synonymous with

USAGE SUMMARY

"synonymous with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two words that have the same meaning. For example, "cozy" and "comfortable" are synonymous with one another.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

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

Wahhabism became synonymous with terrorism.

The Economist

"It's almost synonymous with laundry".

The New York Times

"Leadership is synonymous with identity.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's synonymous with basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

Synonymous with talent, greatness.

The Guardian - Books

He's synonymous with Christmas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You're synonymous with sideburns.

The Guardian - Music

Greyness is back, synonymous with competence.

The Economist

Thus "civilized" is nearly synonymous with "urban".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "synonymous with" to clearly establish that two terms or concepts have the same or very similar meaning. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures your audience understands the equivalence you're highlighting.

Common error

Avoid using "synonymous with" for extremely obvious equivalencies. Overuse can make your writing sound verbose. In such cases, a simple "is" or a more direct phrasing is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "synonymous with" functions as a prepositional phrase used to establish equivalence between two terms or concepts. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to clarify meaning and relationships. The AI confirms that the usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "synonymous with" is a prevalent prepositional phrase employed to establish equivalence between terms, ensuring clarity and precision in writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Analysis of usage patterns indicates that it appears frequently in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. When seeking alternatives, "equivalent to", "interchangeable with", and "tantamount to" offer similar meanings. While overuse in simple equivalencies should be avoided, mastering its application enhances communication by eliminating ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equivalent to

Indicates a direct and interchangeable relationship, emphasizing equal value or meaning.

interchangeable with

Highlights the ability to use terms or concepts in place of each other without altering the meaning.

tantamount to

Suggests that something is virtually the same as another, often implying equal significance or effect.

identified with

Emphasizes a strong association or alignment, often implying a sense of recognition or connection.

associated with

Indicates a general connection or relationship, without necessarily implying complete equivalence.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity, often used to compare related but not identical concepts.

comparable to

Highlights the ability to draw parallels or make comparisons between two things.

symbolic of

Indicates that something serves as a representation or emblem of something else.

representative of

Suggests that something stands for or typifies a larger group or concept.

reminiscent of

Implies a similarity that evokes memories or associations with something else.

FAQs

How to use "synonymous with" in a sentence?

Use "synonymous with" to show that two terms have the same or very similar meaning. For example, "'cozy' is "synonymous with" 'comfortable'". Ensure the terms are genuinely interchangeable to avoid misleading the reader.

What can I say instead of "synonymous with"?

You can use alternatives like "equivalent to", "interchangeable with", or "tantamount to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "synonymous with" or "synonymous to"?

"Synonymous with" is the correct and standard usage. "Synonymous to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use the preposition "with" to indicate that two terms share a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "synonymous with" and "associated with"?

"Synonymous with" indicates that two terms have essentially the same meaning and can be interchanged. "Associated with" implies a connection or relationship, but not necessarily equivalence. For example, "success is "synonymous with" hard work" suggests they are nearly the same, while "success is associated with hard work" means hard work often leads to success but isn't the only factor.