Synonyms in English: Definition, Types, Rules and Examples

There is English and then there is effective English, in which you can articulate your sentences with words that bring out better essence just by picking the ‘right’, ‘just’, ‘equitable’, ‘good’, ‘proper’, ‘ethical’, ‘correct’, ‘accurate’ or even ‘lawful’ words. Wondering why we have used so many similar words? Well, this was just an example of synonyms in English. 

Synonyms in English are the words that have the same or similar meaning in the same language. The use of these words help us to avoid repetitions and make our conversation, both oral or written, more clear and attractive. The use of synonyms allows us to express the same idea in multiple ways, by adapting the tone to its context. 

Indian students who are soon going to take English proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo, having a strong vocabulary can play a central role in their overall success. This is because examiners often look for the range and accuracy in your word choice when assessing spoken and written English tasks, and repeating the same words can limit your score. Hence, one powerful way to improve vocabulary in the language is by mastering synonyms (and antonyms) in the English language. This article presents details on the synonyms meaning, their types, the common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips for using them correctly.

Also Read: Tenses in English Grammar

What are Synonyms in English?

According to Merriam Webster, synonyms in English are - “one of the two or more words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning in the same language”. Some of examples of synonyms are:

1. Begin and Start (verbs)
2. Big and Large (adjectives)
3. Quickly and Rapidly (adverbs)

Note that all these synonyms words have almost the same meanings; however, their uses differ as per the sentence. These synonyms are different in terms of tone, formality, or context. 

Synonyms can be verbs, adverbs, nouns and adjectives; they help to add variation and richness in writing by avoiding repetition and adding clarity. Let us understand the common characteristics of synonyms words in English:

• Synonyms have a similar meaning.

• They can be substituted with one another: This often implies that synonyms of a word can replace it in a sentence without changing its meaning/central idea. 
• Synonyms are context-dependent: This means that for words to be synonyms, they all must have the similar meaning in the same context only, not in a different context. 

Also Read: Simple Present Tense

Types of Synonyms in English

There are three main types of synonyms in English, namely:

• Absolute (or Exact) Synonyms
• Partial Synonyms
• Near Synonyms

All these synonyms differ on the basis of the extent their meanings match with each other in the same language, in the same context. Let us understand these different synonyms types in detail below.

1. Absolute Synonyms

Described by most scholars as “impossible to exist”, the absolute synonyms are the words that have exactly the same meaning in the same context and language. These synonyms can be used interchangeably, i.e. they can substitute for each other in almost every context, without changing the meaning of the sentence. Some examples of absolute synonyms are:

• Cab and Taxi
• Autumn and Fall
• Movie and Film
• Drink and beverage
• Cellphone and Mobile phone
• Close and shut
• Elevator and Lift
• Car and automobile

Note that the Absolute Synonyms are also sometimes referred to as “true” or “perfect” synonyms. 

2. Partial Synonyms

The synonym words that have nearly the same meaning but slight differences. They are separated by the ‘degree’ or ‘amount’ of similarity in meanings. For example, both “good” and “excellent” have the same central meaning but they differ in the extent of goodness being discussed. Therefore, if a word is substituted with one of its Partial synonyms, then this will bring slight difference in the meaning of the sentence; however, its central idea will remain the same. Some examples of the Partial Synonyms are:

• Car and vehicle
• • Explanation: Car refers to a single car or type of transport, however, a vehicle is a broader term used for all types of transport.
• Smart and intelligent
• • Explanation: Smart and intelligent both have the same meaning, however “intelligent” refers to a higher level of intellect.
• Mother and Parent
  • Explanation: Parent is a general term to denote either a mother or father. 
• Big and huge
• • Explanation: Big is a general word for “large size”, however, huge refers to something very large (usually larger than big).

3. Near Synonyms

Near synonyms can be described as words that have different meanings but their meanings can still be associated or related in some sense. These words can have a closely related theme and share a similar subject but they still have different meanings such that their meanings focus on different aspects of those themes. 

Near Synonyms cannot be used interchangeably in a sentence as this may change the meaning of the sentence. For example:

• Mist and Fog
• Smart and Witty
• Hairy and Furry

Also Read: Past Indefinite Tense

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Synonyms in English

There are several mistakes that can be avoided in the use of synonyms in English Grammar such as:

• Overusing the Synonyms: The use of synonyms can be useful to bring clarity to a sentence. However, overuse of synonyms for every common word can disrupt the clarity of sentences and detract the users/readers from its intended meaning.

• Misunderstanding the Context or Connotation: Each synonym carries its own specific connotations and nuances and if we use a synonym without knowing its precise meaning, then it can alter the sentence's intended message.

• Using Unfamiliar Synonyms: Some writers and language learners use synonyms without fully understanding their meanings. This may lead to incorrect usage and awkward phrasing of synonyms.
• Misuse in Academic Writing: Some writers use synonyms in research papers or other technical writing pieces to sound more academic or impressive. However, replacing technical terms with synonyms can distort their meaning.

How to Choose the Right Synonyms in English?

Selecting the right synonyms for your writing or expression is more than opening a thesaurus. Ask yourself the following questions to pick the right synonyms for your sentences in English writing:

1. For Denotation, ask: Does the synonym carry the same literal meaning?
2. For Connotation, ask: Does it share the same emotional tone (positive, neutral, negative)?
3. For Formality, ask: Is the word suitable for academic, professional, or casual contexts?
4. For Audience Expectation, ask: Will your readers understand the meaning of the chosen synonym?

Practical Tips to Use Synonyms Correctly in English

Here are the most effective strategies to choose synonyms correctly:

• Understand their meaning and match it with context: Understand the meaning of the synonym that you pick to use and see whether its meaning matches the theme, context and nuances of your sentence.

• Focus on clarity and avoid repetition: Use synonyms only to bring more clarity and engagement, overuse or replacement of common words in a sentence can lead to confusion or make the sentence overly complex. 

Also check: Present Perfect Continuous Tense

100 Examples of Synonyms

Here is the list of synonyms, differentiated into categories of them being verbs, adverbs, nouns and adjectives:

How Understanding Synonyms Helps You Ace English Proficiency Exams?

English proficiency exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo don’t just test your grammar, they also assess your range of vocabulary and flexibility in expression. Learn how your understanding and knowledge of synonyms can be beneficial for the concerned English tests, below.

• IELTS: In both the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS test, the examiners evaluate your Lexical Resource, which is a measure of how varied and precise your vocabulary is. In this sense, repeating the same word can lower your score. So, use of synonyms like significant, crucial, or vital shows the depth of your vocabulary and helps to boost your band score.

• TOEFL: In the Writing and Speaking tasks of TOEFL exam, synonyms help in avoiding redundancy and making your answers sound more academic. For example, instead of repeating “good” in the whole sentence or context, you could use its synonyms such as - effective, beneficial, or advantageous for more clarity and precision.

• PTE: PTE is a computer-scored test that is scored by both AI and human examiners; hence, the system tracks vocabulary diversity and its contextual accuracy. Therefore, proper use of synonyms can help you score higher in tasks like Essay Writing and Summarise Written Text.
• Duolingo: Short and timed tasks in the Duolingo English Test (DET) demand quick thinking. Hence, the knowledge of synonyms naturally allows you to vary your language under time pressure, showing the examiner (and the algorithm) that you have real good command of English language.

This was all about synonyms in English. If you have any doubts, feel free to drop your queries in the comments below.