synonymy.

Sameness or close similarity between word meanings in the relevant sense and context.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• partial synonymy
• near-synonymy

On the page

Partial synonymy allowed the words to overlap without fitting every same phrase.

Near-synonymy did not remove the difference in tone between the alternatives.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: Usually uncountable. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: language analysis, sense distinction, word formation analysis, precise reference. Disciplines: academic writing, linguistics, dictionary and usage analysis. Commonness: uncommon.