Whats the definition of synonym

A synonym is a term, morpheme, or phrase that in a particular language signifies the same as or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase. In the English language, for example, the phrases begin, start, commence, and initiate are all synonyms: they are interchangeable. Substitution is the classic test for synonymy: in a sentence, one form can be replaced by another without affecting the meaning. Extended are synonyms in the context of the prolonged period, but not in the phrase extended family. Synonyms with identical meanings share a seme or denotational sememe, whereas those with inexactly comparable meanings have a broader denotational or connotational sememe, resulting in the semantic overlap. The former are known as cognitive synonyms, whereas the latter is known as near-synonyms, plesionyms, or poecilonyms.

a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language

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