Synonym

What do you understand from the term Synonymy

Synonym
Def : relationship between words with very similar meanings
-true synonyms are unlikely to survive in any language as one of the synonym will be redundant and will then be replaced by the other.
-Although synonyms are very similar in meanings, they are still different in terms of degree, region, formality and attitudes

differ in meaning in terms of
1) Difference in degree
-words that differ in terms of degree appear to be freely interchangably but actually differ in terms of degree
-however, one of the antonym is stronger than the other.
yell----shout
terror-------fear
astonishment----- surprise
the former word is stronger in terms of degree

2) differences in formality and attitudes
-words that are similar in meanings may be chosen over the other in situations of formality and attitudes.
-some words are more apt than the other depending on context.
For eg :
policeman ---- cop
-Both are referring to the same thing
-however the latter is used in informal situations.
-the earlier is more apt for formal situations
pass away -------- die
- both words have the same referent but out of politeness, pass away would be more appropriate.

3)regional variation

words from different varieties of english but are used to refer to the same thing.
-indexical aspect of language where words that are consistently used in a particular way are regarded as indexical.

for eg :
doughnut ----donut
tube ------ subway
tap ----- faucet

the former words in the above examples are words from British English while the latter, American english.
Used in different parts of the world but are referring to the same thing.