Near synonyms are words or expressions that seem similar but are not exactly identical due to nuances and variations in their meaning.^[1]https://www.slideshare.net/agradjaya/semantic-relation-among-words They help give further depth into what we are saying.

Types of Variations

There are various types of variations that near synonyms can express.

Variation on Emphasis

One of the most common variations of nuance is in the emphasis of the word.

For example:

enemy vs. foe

“Enemy” is a more familiar word that you would use everyday. However, the formal feeling of the word “foe” gives it a more serious or intense emphasis.

• That
  guy is my worst enemy.
  He did something that I can never forgive.
  
• The
  USSR and the USA were bitter foes
  during the Cold War.
  

Stylistic Variations

A common stylistic variation with near synonyms is the level of formality.

For example:

drunk vs. inebriated

“Drunk” is a much more familiar way of speaking. It is a word that you might use when talking with friends. However, “inebriated” is much more formal. It is a word that a police officer might use when describing a situation with regards to a driver having drunk too much alcohol.

• 
  My friend drank too much last night. He got very drunk.
  
• 
  The policeman dealt with a lot of inebriated people over the
  weekend.
  

Emotive Variations

A common use of near synonyms is the different emotive variations.

For example:

daddy vs. dad vs. father

Each level of these words indicated a more formal level of relationship between child and parent. In addition, as you get more formal, the coldness in the relationship becomes more apparent.

• 
  The child yelled “daddy!” when her father got home.
  
• 
  My dad is a very smart.
  
• 
  My father and I have a strained relationship.
  

Take Your English Further

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