Synonyms for commonly used words
This list of words (and synonyms) has been arranged in alphabetical order. For the selection of the words, 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.
answer - respond, reply, retort, rejoinder, acknowledge, talk / write back, sass, riposte
amazing - splendid, fantastic, fabulous, wonderful, extraordinary, astonishing,
astounding, phenomenal, breathtaking, overwhelming, marvelous, remarkable, spectacular,
startling, staggering, improbable, incredible, un-believable / -foreseen, / -thinkable, / -imaginable / -anticipated / -expected / -predicted
ask - question, inquire, demand, request, query, interrogate, examine, quiz,
propose to, suggest to / beg, beseech, entreat, pray, plead (pled), petition
begin - launch, start, open, initiate, activate, inaugurate, originate, commence, get underway, set in motion, embark on, kick off
big - enormous, stupendous, gargantuan, huge, large, immense, gigantic, vast, great, colossal, sizable, grand, great, substantial, mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, tremendous, titanic, mountainous
certain - sure, positive, confident, safe bet, determined, definite, clear, distinct, obvious, inescapable, inevitable, unavoidable
certainly - absolutely, assuredly, undoubtedly, definitely, by all means; of course, right on, surely, without fail
complete - closed, ended, finished, concluded, terminated, done, accomplished, fulfilled,
whole, comprehensive, total, unabridged, uncut, wide / far-ranging, broad, ample, widespread, thorough, all-embracing, all-inclusive, overall, extensive, full,
decide - determine, settle, conclude, resolve, decree, rule
make your mind up, settle on, agree, adopt, elect, go for, select, plump, pick, take, opt
describe - narrate, recite, characterize, represent, recount, rehearse, relate, report, record, laid out
difference - dissimilarity, unlikeness, incompatibility, divergence, variation, disagreement, inequity, contrast, distinction, discrepancy
do - perform, execute, accomplish, achieve, enact, carry out, attain, effect, fulfill, discharge
end - stop, finish, terminate, conclude, close, cease, desist, discontinue, halt, quit
exact - accurate, definite, correct, precise, strict, spot-on, literal,
appropriate, suitable, acceptable, proper, approved, accepted, standard, thorough
careful, meticulous, particular, rigorous, faithful, true, truthful, just, right, specific
explain - elucidate, expound, explicate, elaborate, clarify, illustrate, by comparison, justify, account for, interpret, construe
feel - sense, experience, perceive / touch, taste, contact, palpate, caress
- calculate, conjecture, fancy, guess, hypothesize, imagine, infer, intuit, presume, presuppose, reason, reckon, speculate, surmise, suspect, theorize, think
get - acquire, obtain, secure, gain, regain, procure, derive, fetch, accumulate, collect, gather
great - noteworthy, distinguished, marvelous, excellent, fine, superior, qualified, suited, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, mighty
sublime, preponderant, supreme, predominant, paramount, preeminent, noted, celebrated, famed, famous, illustrious, notable, renowned
idea - thought, notion, understanding, opinion, concept, conception, plan, view, belief
important - indispensable, vital, critical, essential, necessary, needful, requisite, valuable, significant, primary, principal, considerable
interesting - absorbing, appealing, animated, attractive, bright, challenging, curious, captivating, engaging, exciting, enchanting, entertaining, fascinating, intelligent, spirited, inviting, intriguing, involving, inspiring, keen, provocative, though-provoking, moving, tantalizing, piquant, lively, spicy, sharp, consuming, arresting, enthralling, spellbinding
keep - retain, withhold, reserve, preserve, maintain, sustain, support, hold
little - small, diminutive, little, miniature, puny, exiguous, dinky, slight, limited, itsy-bitsy, microscopic, minuscule, minute, petite, tiny, wee
look - behold, see, glance, glimpse, sight, watch, note, notice, espy, descry, view, perceive, discern, remarked
gaze, stare, gape, glare, peer, peek, peep, ogle
seek, search for, examine, scrutinize, inspect, discover, recognize, eye, gawk, peruse, explore, study, observe, witness, contemplate, survey
make - found, create, establish, institute, organize, originate, invent, form, construct, design, fabricate, manufacture, produce, build, develop, compose
really - absolutely, actually, admittedly, as a matter of fact, assuredly, authentically, beyond doubt, categorically, certainly, de facto, easily, for real, genuinely, honestly, indeed, indubitably, in effect, in fact, legitimately, literally, no ifs ands or buts, nothing else but, of course, positively, precisely, surely, truly, undoubtedly, unmistakably, unquestionably, verily, well
say - allege, assert, avow, claim, contend, declare, maintain, profess / articulate, enounce, enunciate, mouth, pronounce, speak, sound, utter, vocalize, verbalize, voice
tell - chronicle, communicate, characterize, delineate, describe, divulge, enumerate, impart, narrate, present, quote, recap, recapitulate, recite, relate, report, retell, reveal, review, spin
- acquaint, advise, apprise, clue, edify, familiarize, forewarn, inform, fill in, notify, post, tip off, warn, wise up
walk - promenade, pace, tiptoe, amble, saunter, toddle, stride, hike, jaunt, lope, march, gait,
proceed, go forward, strike for home, head somewhere, tour, trek,
wander, ramble, roam, rove, range, meander, stray, perambulate, stroll, gallivant, gad
Words (Synonyms) for different emotions / feelings / moods / sensations
While browsing through this list at one full swoop you will pick up many words with the same or a related meaning. The list in the middle as a more positive meaning, whilst the 2 lateral lists have a more negative meaning.
sad
desolate
somber
doleful
gloomy
pathetic
mournful
dismal
lugubrious
dreary
bleak
grim
melancholic
angry
incensed
furious
outraged
wrathful
livid
cross
enraged
happy
confident
satisfied
content
calm
convinced
ecstatic
excessive
glorious
splendid
hilarious
overwhelmed
love struck
sybaritic
lunatic
zestful
wry
dazed
fain
whimsical
sanguine
jubilant
cheerful
joyful
fanciful
hopeful
delightful
epicurean
voluptuous
sensuous
humorous
capricious
enchanted
cautious
confused
anxious
exhausted
jealous
hysterical
lonely
guilty
shy
suspicious
wistful
(self-) assertive
doubtful
depressed
ashamed
bored
dull
obtuse
annoyed
disgusted
frightened
scared
startled
alarmed
terrified
frustrated
concerned
troubled
perturbed
disturbed
presumptuous
Synonyms - Praise
Searching for a word or expression similar to "I like it very much". Have a look:
Remarkably excellent
Absolutely gorgeous
A wonderful ...
Impressive
Beyond our wildest dreams
Audacious
Inspired admiration and respect
Finest quality
I really like it
Absolutely stunning
Strikingly attractive
Extraordinary
A very nice ...
Smart
Amusingly clever
A precious gem
Very good
Beauty
Lovely
Incredible
Awesome
Terrific
Splendid
Brilliant
To do - accomplishment, achievement, performance, ability, opinion
explanation, presentation, impression, composition, interpretation, material, prospect, solution
English Synonyms - Words to use instead
Language rescources, for teachers, writers and students of English alike: a list of some commonly used words and their useful synonyms (see also a Transition Words) to increase your vocabulary:
Definition: a synonym is a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or a phrase. Antonyms are words which have the opposite (or nearly opposite) meaning. For example: slow and fast.
A thesaurus is a resource similar to a dictionary that helps writers to search synonyms - as a device to compose a verbose and scintillating text. This list provides some examples of commonly employed synonyms.
Utilizing synonyms is an elegant method to to make a text more pleasant to read. If the same word is used very often in several sentences, it might very well be the case, that this same word should describe something different in each of the sentences. Since synonyms are usually nuanced variations with slightly different meanings, their use will emphasize special characteristics, and thus the text will be more precise.
Students are more likely to use a word in writing and speaking if they have some context when they learn it. Thus, an important aspect of vocabulary buildup is teaching words in related groups. A Students vocabulary is augmented and the writing is enriched when students are encouraged to utilize a variety of synonyms so that readers can "see, taste, and feel" what they write.
Lists: Synonym, Dictonary, Etymology and Thesaurus Resources (Links)
It is extremely difficult to find some language related sites in the "world wide web", which are not plastered with anoying ads. The sites listed below are not 100% advertisement free, but use it (if at all) very discreetly - so far (March 2009).
Synomizer » Synonmys in 5 Languages
Synomix » English Synonmys 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.
WordSmyth » Educational resources » Vocabulary, Dictionary, Synonyms, etc.
Etymology » Online Dictionary » The Online Etymology Dictionary is a dictionary that describes the origins of English language words.
WordWeb » Dictionary and word finder » States on the first page "no annoying adverts". There You GO!!!
ARTFL » University of Chicago » Webster's Dictionary + Roget's Thesaurus + French - English Dictionary + French Conjugator. They use historical editions - but don't be fooled: language is not developing as fast as the internet, older editions are still useful.
OneLook » Reverse Dictionary » The description can be a few words, a sentence, a question, or even just a single word - the Reverse Dictionary will find the word you need (try "expression for emotion").
Now the pages with superfluous and distracting ads, but still more in middle range of what is considered normal in this industry. Not that I consider advertisement as a total evil - but there is a limit ... (and a plethora of adverts certainly affects the loading time of the page).
The American HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language (AHD) » also with Synonyms, Etymolgy, Word Usage, ... » concerning the content: simply the best (there is also a CD-ROM availabe through the usual channels).
Cambridge » Advanced Learner's Dictionary » Also with phrasal words, idioms, etc.
AskOxford » Oxford Dictionaries » of English, Quatations, Experts, First Names, etc.
Dictionary » LEO (Link Everything Online) » Comprehensive German < > English (French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese) online dictionary.
http://thesaurus.reference.com » Thesaurus » A service of ask.com and a dictionary is only one click away.
http://www.merriam-webster.com » Synonyms » and also a Dictonary.
Proverbs & Idioms & Sayings