Synonyms

What are synonyms?  

• A synonym is a word or group of words that means the same (or very nearly the same) as another word or phrase.  
• Synonyms are words that have a similar or related meaning to another word. They can be really helpful when you want to avoid repetition of the same word. Also, sometimes finding the right synonym can come in handy when the word you have in mind might not be the most appropriate word.  

Choosing a Synonym:   

There’s a certain level of skill required in selecting the most appropriate synonym; not all are created equal. It is very important to consider the connotation of the word because some synonyms can inject a different meaning than what was intended.   

Example: 

One synonym for sad is “gloomy.” However, this word can carry a very negative connotation. Depending on the circumstance, it may be used but, in this instance, if you just want to say that someone is “down,” then another synonym such as “blue” or “unhappy” would be a little less heavy.   

Adjectives:  

• The reason is unimportant.  
• The reason is irrelevant.  

Adverbs:  

• He eats fast.  
• He eats quickly.  

Synonyms contrast with Antonyms:  

Example: 

“Bad” is an antonym of “good.” 

“Coward” is an antonym of “hero.”