Defining by Synonym

Synonyms are words that have the same basic meaning. Care should be used, however, when using synonyms as a form of definition. Oftentimes two words that have the same basic direct meaning (denotation) may be differentiated by shades of meaning, as between love and compassion (Barnet and Bedau 53). Words, also, often have different emotional connections or connotations. For instance, the words rock and stone have the same denotative meaning, but have very different connotations. Most people would suggest rocks are larger, more jagged, and less valuable than stones, which are felt to be smaller, smoother, and more valuable.

Works Cited

Barnet, Sylvan and Hugo Bedau. Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing: A Brief Guide to Argument. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford St. Martins, 1999.

ENGL1010 Composition I