ENGLISH
REFERENCE

synonymous

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //səˈnɑnəməs// UK //sɪnˈɒnɪməs// syn·ony·mous

adj. having the same or a very similar meaning as another word. It can also describe two things that are so closely connected that you cannot think of one without the other.

adj. having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or phrase in the same language. In a broader sense, it describes two concepts so closely associated that one implies the other.


SIMPLE

The word 'big' is synonymous with 'large'.

CONTEXTUAL

In many people's minds, the brand name has become synonymous with high quality and luxury.

COMPLEX

While the two terms are often treated as synonymous in casual conversation, technical discourse requires a sharp distinction between 'weather' and 'climate' to avoid scientific inaccuracy.

Antonyms
Origin

From Medieval Latin synōnymus, from Ancient Greek συνώνυμος (sunṓnumos). By surface analysis, synonym + -ous.

Usage

Typically takes the preposition 'with' when connecting two ideas or words.

Pitfall

This word is synonymous to that oneThis word is synonymous with that oneIn modern English, 'synonymous' almost exclusively takes the preposition 'with' rather than 'to'.

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