, homely, evil, repulsive, repugnant, gruesome
- Positive
- Amazing — incredible, unbelievable, improbable, fabulous, wonderful, fantastic, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary
- Beautiful — pretty, lovely, handsome, attractive, gorgeous, dazzling, splendid, magnificent, comely, fair, ravishing, graceful, elegant, fine, exquisite, aesthetic, pleasing, shapely, delicate, stunning, glorious, heavenly, resplendent, radiant, glowing, blooming, sparkling
- ADVANCED ENGLISH: It`s All About THE WORDS!!!!
- Brave — courageous, fearless, dauntless, intrepid, plucky, daring, heroic, valorous, audacious, bold, gallant, valiant, doughty, mettlesome
- Bright — shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colorful, lustrous, luminous, incandescent, intelligent, knowing, quick-witted, smart, intellectual
- Delicious — savory, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable, toothsome, exquisite
- Enjoy — appreciate, delight in, be pleased, indulge in, luxuriate in, bask in, relish, devour, savor, like
- Famous — well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious
- Funny — humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly
- Good — excellent, fine, superior, wonderful, marvelous, qualified, suited, suitable, apt, proper, capable, generous, kindly, friendly, gracious, obliging, pleasant, agreeable, pleasurable, satisfactory, well-behaved, obedient, honorable, reliable, trustworthy, safe, favorable, profitable, advantageous, righteous, expedient, helpful, valid, genuine, ample, salubrious, estimable, beneficial, splendid, great, noble, worthy, first-rate, top-notch, grand, sterling, superb, respectable, edifying
- Great — noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty
- Mischievous — prankish, playful, naughty, roguish, waggish, impish, sportive
- Neat — clean, orderly, tidy, trim, dapper, natty, smart, elegant, well-organized, super, desirable, spruce, shipshape, well-kept, shapely
- Popular — well-liked, approved, accepted, favorite, celebrated, common, current
- Talk / Speech
- Answer — reply, respond, retort, acknowledge
- 80 Essential Advanced English Phrases to Learn.
- Ask — question, inquire of, seek information from, put a question to, demand, request, expect, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz
- Cry — shout, yell, yowl, scream, roar, bellow, weep, wail, sob, bawl
- Say/Tell — inform, notify, advise, relate, recount, narrate, explain, reveal, disclose, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, enlighten, instruct, insist, teach, train, direct, issue, remark, converse, speak, affirm, suppose, utter, negate, express, verbalize, voice, articulate, pronounce, deliver, convey, impart, assert, state, allege, mutter, mumble, whisper, sigh, exclaim, yell, sing, yelp, snarl, hiss, grunt, snort, roar, bellow, thunder, boom, scream, shriek, screech, squawk, whine, philosophize, stammer, stutter, lisp, drawl, jabber, protest, announce, swear, vow, content, assure, deny, dispute
- Mean (Something) — add up to, affect, be important, be of value, be substantive, carry weight, connote, count, denote, express, imply, intend, involve, signify, spell, stand for, suggest, value, weigh in,
- Unsorted
- Somewhat — a little, sort of, kind of, a bit, relatively, slightly, moderately, to some extent/degree, reasonably, partially, more or less, not much, rather, quite, fairly, by a long shot, by far, rather, significantly, well
- Somehow — in a way, virtually, to a certain extent, in some measure, to some extent, to a certain degree, quasi , in a manner of speaking, effectively, anyhow, anyway, anywise, by hook or by crook, another, howsoever, in any way, somehow or other, someway, by some means
- Definite — certain, sure, positive, determined, clear, distinct, obvious
- Fair — just, impartial, unbiased, objective, unprejudiced, honest
- Important — necessary, vital, critical, indispensable, valuable, essential, significant, primary, principal, considerable, famous, distinguished, notable, well-known
- Interesting — fascinating, engaging, sharp, keen, bright, intelligent, animated, spirited, attractive, inviting, intriguing, provocative, thought-provoking, challenging, inspiring, involving, moving, titillating, tantalizing, exciting, entertaining, piquant, lively, racy, spicy, engrossing, absorbing, consuming, gripping, arresting, enthralling, spellbinding, curious, captivating, enchanting, bewitching, appealing
- Part — portion, share, piece, allotment, section, fraction, fragment
- Place — space, area, spot, plot, region, location, situation, position, residence, dwelling, set, site, station, status, state
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