List of Synonyms sorted by Category

This list of english words (and synonyms) has been arranged by categories: within the categories the sorting is alphabetical. It contains examples for a few 100 words of synonyms; however, the intention is not to replace a thesaurus. For the selection of the words (e.g big, large, great, small, little, go, run, walk, said, say, tell ) 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.

When moving the cursor over the marked words, a tooltip with the meaning of the synonym and some example sentences are displayed.

Size, Magnitude: synonyms for big, great, large, few, small, ...

big • Meaning of these synonyms: being notably above the average in size or magnitude
• Example: 'He avoids big scenes . . . preferring to rely on small gestures and dead-on dialogue' (Peter S. Prescott)

ample Examples: A) There is ample evidence that ... B) He gave me ample reason to leave him.
astronomical broad capacious
colossal
commodious Example: In the western world, commodious vehicles and affordable fuel prices have made cars a mass commodity.
enormous expansive gigantic
grand great huge immense large
mammoth mountainous sizable spacious
stupendous Example: the seemingly stupendous obstacles he had to overcome while being on his own.
substantial tremendous vast

little • Meaning of these synonyms: being significantly below the average in size or magnitude
• Example: 'I don't like it one little bit' he flings to her over his shoulder.

atomic cramped diminutive dinky
exiguous itsy-bitsy limited microscopic miniature
minuscule minute petite puny slight
small tiny wee undersized

famous • Meaning of these synonyms: Distinguished by reputation; widely known and esteemed.
• Example: The teacher admired an equestrian statue of a famous monarch.

celebrated considerable distinguished excellent
famed fine grand great illustrious
marvelous mighty notable noted paramount
powerful predominant preeminent preponderant qualified
remarkable renowned suited superior supreme
noteworthy sublime

popular • Meaning of these synonyms: frequently encountered; widely liked or accepted.
• Example: 'a popular bar patronized by an eclectic collection of artists, writers, secretaries and aging soldiers on reserve duty' (Curtis Wilkie)

accepted by adhered to appreciated approved
common conforming to conventional current customary
established favorite liked prevalent standard
well known widely liked widespread

greatly • Meaning of these synonyms: To an extreme extent or degree; in a great manner.
• Example: Now, though, he is fighting back, above all by greatly beefing up his team.

awful considerably damned darned
dreadfully enormously especially exceedingly exceptionally
excessively extra extraordinarily extremely fabulously
frightfully hellishly highly immensely incredibly
inordinately intensely jolly mighty outrageously
particularly quite rather really remarkably
specially terribly too tremendously very much
a lot of abundant adequate ample bountiful
copious countless exuberant fruitful infinite
lavish lush many much multiple
most numerous opulent prodigal
profuse prolific rampant riotous umpteen
almost a good deal about all but approximately
around as good as diverse enough just about
more or less nearly practically quite a few roughly
several some sufficient various virtually
well-nigh
few dearth of exiguous hardly any infinitesimal
insubstantial insufficient lack of least limited
little minimal minimum meager nominal
paltry paucity of poor rare scant
scarce short of skimpy slight sparse
trifling trivial wanting

Nouns: EXCESS: exceeding what is sufficient / PLENTY: a large amount or quantity or state/ LACK: being less than is desired

excess cornucopia deluge drove fat
flood glut mountain nimiety overabundance
overflow overkill plethora profusion superfluity
superfluousness surfeit surplus trillions wealth
plenty army bushel crowd dozens
group heaps hill host legion
loads lots mine multitude myriad
oodles pack reams scores

lack

 absence dearth defect deficiency
exiguity inadequacy insufficient supply meagerness paucity
poverty rareness scantness scarcity skimpiness
sparseness want

limit

 ambit border border line bottom line
boundary boundary line bounds breaking point brim
brink ceiling circumscription confinement constraint
curbing cutoff point deadline edge end point
extent extreme extremity far out farthest point
fence finality limitation margin maximum
the max the most pale perimeter periphery
pole regulation restriction rim tops
ultimate upper limit utmost verge
far afar aloof apart back
behind detached dislocated distant faraway
out of reach out of sight recede remote removed
retreat separated transfered withdrawn
near abutting adjacent adjoining alongside
beside bordering close by conterminous contiguous
local next to nearby neighbor nigh
peripheral in the proximity surrounding touching in the vicinity

high

 above above and beyond aerial aloft
altitudinal beyond elevated eminent lofty
onto over superior to tall top
upmost upon upward of

low

 abyssal base below beneath
bottom cavernous deep down ground-level
inferior to nether squatty subordinate to subsided
to the ground under underneath

Nouns: MASS: a quantity of items amassed / SIZE: the amount of space occupied by an object

mass abundance amount array assemblage
batch bulk bunch cluster collection
couple crop crowd deal heap
host lot magnitude number parcel
pile portion quantity
size area bulk capacity diameter
dimensions expanse extent girth height
lenght magnitude mass measure proportions
spread volume width

Differentiation: synonyms for certain, complete, important, interesting, ...

Adjectives: CERTAIN: impossible to avoid or evade / QUESTIONABLE: Characterized by indecision; Not known or established

certain assured clear confident of course
definite determined distinct inescapable inevitable
by all means obvious positive proved right on
safebet sure unavoidable undoubted without fail
really actually beyond doubt categorically certainly
de facto easily factually for real genuinely
honestly indeed indubitably in fact legitimately
literally no ifs ands or buts nothing else but of course positively
precisely surely truly undoubtedly unquestionably
verily veritably very well
questionable ambivalent arguable debatable doubtful
dubious farfetched improbable inconclusive indecisive
indefinite irresolute moot noncommittal on the fence
open problematic suspicious uncertain unconvinced
undecided unproven unresolved unsure
complete accomplished all-embracing all-inclusive broad
closed comprehensive concluded done ended
extensive finished fulfilled full overall
perfect wide-ranging far-ranging terminated thorough
total unabridged uncut whole widespread
exact accurate appropriate approved correct
definite faithful just literal meticulous
particular precise proper right rigorous
specific spot-on standard strict thorough
true truthful
suitable acceptable adequate appropriate authentic
becoming bona fide coherent compatible consistent
consistent constant decent decorous desirable
favorable fitting founded genuine in agreement
reliable satisfactory seemly steady uniform
agreement accord affinity alikeness analogy
concord congruity correspondence harmony homogeneity
likeness parallelism resemblance similarity uniformity
difference at odds conflict contention contradiction
contrast deviation difference disagreement discord
discrepancy disparity dissension dissidence dissimilarity
distinction divergence division feud friction
gap hornet's nest incompatibility inconsistency strife
unlikeness variance variation
important considerable critical essential indispensable
necessary needful primary principal requisite
required significant substantial valuable vital
interesting absorbing animated appealing arresting
attractive bright captivating challenging consuming
curious enchanting engaging entertaining enthralling
exciting fascinating inspiring intelligent intriguing
inviting involving keen lively moving
piquant provocative sharp spellbinding spirited
tantalizing

Movement / Place : synonyms for get, keep, move, go, run, walk, slow, ...

get accumulate acquire collect derive
fetch gain gather obtain procure
secure
keep detain guard hold look after
maintain pocket preserve reserve retain
save support sustain withhold
take assume bereave buy capture
catch choose confiscate consume engage
gather grab grasp hold lift
occupy pick prefer purchase recall
remove retract rob seize select
steal win
put assign attach attribute do
effect establish launch locate place
position send set setaside site
situate
move actuate advance budge change
dislocate dislodge drag drift evacuate
exchange fling initiate migrate proceed
progress propel push put in motion relocate
remove roam roll shift shove
shuffle slide slip slither slump
split stagger stir switch tear
transfer transpose traverse whisk wobble

Nouns: PLACE: A particular region or geographic sector / RANGE: A defined area for action, influence, or control

place abode area district domain
dwelling environment field habitat haunt
home locality location lot neighborhood
plot precinct province quarter realm
region residence room set section
site space spot state station
terrain territory tract vault zone
range ambit breadth circle compass
control extension extent horizon influence
orbit purview radius reach realm
scope span sphere spread stretch
come advance appear approach arrive
break through check in emerge land make it
near pop in reach show up
go climb coast crawl creep
cross cruise depart disappear drive
exit fade fly glide head for
hobble hump impel journey jump
leap leave limp mosey paddle
plod prance proceed recede ride
sail scramble scoot ship skedaddle
skim slouch transport travel trip
trot waft
run accelerate bustle dash elope
escape flee flicker flit flitter
flutter gallop hasten hover hurry
race run rush scamper scurry
soar speed sprint urge
walk amble dawdle gad gait
gallivant go forward head for hike jaunt
jog lope march meander pace
perambulate pad promenade prance ramble
range roam rove saunter shimmy
stray stride strike for home stroll strud
swank swagger tiptoe toddle tour
traipse trek trudge waddle wander
stumble bumble flounder lurch pitch
shamble shuffle
fast accelerated alacritous breakneck brisk
celeritous expeditious fleet hasty hurried
hustling lightning-quick nimble quick rapid
responsive speedy swift
slow adagio andante behind creeping
deliberate dilatory gradual laggard late
leaden-footed leisurely slack slow-footed slow-going
sluggardly sluggish snail-like static steady
tardy tortoise-like unhurried

Communication: synonyms for ask, answer, show, say, tell, ...

ask beg beseech demand debrief
entreat examine inquire interrogate petition
plead pled pray propose to query
question quiz request suggest to
answer rejoinder reply respond retort
riposte sass talk back write back
describe characterize couch express formulate
lay out narrate phrase recite record
recount relate report represent term
word
explain account for brief clarify construe
define demonstrate elaborate elucidate explicate
expound get across illuminate illustrate interpret
justify make clear portray spell out
show disclose display divulge emerge
exhibit expose flaunt indicate manifest
materialize note parade point to / out present
prove reveal stage unfold unveil
inform acquaint advise apprise clue in
edify familiarize forewarn fill in notify
post tip off warn wise up
idea aim ambition arrangement aspiration
belief blueprint composition concept contrivance
course of action design device diagram expedient
figure format goal grand design intent
intention maneuver master plan method motif
notion objective opinion pattern perception
picture plan plot procedure proposal
project purpose resolution road-map scheme
strategy system tactics target thought
understanding view way
say allege articulate assert avow
claim contend declare enounce enunciate
maintain mouth profess pronounce speak
sound utter verbalize vocalize voice
tell characterize chronicle communicate delineate
divulge enumerate impart narrate quote
recapitulate recite relate report retell
reveal review spin

Synonyms - Achievement / Action / To Do

The common meaning shared by these nouns is "an extraordinary deed or action"; some denote the qualities or powers in a person, that permit or facilitate achievement.

Do / Make: synonyms for decide, plan, use, sort, action ...

decide adopt agree call shots choose
commit oneself conclude decree determine elect
form an opinion go for opt for pick rule
resolve select settle on take a stand
sort alphabetize arrange catalogue categorize
classify codify collate configure file
grade group harmonize index integrate
interfile order organize position rank
register reorder reorganize size space
systematize tidy type unify
label brand call christen define
denominate designate determine diagnose dub
flag identify imprint price mark
name note sign stamp tab
tag tally term ticket title
plan aim arrange aspire assign
book concoct conspire contemplate contrive
coordinate design devise draft draw up
envisage establish fabricate fix foresee
frame get ready intend intrigue map out
orchestrate organize outline plot prearrange
prepare program register schedule scheme
set up slate straighten take measures take precautions
target think out
think calculate conjecture fancy guess
hypothesize imagine infer intuit presume
presuppose reason reckon speculate surmise
suspect theorize
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
action accomplishment achievement act activity
approach attempt behavior best practice bringing about
composition conduct consummation coup deed
doing effectuation effort enactment endeavor
enterprise execution exercise exploit feat
fruition fulfillment maneuver masterstroke modus operandi
operation performance perpetration play practice
procedure proceeding project realization running
struggle stunt transaction trial undertaking
venture work
do accomplish achieve attain bring about
carry out discharge enact execute effect
fulfill implement perform realize
make assemble build cast cause
compose conceive configure constitute construct
craft create design develop establish
execute fabricate figure forge form
found generate invent knead manufacture
model mold organize originate prepare
produce profile render shape synthesize
work
use access actuate apply avail oneself
bestow bring to bear consume effect employ
establish exercise expend exploit handle
implement make use of operate put into practice put to use
spend utilize wield

Performing an action: synonyms for start, stop, postpone, resume, ...

start activate begin bring forward commence
embark on enter upon get underway inaugurate initiate
introduce kick off launch open originate
set about set into motion start operation to boldly go
stop abandon abolish abrogate annul
avert bar block break up cancel
cease close conclude countermand cut off
dam desist discontinue disrupt eliminate
end expire finalize finish foreclose
forestall give up halt hamper hinder
impede interfere interrupt obstruct obviate
pause preclude prevent quit quash
settle shut down suspend terminate

Verbs: POSTPONE: To delay until a future time / HESITATE: To be slow to act, speak, or decide / RESUME: To go on after an interruption

postpone adjourn dally defer delay
hold off hold over hold up on lay over linger
mull play for time prorogue put off put on hold
put on ice put over remit respite shelve
stall stay stonewall take one's time tarry
temporize
hesitate alternate be irresolute be uncertain blow hot and cold
dither falter hang back seesaw shift
shilly-shally switch vacillate waffle wag
waggle waver whiffle yo-yo
resume beginn over carry on continue forge ahead
go on keep moving pick up proceed progress
recapitulate recommence reestablish reinstate renew
reopen restore return to take up

Verbs: FOLLOW ON: To come after, as, for example, in order or time

follow on effect ensue replace result
succeed supplant supersede supervene

Nouns: RESULT: They denote something, (such as an occurrence, a situation, or a condition) that is brought about by a cause

result breed bring forth bring on bring to pass
cause educe effect effectuate elicit
engender evoke excite get things rolling give rise
impel induce initiate kindle lead to
make mediate occasion open operate
originate precipitate procure produce prompt
provoke set in motion spark spur wreak

List of Synonyms: Event, Situation, Reality, ...

event

 accompaniment concomitant experience circumstance
episode happening incidence incident juncture
manifestation occasion occurrence thing scene

situation

 condition place position shape
setting standing state state of affairs status

reality

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

biography

 background career grounding history
life

prospect

 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 dictonaries can be used, however most of them are either slow, packed with advertisment, or not very helpful concerning their result lists. Here are sites which I tested, and found acceptable:

Synomizer » Synonmys and Antonyms in 5 Languages

Synomix » English Synonmys / 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.