Synonym is a term, for any word or phrase,(in any language) which has the same meaning, or may differ slightly. For instance run is a word and sprint, race, dart, are it’s synonyms and vice versa. To understand the difference between synonym and homonym, is important.
Example– Expire(lapse; die) is a homonym and the two ‘expire’ will have different synonyms.
Advantages of having knowledge of Synonyms
Above all, Knowing words in synonymy plays an important role in creative writing . Repeating one word will make your piece, dull and uninteresting and correct use of synonyms will transform your writing from repetitive to imaginative giving it life and creating a vivid picture in reader’s head. It also enhances the essence of your insight in a better way.
Furthermore, thesaurus is a book of synonyms in which you can find and learn different synonyms, but to pull a thesaurus right here, right now, will not be appreciated by many of you. So to begin with we have fished some twenty words out of English because none of us wants to leave puzzled. However, to wrap up, let’s go on a “verbivore” diet!
List of 20 Important Words with their Synonyms
| # | English Word | Synonyms |
| 1 | Bad | evil, immoral, wicked, corrupt, sinful, depraved, rotten, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, harmful, injurious, unfavorable, defective, inferior, imperfect, substandard, faulty, improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, disagreeable, unpleasant, cross, nasty, unfriendly, irascible, horrible, atrocious, outrageous, scandalous, infamous, wrong, noxious, sinister, putrid, snide, deplorable, dismal, gross, heinous, nefarious, base, obnoxious, detestable, despicable, contemptible, foul, rank, ghastly, execrable. |
| 2. | Beautiful | pretty, lovely, handsome, attractive, gorgeous, dazzling, splendid, magnificent, comely, fair, ravishing, graceful, elegant, fine, exquisite, aesthetic, pleasing, shapely, delicate, stunning, glorious, heavenly, resplendent, radiant, glowing, blooming, sparkling. |
| 3. | Calm | quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-headed, unexcited, detached, aloof. |
| 4. | Cry | shout, yell, yowl, scream, roar, bellow, weep, wail, sob, bawl. |
| 5. | Dark | shadowy, unlit, murky, gloomy, dim, dusky, shaded, sunless, black, dismal, sad. |
| 6. | Ask | question, inquire of, seek information from, put a question to, demand, request, expect, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz. |
| 7. | Answer | reply, respond, retort, acknowledge. |
| 8. | End | stop, finish, terminate, conclude, close, halt, cessation, discontinuance. |
| 9. | Enjoy | appreciate, delight in, be pleased, indulge in, luxuriate in, bask in, relish, devour, savor, like. |
| 10. | Explain | elaborate, clarify, define, interpret, justify, account for. |
| 11. | Fair | just, impartial, unbiased, objective, unprejudiced, honest. |
| 12. | Fall | drop, descend, plunge, topple, tumble. |
| 13. | False | fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious. |
| 14. | Famous | well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious. |
| 15. | Fast | quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, lickety-split, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash. |
| 16. | Good | excellent, fine, superior, wonderful, marvelous, qualified, suited, suitable, apt, proper, capable, generous, kindly, friendly, gracious, obliging, pleasant, agreeable, pleasurable, satisfactory, well-behaved, obedient, honorable, reliable, trustworthy, safe, favorable, profitable, advantageous, righteous, expedient, helpful, valid, genuine, ample, salubrious, estimable, beneficial, splendid, great, noble, worthy, first-rate, top-notch, grand, sterling, superb, respectable, edifying. |
| 17. | Happy | pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed. |
| 18. | Look | gaze, see, glance, watch, survey, study, seek, search for, peek, peep, glimpse, stare, contemplate, examine, gape, ogle, scrutinize, inspect, leer, behold, observe, view, witness, perceive, spy, sight, discover, notice, recognize, peer, eye, gawk, peruse, explore. |
| 19. | Popular | well-liked, approved, accepted, favorite, celebrated, common, current. |
| 20. | Think | judge, deem, assume, believe, consider, contemplate, reflect, mediate. |
This list gives you a good reference point for the words which are closely related and can be used in place of each other.
Let’s Practice some synonyms words using the following worksheet. You can download for free.