Synonymous

Synonymous
Synonymous Syn*on"y*mous, a. [Gr. ?; sy`n with, together + ?, ?, name. See {Syn-}, and {Name}.] Having the character of a synonym; expressing the same thing; conveying the same, or approximately the same, idea. -- {Syn*on"y*mous*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster]

These words consist of two propositions, which are not distinct in sense, but one and the same thing variously expressed; for wisdom and understanding are synonymous words here. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Identical; interchangeable. -- {Synonymous}, {Identical}. If no words are synonymous except those which are identical in use and meaning, so that the one can in all cases be substituted for the other, we have scarcely ten such words in our language. But the term more properly denotes that the words in question approach so near to each other, that, in many or most cases, they can be used interchangeably. 1. Words may thus coincide in certain connections, and so be interchanged, when they can not be interchanged in other connections; thus we may speak either strength of mind or of force of mind, but we say the force (not strength) of gravitation. 2. Two words may differ slightly, but this difference may be unimportant to the speaker's object, so that he may freely interchange them; thus it makes but little difference, in most cases, whether we speak of a man's having secured his object or having attained his object. For these and other causes we have numerous words which may, in many cases or connections, be used interchangeably, and these are properly called synonyms. Synonymous words ``are words which, with great and essential resemblances of meaning, have, at the same time, small, subordinate, and partial differences, -- these differences being such as either originally and on the ground of their etymology inhered in them; or differences which they have by usage acquired in the eyes of all; or such as, though nearly latent now, they are capable of receiving at the hands of wise and discreet masters of the tongue. Synonyms are words of like significance in the main, but with a certain unlikeness as well.'' --Trench. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • synonymous — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of a word or phrase) having the same meaning as another word or phrase in the same language. 2) closely associated with something: his name was synonymous with victory. DERIVATIVES synonymously adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • synonymous — index coequal, coextensive, cognate, congruous, equivalent, identical, same, similar, tantamount …   Law dictionary

  • synonymous — c.1600, from M.L. synonymus, from Gk. synonymos (see SYNONYM (Cf. synonym)). Related: Synonymously …   Etymology dictionary

  • synonymous — [adj] equivalent alike, apposite, coincident, compatible, convertible, correspondent, corresponding, equal, identical, identified, interchangeable, like, one and the same, same, similar, synonymic, tantamount; concepts 487,573 Ant. different,… …   New thesaurus

  • synonymous — [si nän′əməs] adj. [ML synonymus < Gr synōnymos: see SYNONYM] of, or having the nature of, a synonym; equivalent or similar in meaning synonymously adv …   English World dictionary

  • synonymous — sy|non|y|mous [sıˈnɔnıməs US ˈna: ] adj 1.) something that is synonymous with something else is considered to be very closely connected with it synonymous with ▪ Nixon s name has become synonymous with political scandal. 2.) two words that are… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • synonymous — syn|on|y|mous [ sı nanıməs ] adjective 1. ) if two words are synonymous, they have the same meaning or almost the same meaning: Frightened and afraid are synonymous. 2. ) if one person, thing, or idea is synonymous with another, there is an… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • synonymous — [[t]sɪnɒ̱nɪməs[/t]] ADJ: usu v link ADJ, oft ADJ with n If you say that one thing is synonymous with another, you mean that the two things are very closely associated with each other so that one suggests the other or one cannot exist without the… …   English dictionary

  • synonymous — UK [sɪˈnɒnɪməs] / US [sɪˈnɑnɪməs] adjective 1) if one person, thing, or idea is synonymous with another, there is an extremely close connection between them, so that you cannot think of one without also thinking of the other wines, cheeses, and… …   English dictionary

  • synonymous — adj. VERBS ▪ be, seem ▪ become ▪ remain ▪ make sth ▪ His deeds had made his name synonymous with victory …   Collocations dictionary

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