"Synonyms" or "Synonymous"

[cbrunny]

If you were to describe two words as having the same meaning, would you describe them as "synonyms" or "synonymous"?

E.g.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonyms.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous.

"Loyal" is synonymous with "devoted."

 

[sdifox]

If you were to describe two words as having the same meaning, would you describe them as "synonyms" or "synonymous"?

E.g.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonyms.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous.

"Loyal" is synonymous with "devoted."

1 and 3 are correct.

 

[lozina]

I'm gonna synomize you

 

[Craig234]

I think if you're referring to the words, treat them as nouns and use synonyms.

If you are referring to the thing the words mean, use synonymous.

"I want to say something is delicious, but need a synonym since I just used delicious."

"Why did you say the dish I called delicious is more scrumptious? That's synonymous with what I said."

 

[smackababy]

I think if you're referring to the words, treat them as nouns and use synonyms.

If you are referring to the thing the words mean, use synonymous.

This is how I always viewed it. You can use synonyms to refer to things that are synonymous in meaning.

 

[DesiPower]

Loyal and devoted sodomy, sodomize... why are we talking about such dirty thing... I don't like it.. ATOT is going down the drain...

 

[bradley]

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous.

Simply stated, this example is incorrect because synonymous is being used as a noun - when it's an adjective. Synonym is a noun and would be correct in your example.

 

[zinfamous]

I'm gonna synomize you

I was not expecting a chuckle from this thread.


<--pleasantly surprised.

 

[Ichinisan]

If you were to describe two words as having the same meaning, would you describe them as "synonyms" or "synonymous"?

E.g.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonyms.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous.

"Loyal" is synonymous with "devoted."

"Synonymous" more specifically states that the two words are synonyms to each other.

 

[Perknose]

1 and 3 are correct.

All three are correct.

Simply stated, this example ["Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous] is incorrect because synonymous is being used as a noun - when it's an adjective. Synonym is a noun and would be correct in your example.

In this example, "synonymous" is correctly used as an adjective.

"Synonymous" more specifically states that the two words are synonyms to each other.

Yes, and in English, the "to each other" in that sentence is correctly implied.

Examples:

Hate and love are antithetical. <------ "To each other" is implied.

Bob and I are buddies. <------ "With each other" is implied.

^^^ No one thinks "Bob and I are buddies", as it stands, is incomplete because it doesn't state "buddies with whom." The exact same principle applies to ""Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous." In English, that they are synonymous with each other is grammatically implied.

 

[CZroe]

It depends.

Person 1: "She said to meet us at the gas station."
Person 2: "No, she said to meet us at the petrol station."
Person 3 "..."
Person 1: "It's synonymous, dipsh!t."
Person 2: "It doesn't matter. You were wrong about what she said! Liar!"
Person 3: "..."
Person 1: "The exact words are what do not matter. Petrol and gas are synonyms."
Person 2: "Nuh uh! Gas doesn't always mean gasoline and petrol is just short for petroleum, which could just as easily mean crude oil or any other stage of petroleum refinement.
Person 3 "..."
Person 1: "Context matters. They are synonymous in the context of refueling stations, Mr. Know-it-all. I'm sure she didn't want us to meet her at the helium factory or the oil refinery."
Person 3: "Guys! Guys! Guys! STFU already! We're here now. Jesus. *exhale* Frickin' idiots."

 

[bradley]

All three are correct.

In this example, "synonymous" is correctly used as an adjective.

I find the sentence incomplete as it stands and dangles. "Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous *with one another.* This represents correct usage to me.

 

[Rakehellion]

If you were to describe two words as having the same meaning, would you describe them as "synonyms" or "synonymous"?

E.g.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonyms.

"Loyal" and "devoted" are synonymous.

"Loyal" is synonymous with "devoted."

They are synonymous. Prefer the active language over the passive.

 

[Craig234]

They are synonymous - the meanings are the same - and they are synonyms - words with the same meaning. Synonymous describes the word, synonym refers to the word.

 

[bradley]

They are synonymous - the meanings are the same - and they are synonyms - words with the same meaning. Synonymous describes the word, synonym refers to the word.

The meaning is the same.... the usage as parts of speech is different. They cannot be used interchangeably.