Synonyms are two or more different words that express the same or similar meaning. For example: raise / rise, fast / fast, small / boy.Synonymy occurs between words with sufficient similarity in their meaning, so that one can replace the other and the meaning of the phrase does not change. For example:

• The dog wags its tail . / The dog wags its tail .
• I lost my glasses . / I lost my glasses .
• I’ll cut my hair . / I’ll cut my hair .

Synonyms differ from antonyms , which are words with opposite meanings. For example: good/bad, high/low, clean/dirty.

The synonymy relationship can be given by its strict (dictionary) meaning or by the connotation that a word can assume in certain contexts. For example, husband and husband are synonymous in any case, but annoying and heavy are not always, since the word heavy , in its basic meaning, only refers to something that has a lot of mass or weight.

To keep in mind:It is common for words with a very concrete or specific meaning to lack synonyms (for example: stethoscope ), while words that express feelings, emotions or rather abstract concepts usually have several (for example:cute/beautiful/graceful).

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Examples of synonyms

What are synonyms for?

Synonyms are useful when writing a text to avoid repetition of the same word or expression without missing the meaning of what you want to convey.

This is especially important when writing texts in which a term becomes very frequent. By using synonyms, we avoid repetition of words and redundancies, thus giving greater clarity and fluency to the written message.

In addition, synonymy is especially relevant in literary texts in general, where each word adds an aesthetic value to the work.

Types of synonymy

Synonymy is usually divided into:

• Full synonymy . The words coincide in their meaning, that is, one can replace the other in the sentence, regardless of the context. For example: dentist/dentist.
• Partial synonymy . Words are synonymous in only one of the senses they have. For example:lady/woman.

However, words often have many shades of meaning and no word can be the perfect equivalent of another in all contexts. That is why many linguists affirm that total and perfect synonymy does not exist. Based on this, according to the meaning of the words and the type of similarity that is established between them, synonymy can be classified as:

• Conceptual synonymy . The words allude to the same concept or referent and could be interchangeable, but different speakers will prefer to use one over the other. For example:bed/bed, boy/child.
• Contextual synonymy . Words can be interchanged only in certain contexts, in which their meanings coincide. For example:boy/small, copy/imitate .
• Referential synonymy . The words refer to the same referent, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. This is what happens, for example, with hyponyms and hypernyms . For example:dance/dance, table/furniture.
• Connotation synonymy . The words do not mean the same thing, but they connote the same thing in some of their senses. For example:Andrés is the Maradona of computers .In this case, the word Maradona functions as a synonym for genius.

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More examples of synonyms

1. Large: monumental, considerable, capital, gigantic, colossal, enormous, grandiose, vast, spacious, extensive, baggy, wide, wide, tall, elevated, outstanding.
2. Happy: happy, amused, pleased, delighted, satisfied, joyous, smiling, proud.
3. To say: to pronounce, to speak, to manifest, to declare, to express, to expose, to mention, to formulate, to announce, to articulate, to count, to assert, to affirm, to give an opinion.
4. House: home, domicile, dwelling, roof, abode, residence, family, lineage, business, society, company.
5. To use: to use, to employ, to handle, to consume, to serve oneself, to benefit, to take advantage of, to apply.
6. Have: possess, hold, have, enjoy, keep, keep, hold, retain, hold, catch, grab, consider, estimate, judge.
7. Sad: afflicted, sorrowful, saddened, sorrowful, sorrowful, sorrowful, troubled, tearful, taciturn, lamentable, deplorable, gloomy, gloomy.
8. Old: old, mature, senile, ailing, long-lived, old-fashioned, ancient, centenary, old, old, outdated, archaic, worn, damaged, tarnished, faded.
9. Alegre: happy, amused, lively, smiling, laughing, jocular, jubilant, funny, festive, vivacious, tipsy.
10. Small: boy, tiny, reduced, short, minuscule, insignificant, low, child, kid, kid, baby.

Sentences with synonyms

1. The young man returned home after work.  The young man returned home from him after work.
2. The leopard is a very fast animal . The leopard is a very fast animal .
3. He arrived famished, he did not know how to satisfy his appetite. He arrived famished, he did not know how to satisfy his appetite.
4. We must add milk to the mixture before taking it to the oven. We must add milk to the mixture before taking it to the oven.
5. He left without saying a single word. He left without uttering a single word.
6. The boss noticed the discontent of the employees. The boss noticed the discontent of the employees.
7. The wrestlers were locked in a contest . The wrestlers engaged in a match .
8. Why don’t you choose a movie to watch at the theater? Why don’t you choose a movie to watch in the cinema?
9. They say that the man will no longer return to his village. They say that the man will no longer return to his town.
10. It is possible that tonight I will pass by your house. It is possible that tonight I will pass by your house.