Synonyms in Everyday English

By Priyanka Lath

Preparing for competitive exams like GMAT, TOEFL, Civil services or Medical entrances? Whatever it may be, the English language plays a crucial part. Every exam comprises a section to test your language skills. 

One such concept of general English is Synonyms. Synonyms refer to the word which has exactly the same meaning as the word. Simply, they are different words carrying the same meaning. Learning synonyms can enhance your vocabulary and give you an edge over others.

Here in this article, I picked up very commonly used English words and attempted to put forward more than one Synonym of the word.

Below are words, their meaning, its Synonyms, and a sentence formed using the word to explain it better.

1. ABACK (adverb): Taken unaware

Synonyms:

• Surprise
• Thrown of
• Confused
• Thrown off guard

Sentence : I was taken aback to hear the news of his death. 

2. ABANDONED (adjective): left or forsaken by owner or inhibitor

Synonyms:

• Deserted 
• Rejected
• Forsaken 
• Renounced 
• Abdicated
• Waived
• Quit

Sentence: The house was abandoned after rumors of evil in the house.

3. ABANDONEDLY (adverb): helplessly 

Synonyms:

• Powerlessly
• Dependently 
• Feebly 
• Willy-nilly
• Involuntarily 
• Defencelessly 

Sentence: After the outbreak of the COVID-19, the government abandonedly took the decision of complete lockdown all over India.

4. ABANDON (noun): careless disregard of the consequences

Synonyms:

• Impulse
• Recklessness 
• Wildness
• Freedom
• Uninhibitedness
• Unrestraint
• Thoughtlessness

Sentence: People tend to abandon wearing a mask while going out during the outbreak of the pandemic. 

5. ABBREVIATE (verb): shorten

Synonyms:

• Compress
• Prune
• Trim
• Summarize 
• Clip
• Boil down
• A nutshell
• Encapsulate 
• Cut-back 
• Condense
• Abstract 
• Reduce

Sentence: In today’s internet world, youngsters abbreviate almost every word for their convenience. 

6. ABDICATE (verb): give up such as power or responsibility and duties

 Synonyms:

• Renounce
• Give up

Sentence: The king abdicated his kingdom as he followed the path of moksha.

7. ABODE (noun): building or place where one resides

Synonyms:

• Dwelling 
• Habitat
• Flat
• Address
• Den
• Condo
• Domicile
• Crib
• Haunt
• Lodging
• Hearth
• Base
• Crashpad
• Headquarters 
• Hole
• Home
• House
• Sanctuary 

Sentence: A clean home is God’s abode.

8. ABRUPT (adjectives): marked by a sudden change in subject and sharp transitions

Synonyms:

• Disconnected
• Brusque
• Blunt
• Sudden
• Curt
• Short
• Quick
• Gruff
• Precipitous 

Sentence: The car took an abrupt turn before crashing down to the pit.

9. ABSENT (verb): go away, leave, not to be present

Synonyms:

• Missing
• Lacking
• Absentminded
• Committed
• Away
• Gone
• Remove

Sentence: The class looked all dull and inactive because of many students remained absent.

10. ABSTAIN (verb): choose not to consume 

Synonyms:

• Desist
• Refrain
• Forbear
• Avoid
• Shun
• Evade
• Give up
• Withhold 
• Renounce 
• Decline
• Refuse

Sentence: It is advisable to abstain from outside good because of the pandemic. 

11. ABUNDANCE (noun): more than required

Synonyms:

• Plenty 
• Surplus
• Adequate 
• Profusion
• Plethora 
• Plenitude
• Teemingness

Sentence: The government provided fund to the needy in abundance. 

12. ABUSE (noun): inhuman or cruel treatment

Synonyms:

• Maltreatment 
• Ill-treatment 
• Harm
• Ill-usage

Sentence: The rich and powerful people always abused the poor and common people.

13. ABYSS (noun): unfathomable, a deep pit extending below

Synonyms:

• Canyon
• Fissure
• Rift
• Ravine
• Inferno
• Cavity
• Void

Sentence: If you’re an alcoholic, the temptation to drink may seem like a huge abyss.

14. ACADEMY (noun): an institute for the advancement of art, science or literature 

Synonyms:

• University 
• Honorary society
• Conservatoire
• Seminary
• College
• Academy
• School
• Institute 
• Schoolhouse

Sentence: Academy grades are falling despite growing awareness regarding education. 

15. ABOLISH (verb): to do away with

Synonyms:

• Cancel
• Eliminate
• Annihilate
• Delete
• Annul
• Eradicate

Sentence: The government abolished racism and is promoting equality. 

Priyanka Lath

A creative content writer, LinkedIn optimization specialist, and a personal branding expert. She can
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