THE WORDCRAFT DEFINITION DICTIONARY

synonymous

adjective

Having the same or nearly the same meaning, or being closely associated in people's minds.

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Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.

A USEFUL DISTINCTION

Usage note

Synonyms can share a meaning while differing in tone or context. A claim that two things are synonymous does not establish that a factual allegation is true.

SEE IT IN USE

Examples in context

In this sentence, 'begin' and 'commence' are synonymous.
Dictionary practice example.
The class drew a distinction between two characters' plans: one preserved a shared courtyard, while the other replaced it with private storage. Two different diagrams of the first plan were equivalent in function because either showed the same boundaries and access routes. The words courtyard and storage were not synonymous, however, and exchanging them would change the proposal's meaning.
From Speaking Precisely in a Seminar.

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Related meanings

Related words can differ in tone and context; they are not always interchangeable.

Compare the full synonym reference

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Included in the learning path

Speaking Precisely in a SeminarReading 2 / Open lesson

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Test this word in the Comprehensive Synonym Exam
About this entry

This entry is part of the vocabulary collection supplied by GlobalRPh. Definitions are concise study meanings. Examples combine original teaching sentences with selected passages adapted from the supplied study notes; their source is labeled beside each example. A word may have additional specialized or historical senses.

Adapted from supplied vocabulary notes. Example written for WordCraft.

Source study sections: 2.

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