You can easily find the frequency and distribution of the synonyms of a given word, and see which synonyms are used more in different registers or historical periods. You can also include a synonyms list as part of a longer search string.

NEW: You can also now look at "synonym chains". When you do a single word search, all of the matching synonyms will appear with a [S] after the word. Click on any of these to see the synonyms for that word, and then do it again, and again... This will allow you to follow a particular concept through chains of related meanings (for example, beautiful, then exquisite, then delicate, then sensitive, then mild, etc).

Click on any of the following links in the left-most column to carry out the search. Notice how the form is filled out, and then feel free to modify the form to carry out your own queries.

Examples Explanation Sample words
[=beautiful] Synonyms of beautiful attractive, charming
[=clean].[v*] Synonyms of clean as a verb (base form of the verb) clean, wipe, dust
[[=clean]].[v*] Synonyms of clean as a verb (all forms of the verb) cleaning, wiped, mopping
[[=clean]].[v*] the [n*] All forms of synonyms of CLEAN as a verb + the + a NOUN wiped the seat, mopping the floor
[=smart]
SEC1 = [ACAD]
SEC2 = [SPOK]
Comparison of the frequency of synonyms of smart in ACADEMIC vs SPOKEN (SPOK) ritzy, brainy
(ACAD) vigorous, energetic
[=strong]
SEC1 = [ACAD]
SEC2 = [FIC]
Comparison of the frequency of synonyms of strong in ACADEMIC vs MAGAZINES (ACAD) effective, persuasive
(FIC) burly, sturdy

Of course not all synonyms of a given word will be synonymous in all contexts, so not all of the results will be relevant.

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