become synonymous with

USAGE SUMMARY

"become synonymous with" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something has become closely associated or interchangeable with another thing. Example: In today's society, the term "Google" has become synonymous with the act of searching for information online.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Moyes has become synonymous with vigor.

The New York Times - Sports

Concacaf has become synonymous with corruption.

The Guardian - Sport

His name will become synonymous with bravery.

The Guardian - Film

Since then, my dad has become synonymous with the wind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For Sam, honesty had become synonymous with shame and fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tesh's theme, "Roundball Rock," has become synonymous with the league.

The New Yorker

For now, anyway, Connecticut has become synonymous with basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

Boston Harbor had become synonymous with pollution and neglect.

The New York Times

Soon, though, it may become synonymous with art.

The Guardian - Arts

The name itself – Falluja – has become synonymous with failure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Heartbreak has become synonymous with Gardenhire's Twins in October.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become synonymous with" when you want to emphasize that a strong association has developed over time. For example, 'Over the years, the brand has "become synonymous with" quality'.

Common error

Avoid using "become synonymous with" when you intend to show that one thing caused another. The phrase indicates association, not causation. Instead of 'His success "became synonymous with" hard work', consider 'His success was a result of hard work'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become synonymous with" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with a quality or concept it has come to represent. Ludwig provides examples showing its use to describe how entities or ideas evolve to be strongly associated with certain characteristics or meanings. It illustrates a transformation in perception or association.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become synonymous with" is a commonly used phrase to describe the evolution of a strong association between two things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts. This phrase is particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business writing, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig. When writing, it's crucial to use this phrase to indicate association rather than causation and to emphasize the development of a connection over time. Alternatives like "be considered equivalent to" or "be identified with" can be used for slight nuances in meaning, offering writers flexibility in expressing associations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be considered equivalent to

Focuses on the perception of equivalence rather than the process of becoming.

be regarded as interchangeable with

Highlights the interchangeability aspect, emphasizing that the terms can be used in place of each other.

be identified with

Stresses the association and connection, but may not always imply complete equivalence.

be closely associated with

Emphasizes the strong link between two things, without necessarily implying they are the same.

be likened to

Suggests a comparison where one thing resembles another, rather than becoming identical in meaning.

come to represent

Focuses on the idea of symbolizing or standing for something else.

be tantamount to

Indicates equivalence in effect or value, often used in more formal contexts.

be another name for

Implies that two things are essentially the same, differing only in name.

translate to

Focuses on the result or outcome; implying an equivalency in what something means or leads to.

be analogous to

Suggests a similarity based on analogy, where similar aspects are compared rather than identical meanings.

FAQs

How can I use "become synonymous with" in a sentence?

You can use "become synonymous with" to describe how one thing is now closely associated with something else, such as 'For many, the brand name has "become synonymous with" quality and reliability.'

What can I say instead of "become synonymous with"?

You can use alternatives like "be considered equivalent to", "be identified with", or "be closely associated with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something "is synonymous with" something else, or should I use "become synonymous with"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Is synonymous with" describes a current state of equivalence, while "become synonymous with" describes a process by which that equivalence developed over time.

What's the difference between "become synonymous with" and "be tantamount to"?

"Become synonymous with" indicates a strong association or equivalence that has developed, while "be tantamount to" suggests equivalence in effect or value, often in more formal contexts. The former is about recognition and association; the latter, about consequence or impact.