Are there any truly perfect synonyms?

jcmack13 · #1 06-13-2005, 01:21 PM

Are there two words that mean completely and absolutely the same thing, including connotation, etc?

I was wondering about adjectival ones, and not just a noun that has multiple names (bobcat/mountain lion, etc.)

And if such a pair (or group) exists, why do we have superfluous words?

sfer · #2 06-13-2005, 01:23 PM

dearth := lack

jcmack13 · #3 06-13-2005, 01:51 PM

The problem with those is that "dearth" does not replace all the uses of "lack" (lack can be a verb) and also, "dearth" can also mean specifically a shortage of food or famine.

I was wondering if two words exist that are always completely interchangeable.

schwza · #4 06-13-2005, 02:30 PM

i would say no, including nouns like bobcat/mountain lion. a mountain lion sounds scarier, even to someone who knows they are identical.

jakethebake · #5 06-13-2005, 02:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
bobcat/mountain lion. a mountain lion sounds scarier, even to someone who knows they are identical.

[/ QUOTE ]

Clearly you have no idea what you're talking about.

battschr · #6 06-13-2005, 02:33 PM

Inflammable means flammable?...WHAT A COUNTRY!!

offTopic · #7 06-13-2005, 02:35 PM

regardless and irregardless

Vince and Smoothcall

scotty34 · #8 06-13-2005, 02:37 PM

gigantic - humongous

YourFoxyGrandma · #9 06-13-2005, 02:38 PM

Yes, er, affirmative.

toss · #10 06-13-2005, 02:39 PM

enormous - massive