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
- nonsynonymous adjective
- nonsynonymously adverb
- synonymously adverb
- synonymousness noun
- unsynonymous adjective
- unsynonymously adverb
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; 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"
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"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
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Unit 4: Powerful Openings
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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.
In portraits in homes and classrooms, in photographs on the front page of the country’s main party newspaper, on lapel badges pinned over citizens’ hearts, Kim’s image became synonymous with the state.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
"Together, these findings reveal a direct molecular link between synonymous codon choice and the control of gene expression in human cells," says co-corresponding author Masanori Yoshinaga.
From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026
That may have been outré to a middle and high-schooler trying to be cool, but at some point post-college, the Chili Peppers became synonymous with sweaty fools passing out in strip mall parking lots.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
The full gamut of emotions synonymous with do-or-die international football was on display as the Republic of Ireland's World Cup dream was left in ruins following a devastating penalty shootout defeat by the Czech Republic.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
I walked past neighbors whose eyes overflowed with desperation and depression, people who had watched their once-proud neighborhood become synonymous with the collapse of the American inner city.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
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.
