Exact Synonyms:
* Synonyms: This is the most general term for words with the same or nearly the same meaning.
* Equivalents: This emphasizes that the words are interchangeable in most contexts.
Similar but Not Identical:
* Near synonyms: These words have similar meanings but may have subtle differences in connotation, formality, or usage.
* Close synonyms: This is similar to "near synonyms" but emphasizes a closer degree of similarity.
* Partial synonyms: These words share some but not all of the same meaning.
* Loose synonyms: These words have a general resemblance in meaning but are not considered true synonyms.
Other Related Terms:
* Homophones: Words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings (e.g., "there," "their," and "they're").
* Homographs: Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and may or may not be pronounced differently (e.g., "bat" the animal and "bat" the piece of equipment).
* Polysemes: Words with multiple meanings (e.g., "bank" can refer to a financial institution or the edge of a river).
The best term to use depends on the specific context and the relationship between the words in question.