What is the word that is used to describe synonym words with slightly different meanings?
August 3, 2009 - 6:07 am
We all know that synonyms are the words with the same or similar meaning. However, some words might have a little negative/positive connotation since they are associated with our feelings. I am trying to remember that exact word that can be used in this context.
euphemism
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Here’s an intelligent article about "close synonyms," but it did not use a specific word to describe them.
http://www.crossculturecom.com/SYNONYMS_OF_THE_WEEK.htm#about
References :
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
euphemism
References :
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
First, let’s be clear on what "euphemisms" are. This may or may not be what you are looking for.
As the American Heritage Dictionary states, a euphemism is "The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive."
So, this IS a case of substituting words or phrases with milder connotations for ones with harsher connotations while referring to the same thing. And euphemisms CAN be synonyms.
However, euphemisms are not DEFINED as being synonymous, and the term "euphemism" is not a name for "synonym words that have slightly different meanings." The name “euphemism” applies to the less harsh term or phrase, not to the word pair with opposite connotations.
It’s also worth noting that euphemisms often are not even remotely close to synonymous with what they replaced. Frequently, that’s the whole point of using the euphemism — to use a little irony instead of a hammer over the head, and maybe to have a little snicker about it.
So, maybe "euphemism" is your word, maybe not. It depends on what you’re REALLY asking. If you want a general name for word pairs with opposite connotations, you will have to look elsewhere; it’s not “euphemism”.
Next, I looked over the site "Ms. Worth" cited, and she’s right, that’s superb and very interesting. That site, like you, mentioned negative and positive connotations. This may be the best you can do to describe the kinds of word pairs you have in mind.
BTW, Here’s another interesting site with an article entitled "Do Synonyms Exist?":
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/do-synonyms-exist/
The premise is that, unless you allow terms with highly SIMILAR but not identical meanings to count, there are no true synonyms, because there are always slightly different connotations. Provocative. (That’s not to say I agree, at least not so quickly. Could that be right? Hmmm.)
I will keep digging a little more, but I don’t recall having heard the kind of term you’re describing.
Update: I’m back. Here’s a little more information from Wikipedia.
"Some lexicographers claim that no synonyms have exactly the same meaning (in all contexts or social levels of language) because etymology, orthography, phonic qualities, ambiguous meanings, usage, etc. make them unique. Different words that are similar in meaning usually differ for a reason: feline is more formal than cat; long and extended are only synonyms in one usage and not in others (for example, a long arm is not the same as an extended arm). Synonyms are also a source of euphemisms."
Again, the idea that there are no synonyms, or at least that none are PERFECTLY synonymous, interchangeable in all cases with not even a slight difference in meaning. If there is a term like the one I THINK you are looking for, this would be one place it would be likely to have shown up. I’m starting to doubt that there is an appropriate one-word English term.
BTW, note that this Wikipedia explanation mentions (some) euphemisms arising from synonyms. There IS a close connection between the ideas, but I don’t think it’s quite the one you’re looking for.
So, I’m wondering if we may need to INVENT a term to do the job you’re asking.
(I say this only HALF tongue-in-cheek.)
References :
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/euphemism
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/do-synonyms-exist/