Synonyms are words that are similar to another word or have a related meaning. They can be lifesavers when you want to avoid repeating the same word over and over. Sometimes the word you have in mind might not be the most appropriate word, which is why finding the right synonym can come in handy. Expand your vocabulary with an extensive selection of synonyms examples.
Synonym Examples A-G
Working with synonyms can make your writing more varied and help expand your vocabulary. Build your vocabulary with these synonyms words.
- ability - capability, competence, skill
- achieve - attain, accomplish, realize, reach
- angry - furious, irate, livid
- appreciate - cherish, treasure, value
- baffle - bewilder, confuse, perplex, puzzle
- beautiful - attractive, pretty, lovely, stunning
- bossy - controlling, domineering, overbearing
- but - although, besides, though
- challenge - dispute, question
- cold - chilly, chilled, wintry
- create - generate, make, produce
- cute - adorable, delightful, endearing
- develop - enlarge, evolve, expand, grow
- different - dissimilar, distinct, unusual
- difficult - grueling, hard, strenuous
- effective - functional, operational, successful
- example - illustration, like, such as
- excited - exhilarated, electrified, thrilled
- fair - just, objective, impartial, unbiased
- focus - center, cornerstone, focal point
- fun - entertaining, enjoyable, pleasurable
- funny - humorous, comical, hilarious, hysterical
- goal - intent, purpose, target
- good - acceptable, satisfactory
- great - exceptional, extraordinary
Synonym Examples H-M
Strengthen your communication skills with additional synonyms from the middle of the alphabet.
- happy - content, joyful, mirthful, upbeat
- hardworking - diligent, determined, industrious, enterprising
- hate - abhor, loathe, detest, despise
- honest - honorable, fair, sincere, trustworthy
- however - nevertheless, nonetheless, yet
- hypocrisy - duplicity, falseness, deceit
- important - required, vital, essential, primary, significant, critical
- intelligent - smart, bright, brilliant, sharp
- introverted - shy, bashful, quiet, withdrawn
- job - position, occupation, role
- judge - conclude, determine, decide, gauge
- justify - substantiate, show cause, demonstrate
- journey - trip, travel, trek
- key - critical, crucial, fundamental,
- kind - thoughtful, considerate, amiable, gracious
- knowledge - awareness, comprehension, understanding
- lazy - idle, lackadaisical, lethargic, indolent
- love - attachment, deep affection, paramour
- lucky - auspicious, fortunate, fortuitous
- mean - unfriendly, unpleasant, bad-tempered, difficult
- more - additional, further, supplemental
- money - cash, currency, capital, funds
- negative - fatalistic, pessimistic, refusal
- nice - pleasant, personable, agreeable
- need - require, must-have, necessity
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Synonym Examples N-Z
Continue expanding your vocabulary with more synonyms meanings for common words. Find even more synonyms in the YourDictionary thesaurus.
- old - antiquated, ancient, obsolete, extinct
- opportunity - chance, possibility, shot
- outgoing - friendly, sociable, warm, extroverted
- pacify - appease, placate, mollify
- positive - optimistic, cheerful, starry-eyed, sanguine
- quality - excellent, attribute, characteristic, trait
- question - query, inquire, inquiry
- quote - repeat, recite, price
- qualified - eligible, meets requirements, competent
- quarantine - seclusion, separation, confinement, isolation
- recalcitrant - obstinate, stubborn, ungovernable
- rich - affluent, wealthy, well-off, well-to-do
- strong - stable, secure, solid, tough
- true - genuine, factual, accurate, correct, real
- turbulent - disordered, violent, unsettled
- unhappy - sad, depressed, melancholy, miserable
- valid - authorized, legitimate, authentic
- weak - frail, infirm, puny, fragile
- xenophobia - intolerance, ethnocentrism, isolationism
- yes - agreed, certainly, affirmative, indeed
- youth - minor, youngster, you person
- yummy - delicious, flavorful, tasty
- zealous - ardent, fervent,
- zero - nil, nothing, zilch
- zone - area, region, region, sector
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Choosing a Synonym
There's a certain skill involved in choosing the most appropriate synonym; not all are created equal. The denotative meaning of a word is not all that matters. It is important to consider the connotative meaning of the word because some synonyms can inject a different meaning than what was intended.
For example, one synonym for sad is "gloomy." However, this word carries quite a negative connotation. Depending on the circumstance you can use it, but in this instance, if you just want to say that someone is "down," then another synonym such as "blue" or "unhappy" would be a little less heavy.
Synonym Test
Now that you've reviewed these lists of synonyms, see if you can pass the printable synonym test below. It features a matching exercise along with a complete answer key.
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Additional Resources: Beyond Just Synonyms
The yin to synonym's yang is the antonym: words with opposite meanings. There are many examples of antonyms in the English language. In addition, you can learn more about these two very important vocabulary tools (synonyms and antonyms), plus those tricky homonyms. If you're looking for something a little more suited to the little ones in your family, these examples of all three for kids should do the trick.