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You know what it looks like… but what is it called?
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noun
syn·on·y·my
sə-ˈnä-nə-mē 
plural synonymies
1
a
: a list or collection of synonyms often defined and discriminated from each other
b
: the study or discrimination of synonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Unfortunately, veganism and its synonymy to plants have spilled over from food to fashion, whereby anything labeled 'vegan' is thought to be made of plants rather than not made of animals.
Brooke Roberts-islam, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022
Brooke Roberts-islam, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'synonymy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near synonymy
Cite this Entry
“Synonymy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synonymy. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.
Kids Definition
synonymy
noun
syn·on·y·my
sə-ˈnän-ə-mē
plural synonymies
Medical Definition
synonymy
noun
syn·on·y·my
-mē
plural synonymies
: the scientific names that have been used in different publications to designate a taxonomic group (as a species)
also
: a list of these
More from Merriam-Webster on synonymy
Britannica English: Translation of synonymy for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about synonymy
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