SYNONYMS

Synonyms: A word which has identical meaning is called a synonym.

A selected list of synonyms is given in this chapter.

1. Able – Capable
Able = it conveys a general idea.
Ex: I shall be able to help you when I get money.
Capable = it conveys a particular idea.
Ex: She is capable of teaching English to young children.

2. Abstain – Refrain
Abstain = it is used with reference to a thing .
Ex: Bukola abstained from drugs.
Refrain = it is used with reference to an action.
Ex: We must refrain from criticizing others.

3. Adapt – Adopt
Adapt = adjust
Ex: We have to adapt ourselves to changing times.
Adopt = follow
Ex: I adopted a novel technique in teaching.

4. Assent – Consent
Assent = it refers to an official agreement. 
Ex: The president gave his assent to the bill.
The Minister assented to the proposal.
Consent = it refers to a general agreement.
Ex: Amaka consented to marriage.
He expressed his consent to sell the house.

5. Avenge – Revenge
Avenge = to punish evil doers.
Ex: She avenged the death of her husband.
Revenge = to punish someone to gratify one's grudge.
Ex: I took revenge on tayo for his misdeeds.

6. Banish – Exile
Banish = send away (somebody) out of country.
Ex: The King banished him after he was proved guilty.
Exile = it is sometimes voluntary.
Ex: The poet lived in exile for twenty years.

7. Battle – War – Fight
Battle = it refers to a single fight.
Ex: The king was defeated in the battle.
War = a series of fights or battles.
Ex: The First World War started in 1914.
Fight = a quarrel between two persons or a limited group.
Ex: The five brothers had a big fight among themselves.

8. Beautiful – Handsome – Pretty
Beautiful = refers to a woman.
Ex: Bukola is a beautiful girl.
Handsome = refers to a man.
Pretty = refers to persons or things.
Ex: Susan has a pretty face.

9. Blunder – Mistake – Error
Blunder = a serious or gross mistake in relation to action or policy.
Ex: President Mambo committed a political blunder in his foreign policy.
Mistake = refers to wrong relating to mechanical nature.
Ex: I found several spelling mistakes in his essay.
Error = Pertain to action or policy.
Ex: I notice a number of common errors in magazines and newspapers.

10. Bring – Fetch

Bring = to get something for someone 

Ex: Please bring me a book from the library.

Fetch = to go and bring.

Ex: Could you please fetch me a cool drink?


10. Ceiling – Roof

Ceiling = The inner part of a roof.

Ex: We have to get the ceiling of our house repaired.

Roof = top covering of the house.

Ex: I saw a bird on the roof of my house.


12. Change – Alter

Change = replace one by another.

Ex: My father changed his clothes.

Alter = to modify.

Ex: She altered her blouse.


13. Compare – Contrast

Compare = point out the similarities and differences. 

Ex: Shakespeare compared the world to a stage.

Contrast = point out only differences.

Ex: I found a lot of contrast between Am aka and Dami.


14. Custom – Habit

Custom = relates to society.

Ex: Shaking hands is a custom of Nigeria.

Habit = refers to an individual.

Ex: He has no had habits.


15. Decrease – Diminish

Decrease = due to unknown causes or reason.

Ex: Most of the Nigeria Forests have decreased recently.

Diminish = due to known cause.

Ex: My appetite for food diminished by over - eating.


16. Disability – Inability

Disability = physical deformity.

Ex: Bayo's disability obstructed his progress.

Inability = having no ability to do something.

Ex: She expressed her inability to speak in the public.


17. Discover – Invent

Discover = to find out soothing which has already existed. 

Ex: Columbus discovered America.

Invent = to design or great something for the first time.

Ex: Television was invented by John  Baird.


18. Drown – Sink

Drown = refers to animate things or men.

Ex: She was drowned in the river.

Sink = refers to inanimate things.

Ex: The ship sank in the sea.


19. Enough – Sufficient

Enough = refers to the quantity which brings contentment. 

Ex: They have enough money to spend.

Sufficient = refers to the quantity which brings satisfaction.

Ex: He accumulated sufficient wealth for his daughter.


20. Envy – jealousy

Envy = a feeling of discomfort at other's fortune.

Ex: Susan has developed envy about my success.

Jealousy = a desire to possess what is not our own or I'll-feeling.

Ex: My sister felt a strong jealousy of Amaka's beauty.


21. Excuse – Forgive – pardon

Excuse = to forgive for a slight mistake.

Ex: please excuse me for my coming late.

Forgive = refers to a serious mistake.

Ex: I refused to forgive him for insulting me.

Pardon = refers to a great offence.

Ex: The judge pardoned the criminal.

The president granted pardon to the accused.


22. Expect – Hope

Expect = refers to a good or bad thing.

Ex: I expected a favorable response from my friend.

Hope = refers to a good thing.

Ex: I hope to get first class in my post graduate degree.


23. Expenditure – Expenses

Expenditure = the act of spending.

Ex: I tried to cut down my expenditure.

Expenses = something that is already spent.

Ex: She was paid all expenses by the company.


24. Flock – Herd

Flock = refers to small animals.

Ex: A flock of sheep is grazing in the field.

Herd = refers to large animals.

Ex: I saw a herd of cows in the shed.


25. Freedom – Liberty

Freedom = refers to permanent nature.

Ex: Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental right of a citizen.

My parents gave me freedom to marry any girl that I loved.

Liberty = refers to temporary or permanent nature.

Ex: I used to take liberties with Bukola because she loved me so much.

26. Hasten – Hurry

Hasten = to act with speed.

Ex: My brother hastened me to leave for the meeting.

Hurry = to do a thing quickly.

Ex: president hurried to the airport.


27. Order – Command 

Order = refers to a simple one.

Ex: He ordered me to speak politely.

Command = refers to a more emphatic one.

Ex: The principal commanded the boy to shut his mouth.


28. Kill – Murder – Assassinate

Kill = refers to self - defence or unintentional act. 

Ex: He killed his wife in error.

Murder = killing  a person on purpose.

Ex: The politician was murdered by his opponents.

Assassinate = kill somebody on political grounds.

Ex: The president was assassinated near Lagos.

29. Steal – Rob

Steal = to take away (something) without a person's Knowledge.

Ex: Somebody stole my money.

Rob = to take away my force.

Ex: The thieves robbed her of her jewellery.


30. Value – Price

Value = refers to a personal opinion.

Ex: We must realise the value of time.

Price  = refers to a thing.

Ex: I paid a higher price for the book.


31. Allow – Permit

Allow = signifies a negative action.

Ex: She allowed me to perk my car in her compound.

Permit = Signifies a positive action.

Ex: My father permitted me to read the letter.

32. Admit – Confess

Admit = to acknowledge as true.

Ex: I admitted that I had offended Bayo.

Confess = to admit a guilt.

Ex: He confessed his guilt to the judge.


33. Answer – Reply

Answer = a question is answered.

Ex: I answered all the question in the exam.

I had no answer to her question.

Reply = a letter is replied.

Ex: I replied to her letter.

They did not send a reply to my letter.


34. Attain – Acquire

Attain = to get something by hard work or exertion.

Ex: Anthony attained perfection in teaching.

Acquire = to hold a quality permanently.

Ex: She has acquired proficiency in linguistics.


35. Ancient – Old

Ancient = opposite to modern.

Ex: I am very fond of our ancient Tiv culture.

Old = opposite to new and young.

Ex: My mother is an old woman of sixty.

I love reading old books.


36. Ability – Capacity

Ability = skill in doing something.

Ex: I have ability to express my thoughts very effectively and convincingly.

Capacity = power to hold or achieve.

Ex: Bukola has capacity for entertaining a hundred guests and so she invited all of us to dinner.


37. Begin – Commence – Start

Begin = refers to all occasions and things.

Ex: We must begin the work today.

Commence = refers to official actions.

Ex: The university examination will commence from next month's.

Start = refers to physical movement

Ex: the football match starts at 4pm in Kaduna.


38. Cite – Quote

Cite = refers to things or persons.

Ex: He cited many incidents of dowry death in his speech. 

Quote = refers to only things.

Ex: He quoted several lines of Amadi's speech in support of his argument.


39. Compulsion – Obligation

Compulsion = refers to physical force.

Ex: The minister resigned from his ministry under compulsion.

Obligation = refers to moral judgment or duty.

Ex: paying taxes to the government is our main obligation as citizens.


40. Confer – Bestow

Confer = refers to an act of authority.

Ex: The president conferred titles on eminent scholars. 

Bestow = refers to an act of generosity.

Ex: God bestowed reasoning power on us.


41. Crime – Vice – Sin

Crime = an offence against the law or government.

Ex: Felony is a crime against the law.

Vice = an offence against moral law.

Ex: Drinking is a vice.

Sin = an offence against religion.

Ex: it I a sin to beat animals cruelty.


42. Character – Conduct

Character = the entire personality of a person.

Ex: Obafemi was a man of noble character.

Conduct = the behavior of a person.

Ex: We must safeguard our conduct to get success in life.


41. Contentment – Satisfaction

Contentment = refers to mind.

Ex: Real contentment does not lie in money or wealth.

Satisfaction = fulfillment of one's expectations.

Ex: I have complete satisfaction over the progress achieved by Nigerians in various fields.


44. Contagious – Infectious

Contagious = refers to a diseases spread by contact.

Ex: Small-pox is a contiguous disease.

Infectious = refers to a disease spread through air or water.

Ex: Typhoid fever is an infectious disease


45. Cool – Cold

Cool = refers to pleasant sensation.

Ex: A cool breeze was blowing.

Cold = refers to an unpleasant sensation.

Ex: I cannot endure cold climate.


46. Defend –  protect

Defend ≠ refers to present danger.

Ex: We must defend our nation from foreign attack.

Protect = refers to an unexpected danger.

Ex: A house protects us from natural calamities.


47. Deny – Refuse

Deny = refers to a fact or statement.

Ex: I doubted her innocence.

Suspect = unwillingness to believe as true.

Ex: Nikola suspected my honesty in the case.


49. Event – Incident – Accident

Event = an important occasion.

Ex: Industrial revolution is a great event in the history of England.

Incident = an ordinary happening.

Ex: A reporter is her keen at daily incidents in the society. 

Accident = a tragic happening.

Ex: Omoka died in a fire accident.


50. Famous – Notorious – Renowned

Famous = used in a good sense.

Ex: Nigeria is famous for music.

Notorious = used in a bad sense.

Ex: He is notorious for his smuggling activities.

Renowned = used for higher reputation.

Ex: The Okoro is a renowned Nigeria short story writer.


51. House – Home

House = a dwelling place or residence.

Ex: My uncle built a new house in Kaduna.

Home = a residence with pleasant memories.

Ex: Our's is a happy home based on love and co-operation.


52. Hear – Listen 

Hear = an involuntary action.

Ex: Do you hear the song?

Listen = a deliberate action.

Ex: I tried to listen to her words.


53. Idle – Lazy

Idle = refers to something created by circumstances.

Ex: I remained idle for long due to my physical deformity. 

Lazy = refers to something created by habit.

Ex: She is always lazy in her work.


54. Libel – Slander

Libel = refers to something printed it written. 

Ex: Her statement amounted to libel.

Slander = refers to something spoken.

Ex: They heard her remarks and they wanted to take an action for slander.


55. Oral – Verbal

Oral = refers to spoken words.

Ex: She was qualified in the oral test.

Verbal = refers to written words.

Ex: I found several verbal differences in his letter.


56. Possible – probable

Possible = refers to something likely to take place.

Ex: It is possible that she will come today.

Probable = Chance of taking place.

Ex: It is probable that Funke will marry.


57. Praise – Admire

Praise = commend a person for what he does.

Ex: He was praised for his bravery.

Admire = commend a person for what he is.

Ex: I admire Bukola for her brilliance.


58.Recollect – Remember

Recollect = call to mind with effort.

Ex: I tried to recollect a poem by Tagore.

Remember = call to mind effortlessly.

Ex: I remember saying "I like you" to Bayo.


59.Regret – Sorrow

Regret = Sorrow for a thing done earlier.

Ex: I felt regret in liking Bukola.

Sorrow = Caused by some tragic incident.

Ex: I expressed my deep sorrow at her uncle's sudden death.


60. Substitute – Replace

Substitute = replace new things by old ones.

Ex: I must substitute my new house for the old one.

Replace = replace old things by new one.

Ex: I have to replace my old typewriter by a new one.


61. Seem – Appear

Seem = it means having comparison or similarity.

Ex: Amina seems to be an air-hostess.

Appear = look like.

Ex: She appears worried about something.


62. Sight – Scenery – Scene

Sight = faculty of vision, a visible object or view.

Ex: Ibadan is noted for its beautiful scenery.

Scene = a place where an event or accident takes place.

Ex: The president arrived on the scene immediately.


63. Shade – Shadow

Shade = a sheltered place from the sun.

Ex: We sat in the shade of a tree.

Shadow = a dark figure of some human being or an object.

Ex: I saw Hafsat's shadow on the wall.


64. Trade – Commerce

Trade = refers to something small or large Scale.

Ex: My uncle trades in gold.

He started a trade and be com very rich.

Commerce = refers to something large scale only.

Ex: Nigeria maintains commerce with other nations.


65. Vacant – Empty

Vacant = refers to a post or job or house.

Ex: A teacher post became vacant in the college.

Empty = refers to a thing.

Ex: I asked her for an empty bottle to fill it with water to drink on my way.


66. Ill – Sick

Ill = unhealthy.

Ex: My father fell ill.

Sick = state of being subjected to some disease.

Ex: The sick should be looked after well.


67. Presume – Assume

Presume = a belief based on imagination.

Ex: I presume she will love me.

Assume = a belief which has some ground or reason.

Ex: it is assumed that there must be a solution to the problem of over–population.


68. Prohibit – Forbid

Prohibit = refers to official disapproval.

Ex: Hunting is strictly prohibited in tho area.

Forbid = refers to personal affairs.

Ex: My father forbade me from smoking cigars.


69. Say – Tell – Speak

Say = to tell a particular thing.

Ex: to tell a particular thing.

Ex: Shakespeare says that love is blind.

Tell = to give the news.

Ex: She will tell you about it.

Speak = To express one's views.

Ex: I want to speak with you now.


70. See – Look – Watch

See = an involuntary action.

Ex: You can see everything, if you have eyes.

Look = a deliberate action.

Ex: I looked at Bukola with admiration.

Watch = to look at something with a purpose.

Ex: I watched cricked match with excitement.


71. Anger – Resentment – Fury – Indignation

Anger = refers to a sudden emotion.

Ex: She expressed anger at her sister's remark.


72.  Astonishment – Wonder – Surprise

Astonishment = surprise in highest degree.

Ex: Amina expressed astonishment at her father's abnormal cruelty.

Wonder = a feeling of surprise with curiosity.

Ex: I wonder at her brilliance in mathematics.

Surprise = a feeling of sudden excitement.

Ex: I was surprised at her decision to remain unmarried.


73. Bravery – Courage – Valour – Boldness – Daring

Bravery = refers to an action.

Ex: He showed a GRE deal of bravery in the war.

Courage = refers to moral strength.

Ex: Nigeria kings are noted for their val our in critical conditions.

Boldness = Courage without any aim.

Ex: His daring in life placed him in dangers.


74. Desire – Want – Wish – Need – Yearn

Desire = a strong mental longing for a thing.

Ex: I have an intense desire to marry Bukola.

Want = a plain liking for a thing or person.

Ex: Human wants are unlimited.

Need = refers to something that is very essential.

Ex: Nigeria needs the educated youth for her progress. 

Yearn = a vain and unfulfilled desire for what is impossible.

Ex: I yearned for Funke's attention.


75. Falsehood – Lie

Falsehood = something said or done with a desire to Cheat.

Ex: She was accused of falsehood by her husband.

Lie = a deliberate action of speaking untrue words.

Ex: Amina told me a lie that she hadn't loved me.


76. Grateful – Thankful

Grateful = refers to an act of generosity.

Ex: We are grateful to our parents for the love they show towards us.

Thankful = refers to an act of simple favor.

Ex: She us very thankful to the manager for granting her a leave for two weeks.


77. Watch – Witness

Watch = to keep a vigilant eye on a person.

Ex: I watched my son with love and admiration.

The police watched the criminal carefully.

Witness = the act of watching an incident to give evidence in a court.

Ex: My father did not witness my progress as a writer. 

I asked her to be a witness in the court.


78. Redress – Relief

Redress = remedy.

Ex: The victims of the accident must seek redress from the company.

Relief = a kind of help based on compassion.

Ex: The president agreed to provide relief to the floor victims.

79. Reverence – Respect – Veneration

Reverence = refers to religious matters.

Ex: I have great reverence for pastor matters.

Respect = shown to an elderly person or parents.

Ex: We must respect our mother who have given birth to us.

Veneration = a deep sense of respect.

Ex: We must show veneration for our national leaders who brought us freedom.


80. Illegal – Unlawful

Illegal = not allowed by law.

Ex: He was accused of illegal activities.

Unlawful = not in line with law.

Ex: He employed unlawful methods to earn money and became very rich.











Comments

Popular posts from this blog

AIRTEL RCCG

AIRTEL CCP

AIRTEL CUG