Synonyms

What is a synonym?

A synonym is a word that means the same or nearly the same as another word.

• big, large, huge, enormous
• happy, glad, cheerful, joyful
• fast, quick, speedy, rapid
• begin, start, launch

Synonyms give you choices. Instead of using the same word again and again, you can pick the one that fits best. That makes your writing more interesting and more precise.

An antonym is the opposite: a word with the opposite meaning. Big and large are synonyms. Big and small are antonyms.

Synonyms for overused words

Some words get used so often that they lose their power. Here are stronger choices.

Shades of meaning

Synonyms are similar, but they are rarely exactly the same. The small differences between them are called shades of meaning.

Think of synonyms on a scale, from weakest to strongest:

cool → cold → freezing → frozen
warm → hot → boiling → scorching
like → enjoy → love → adore
walk → stroll → march → stomp
tired → sleepy → exhausted

Choosing the right shade makes your meaning exact. I’m tired and I’m exhausted tell readers two different things.

Connotation: how words feel

Some synonyms have the same basic meaning but give different feelings. This feeling is called connotation.

My grandmother is thrifty sounds like a compliment. My grandmother is cheap sounds like a complaint. Always think about how a word will make your reader feel.

Choosing the right synonym

1. Check the meaning. Make sure the synonym really fits.
2. Check the shade. Is it too strong or too weak?
3. Check the connotation. Is the feeling right?
4. Check the context. Read the whole sentence. Does it sound natural?

The context, the words around a word, matters. Big and large both work in a big box. But you’d say my big sister, not my large sister, because big sister means older sister.

Using a thesaurus

A thesaurus lists synonyms for words. You can find one in a book or online.

• Look up the word you want to replace.
• Read the list of synonyms.
• Choose one you understand. If you’re not sure, check its meaning in a dictionary.

Be careful: a thesaurus can offer words that don’t fit your sentence. The movie was hot (popular) is not the same as The movie was scorching.

Synonyms help you read

When you meet a new word, look for a synonym nearby. Writers often give clues:

The house was enormous, as big as a castle.

The phrase as big as a castle tells you enormous means very big.

Let’s try some examples

• The tiny kitten curled up in a small basket.
• "Hurry!" Mom shouted. "We need to rush, or we’ll be late!"
• The puppy was thrilled to see us. It was so excited, it spun in circles.

Common mistakes

• Using a fancy word you don’t understand. It’s better to use a simple word correctly.
• Ignoring connotation. Calling a friend stubborn instead of determined can hurt their feelings.
• Swapping every word. Too many unusual words can make writing confusing.

Try it yourself

1. Give three synonyms for funny.
2. Put these in order from weakest to strongest: furious, annoyed, angry.
3. Which word has a more positive feeling: chatty or talkative?
4. Rewrite this sentence with stronger synonyms: The good dog went to the big park.

Answers: hilarious, silly, comical (or amusing); annoyed, angry, furious; talkative (chatty is friendly too, but can suggest too much talking).

Quick recap

• A synonym means the same or nearly the same as another word.
• Synonyms have shades of meaning, from weak to strong.
• Connotation is the feeling a word gives: positive, negative or neutral.
• Use a thesaurus and check context to choose the best synonym.