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Shay Singh Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

Is there such a thing as "synonym"?

Hi, I've been pondering recently on the meanings of words and I feel that such a thing as a "synonym" does not actually exist. The word literally translates to

syn- (same) + onoma (name)

i.e. "a word having the same name (or the same sense) as another"

Etymologically, the word refers to another word that has the same meaning (and NOT similar meaning).

I've been thinking about the subtleties of difference in meanings in the supposed synonyms, such as the words "start" and "begin" and I find that the meanings and use-case are different for every "synonym" in the English language that I've come across. Yes words with similar meanings exist, but not with the same meanings.

I'm curious to know what are your views on this? Thank you so much.

  

Top answer

Shay Singh Yes words with similar meanings exist, but not with the same meanings. That's right, and there is more than meaning to consider. Words have tenor, rhythm, register, voice, weight, music and connotation.

— Anonymous

  • Shay Singh Yes words with similar meanings exist, but not with the same meanings.
  • That's right, and there is more than meaning to consider.
  • Words have tenor, rhythm, register, voice, weight, music and connotation.
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2 Answers
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Shay SinghYes words with similar meanings exist, but not with the same meanings.

That's right, and there is more than meaning to consider. Words have tenor, rhythm, register, voice, weight, music and connotation.

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Shay SinghI'm curious to know what are your views are on this?

Starting with a very tight definition of "synonym", there are no synonyms, but as you loosen the definition, more and more synonyms appear.

If two words mean exactly the same thing, one of them will probably disappear from the language,

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