is synonymous with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is synonymous with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that two or more things mean the same thing. For example, "Luxury is synonymous with extravagance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BlackBerry is synonymous with business.

The Economist

"America" is synonymous with "massacre".

The New York Times

"Leadership is synonymous with identity.

The New York Times - Sports

Harvard is synonymous with excellence.

Harvard University

"It is synonymous with the U.S. Open.

The New York Times - Sports

It is synonymous with picnic.

The New York Times

Atlético is synonymous with workers.

The Guardian - Sport

York is synonymous with history.

The Times

Being imperfect is synonymous with being human.

University of California, Berkeley

Searching the Web is synonymous with Google.

The New York Times

In Italy coffee is synonymous with espresso.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is synonymous with" to clearly establish a strong, almost identical relationship between two terms or concepts. Ensure the context supports this near-equivalence for accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "is synonymous with" when the relationship is merely similar or related, not strictly equivalent. Using it incorrectly can mislead readers. Instead of "optimism is synonymous with naivety", consider "optimism is often associated with naivety".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is synonymous with" functions as a linking expression, explicitly stating that two terms or concepts share the same or nearly the same meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase establishes a relationship of equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

27%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is synonymous with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that two terms or concepts are essentially the same. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used to establish equivalence and clarify meaning. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that the terms truly represent near-identical concepts to avoid misinterpretation. Occurring most frequently in news and academic contexts, "is synonymous with" maintains a neutral to formal tone. Remember, it's a powerful tool when used to accurately and precisely equate ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is equivalent to

Replaces "synonymous" with "equivalent", focusing on a direct correspondence in value or meaning.

means the same as

Clarifies semantic identity between two things.

is the same as

Simplifies the expression to a basic assertion of identity, suitable for less formal contexts.

is tantamount to

Emphasizes the nearly equal effect or value, often used in more formal or legal contexts.

can be interchanged with

Highlights the ability to substitute one term for another without changing the meaning.

is interchangeable with

Implies that terms can replace each other maintaining semantic equivalence.

is another word for

Directly states that the two terms represent the same concept, useful for clarifying vocabulary.

is defined as

Emphasizes the definitional relationship between terms, often used in explanations.

is understood as

Suggests the common or accepted interpretation of something.

corresponds to

Focuses on a matching or analogous relationship, rather than strict equivalence.

FAQs

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

Use "is synonymous with" to indicate that two terms or concepts are essentially the same. For example, "For many, success "is synonymous with" wealth."

What are some alternatives to "is synonymous with"?

You can use alternatives like "is equivalent to", "is the same as", or "is tantamount to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "becomes synonymous with" something else?

Yes, saying something "becomes synonymous with" another thing indicates that the two have grown to be strongly associated over time. For instance, "Over time, that brand "becomes synonymous with" quality."

What's the difference between "is similar to" and "is synonymous with"?

"Is similar to" indicates a resemblance or likeness, while ""is synonymous with"" indicates a near-perfect equivalence. Use "is similar to" when there are shared characteristics, and ""is synonymous with"" when the terms are virtually interchangeable.