Definition of: synonymous

(si·non′ə·məs) adjective
Being a synonym or synonyms; equivalent or similar in meaning; closely related or nearly alike in significance. Also syn·o·ny·mat·ic (sin′ə·ni·mat′ik), syn′o·nym′ic (-nim′ik) or ·i·cal.
—sy·non′·y·mous·ly adverb Synonyms: alike, correspondent, corresponding, equivalent, identical, interchangeable, like, same, similar, synonymic. In the strictest sense, synonymous words scarcely exist; rarely, if ever, are any two words in any language equivalent or identical in meaning; where a difference in meaning cannot be easily shown, a difference in usage, often involving connotation, usually exists, so that the words are not interchangeable. By synonymous words we usually understand words that coincide or nearly coincide in some part of their meaning, and may hence within certain limits be used interchangeably, while outside of these limits they may differ very greatly in meaning and use. To consider synonymous words identical is fatal to accuracy; to forget that they are similar, to some extent equivalent, and sometimes interchangeable, is destructive of freedom and variety.