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
• Example: "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events" (Robert F. Kennedy)

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
• Example sentence: He knew the situation was tense, he didn't know it was explosive.

condition place position shape
setting standing state state of affairs status

reality • Meaning of these synonyms: The state or fact of having reality
• Example sentence: "I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal." (Groucho Marx)

actuality being case certainty
condition existence factor instance materiality
objectivity presence tangibility

biography • Meaning of these synonyms: Past events surrounding a person
• Etymology of BIOGRAPHY: from the Greek words bios meaning "life", + graphein meaning "write"
• Example sentence: "In each biography things are noted, that never happened. People like myths." (Garri Kimowitsch Kasparow)

background career grounding history
life

prospect • Meaning of these synonyms: an event that may occur or something that may be done
• Etymology of PROSPECT: from "pro" = before, forward + "specere, spicere" = to look, to see
• Example sentence: The project managers were simply stunned at the prospect of having to derail their plans.

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.