Word for ... (Common Synonyms) sorted by Category
This list of synonyms has been arranged by categories (see also the following pages):
within the categories the sorting is alphabetical. It contains examples for the most common 100 words or so of synonyms;
however, the intention is not to replace a thesaurus. For the selection of the words (for example:
(look, see, glance, watch, view, event, situation,
reality, possibility, chance,
... )
the top 50 lists of the most "common words in English" (provided by the makers of the Oxford English Dictionary)
were a preferred inspiration - mostly verbs and adjectives, only rarely nouns and adverbs.
Also, these are not exact synonyms, consider them as grouped in semantic fields -
the reason being to provide a help for inspiration with these 50 examples of synonyms.
Different words which have the same meaning (or similar meaning) are called synonyms.
Words which have an opposite meaning are called antonyms.
Words that are synonyms are referred to as being synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy.
English Synonyms for: Look
| look | behold | contemplate | descry | discern |
| discover | espy | examine | explore | eye |
| gape | gawk | gaze | glance | glare |
| glimpse | inspect | monitor | note | notice |
| observe | ogle | peek | peep | peer |
| perceive | peruse | recognize | scan | scrutinize |
| search for | see | seek | sight | stare |
| study | supervise | survey | track | view |
| watch | witness |
Synonyms for Event, Situation, Reality, Chance ...
event
• Meaning of these synonyms: Something that happens |
accompaniment | concomitant | experience | circumstance |
| episode | happening | incidence | incident | juncture |
| manifestation | occasion | occurrence | thing | scene |
situation
• Meaning of these synonyms: The manner or the circumstances of existence |
condition | place | position | shape |
| setting | standing | state | state of affairs | status |
reality
• Meaning of these synonyms: The state or fact of having reality |
actuality | being | case | certainty |
| condition | existence | factor | instance | materiality |
| objectivity | presence | tangibility |
prospect
• Meaning of these synonyms: an event that may occur or something that may be done |
certainty | chance | contingency | eventuality |
| hope | likelihood | odds | possibility | probability |
Popular Synonyms Lists (also Antonyms)
Often we are looking for another word, to express something we have in mind. Existing online dictionaries can be used; however most of them are either slow, packed with advertisement, or not very helpful concerning their result lists. Here are sites which I tested, and found acceptable:
For further resources related to learning and teaching English, see also here
Synomizer » Synonyms and Antonyms in 5 Languages
Synomix » English Synonyms / Antonyms and a large thesaurus database
Homonyms » a few hundred - on 1 page
A list of words, that are pronounced the same, but are spelled differently, and that have different meanings. Example sentences are provided for each homonym.
The intriguing part about homonyms is that they are the raw material for puns, a truly sublime form of humor.
Humor with & about Words