synonymous
Americanadjective
adjective
-
(often foll by with) being a synonym (of)
-
closely associated (with) or suggestive (of)
his name was synonymous with greed
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of synonymous
First recorded in 1600–10; from Medieval Latin synōnymus, from Greek synṓnymos, equivalent to syn- prefix + -ōnym- “name, word” + -os adjective suffix; see syn-, -onym, -ous
Explanation
If two words are synonymous, they mean the same thing. You tried to convince her that "love" and "chocolate" were not synonymous, but it was no use. In addition to describing words with the same or similar meanings, you can use the adjective synonymous to describe things that are similar in a more figurative way. Summer is synonymous with picnics, playing outside, and days at the beach. Summer is also synonymous with ants, skinned knees, and sunburn!
Vocabulary lists containing synonymous
100 SAT words Beginning with "S"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unit 4: Powerful Openings
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their new away kit uses diamond graphics synonymous with Adidas kits from that decade, including the strips worn by the French side themselves between 1994-96.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Newsom’s concerns represent a divide in views between two top elected officials in a state that has long been synonymous with entertainment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
The California Department of Motor Vehicles, long synonymous with slow lines and bureaucracy — immortalized by the sloths of the Department of Mammal Vehicles in Disney’s “Zootopia” — is expanding its digital services.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
He seems to think that, in the context of nuclear facilities, “civil” is synonymous with “non-enriched.”
From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026
A foedus is a league, or compact, but it is often used as synonymous with lex, and Renaissance commentators on Lucretius interpreted him as talking about the laws of nature.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
