Synonyms

They are the words nearly same or similar in meaning at first sight, they seem to mean very much the same thing, but a closer examination reveals important difference in meaning.

Examples :

i.    Accurate, Exact, Precise :

What is accurate must be exact, but exactness does not necessarily mean accurate. An accurate writer is one who aims at exactness. We speak of an exact coincidence. Precise when applied to things is nearly the same as exact, but less extended in significance.

ii.   Allow and Permit :

Allow is used more in the active use to give positive sanction to the action and Permit more in passive sense implies not to hinder him.

iii.   Also, Too, Likewise, Besides :

‘Too’ is more a familiar expression, ‘Also’ has something more specified and formal.

‘Likewise’ implies more connection or agreement between the words it unites and ‘Besides’ is used rather when some additional circumstance is named after others as a kind of after thought and generally to introduce some new clause of sentence.

  iv.    Astonish and Amaze

‘Astonish’ means to effect very strongly with overpowering wonder. ‘Amaze’ conveys the impression of some degree of perplexity or bewilderment.

  v.    Anger and Wrath

‘Anger’ is more correctly applied to the inward feeling, ‘wrath’ to the outward manifestations.

   vi.  Amusement, Entertainment and Recreation

‘Amusement’ is applied to a useful pursuit that pleases and recreates the mind. ‘Entertainment’ conveys the idea of a big show or spectacle. Recreation means refreshment after business or some hectic life suit.

 vii.  Announce, Proclaim and Declare

To ‘announce’ is applied to persons and tidings, but not to opinions. To ‘declare’ and ‘proclaim’ to opinions, but not to persons. To announce is used with reference to the present and to things that are to happen in the near future.

 viii.  Answer and Reply

The first time a question is responded is always called an ‘answer’, but if this, again is ‘answered’ this second answer is called a reply. ‘Answer’ is used to mean something which serves the purpose for which it is said ie., which satisfies the questioner and defeats the opponent. A ‘reply’ is merely something said in return, or by way of an answer to some question or attack.

  ix.   Ask, Request and Beg

‘Ask’ is the simplest form of making a request. ‘Request’ is more polite form of asking and ‘Beg’ is a stronger request.

x.        Genuine and Authentic

A ‘genuine’ book is one, which was written by the person whose name it bears, as the author of it. An ‘authentic’ book is that which relates matters of fact as they really happened.

xi. Suffer, Bear and Endure

‘Suffer’ means some body pain or distress of body or mind. To ‘bear’ or ‘endure’ is to suffer that distress or pain with fortitude.

xii.    Beautiful, Handsome

Beautiful implies some degree of softness and delicacy. Handsome implies the beauty of some person or thing which is trained or cultivated. 

xiii. Completely, Entirely

Completely is used in question of degree, entirely in those of quantity.

xiv.      Confidence, Trust, Reliance

Confidence implies trust, but trust does not imply confidence. We may report trust in a person in whose character we have no confidence. But we can repose confidence only in that man whom we trust. Reliance is only applied to qualities or actions; not in general to persons.

xv.       Distinguish, Discriminate

To distinguish is merely to mark broad and obvious differences, to discriminate is to notice minuter and more subtle difference.

xvi.  Error, Mistake, Blunder

Error is always used to designate some action which is blamed, whether morally or intellectually. It may proceed from nothing but a failure in judgment implying some degree of blame though slight. An error is always a mistake. A mistake may attach no sort of blame to the person who makes it. A blunder implies a mistake which is inconsistent with the knowledge the person possesses.

xvii. Prohibit, Forbid

Prohibit has often a more official character than is implied by forbid, which is often used in relation to private life.

xviii. Gift, Present

Gift is an act of generosity, it contributes to the benefit to the receiver, the present is an act of kindness, courtesy or respect, it contributes to the pleasure to the receiver.

xix.   Illusion, Delusion

Illusion has most to do with the visions of the imagination, it is an idea which is presented before us and which does not exist in reality, delusion with some decided mental deception, a false view entertained of something which really exists.

xx.   Nearly, almost

Nearly is applied to questions of quantity, time and space, almost to questions of degree.

xxi.    Wisdom, prudence

Wisdom consists in the ready and accurate perception of analogies, it consists in the use of best means for the attainment of the most important ends. Prudence is the lower kind of wisdom, consisting in the employment of the best means for the attainment of any end.