Definition:
A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Adjective: synonymous. Contrast with antonym. See also:
Etymology:
From the Greek, "same name"Examples and Observations:
- "Words are seldom exactly synonymous; a new term was not introduced, but because the former was thought inadequate."
(Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language, 1755) - "Relax? I can't relax! Nor can I yield, relent, or . . . Only two synonyms? Oh my! I'm losing my perspicacity!"
(Lisa, The Simpsons) - "The search for synonyms is a well-established classroom exercise, but it as well to remember that lexemes rarely (if ever) have exactly the same meaning. There are usually stylistic, regional, emotional, or other differences to consider . . .. Two lexemes might be synonymous in one sentence but different in another: range and selection are synonyms in What a nice - of furnishings, but not in There's the mountain -."
(David Crystal, How Language Works, Overlook, 2006) - "Good, excellent, superior, above par, nice, fine, choice, rare, priceless, unparagoned, unparalleled, superfine, superexcellent, of the first water, crack, prime, tip-top, gilt-edged, first-class, capital, cardinal, couleur de rose, peerless, matchless, inestimable,
precious as the apple of the eye, satisfactory, fair, fresh, unspoiled, sound. GKN: over 80 companies making steel and steel products."
(ad campaign for Guest, Keen, & Nettlefolds, Ltd., 1961) - The American Slang Dictionary lists over 400 synonyms for drunk. Here are just a few:
blind
blitzed
bombed
buzzed
capernoited
hammered
high
inebriated
legless
loaded
looped
merry
messed up
nimptopsical
off the wagon
pickled
pifflicated
plastered
ripped
sloshed
smashed
snockered
soused
stewed
three sheets to the wind
tight
tipsy
trashed
wasted
wrecked
Pronunciation: SIN-eh-nims
Also Known As: poecilonym
