Synonyms and Metaphors: Meaning and Usage

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Examination of the Terms
The areas of overlap in their meanings
Areas where the Terms have Deviance in Meanings
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Synonyms and metaphors are powerful writing tools that are used to express persuasion and comparison in figurative writing. They are used interchangeably to describe a wide range of phenomena. Although most synonyms and metaphors have many similarities with respect to their meanings, their uses vary distinctively. For instance, metaphorical synonyms are widely used in rhetorical criticism to enhance persuasiveness. This essay provides a critical interpretation of the five most popular synonyms and metaphors by exploration of the various areas of overlap and deviance in meaning based on their applicability in figurative writing.

Examination of the Terms

The term change can be examined from different angles due to its nature of assuming different meanings. The Oxford Dictionary defines change as the act of substituting one thing for another or the ideal the succession of one thing by another (Stevenson 2113). In a greater exposition, anything that has undergone change is said to have acquired some new noticeable traits that can be differentiated from its original state. From a different point of view, change refers to the act of replacing one thing reciprocally with another. Moreover, change also refers to the act of acquiring a new state that is different from the normal state.

Development can be examined from different points of view based on the reference subject matter that leads to adjustment. First, the word can refer to unfolding of something due to a different state. In this case, development entails shifting something from an elementary position to an advanced or a potentially contained position. Moreover, the term can be used to refer to gradual advancement of something from a low status to a higher status through progressive states (Stevenson 4034). Consequently, the subject assumes a new condition that has advanced properties as compared to its original rudimentary state.

Precisely, evolution is a term that signifies the progression of a series of events that occur in a thing. In this case, there is formation of a new thing due to a variety of modifications that lead something to undergo various progressive stages. In addition, evolution also refers to the gradual process that takes place in a system, institution, subject, or a product. The word can also be used to refer to the progression of a thing from its simple to a complex form through accumulation of modifications over a certain period.

On the other hand, growth has several meanings based on the subject matter. Firstly, growth refers an increase in size because of natural improvement in living organisms. Growth can also be used to denote an increment in magnitude, quantity, or degree of a thing. In a different perspective, the term is used to refer to the gradual progression of an entity or institution such as the economy, firms, and/or products among others.

Lastly, transformation is a term that assumes different meanings based on its contextual use. It can be used to mean the act of changing in shape, form, or appearance of a thing.

The areas of overlap in their meanings

The above critical examination of the five terms reveals they exhibit various overlaps in meanings based on their applicability. For instance, change means the substitution of an item or the alteration of an item to acquire a new noticeable state. The implication of development, growth, transformation, or evolved is that something has undergone a certain change; hence, it acquires features that make it different from its original state.

Development also implies the growth of something (Stevenson 4035). In this case, development becomes a synonym for growth. For instance, when referring to living organisms, growth and development are used interchangeably. However, growth refers to the increase in size development refers to the gradual variations that change something from a rudimentary state to a progressively advanced state.

Similarly, other terms such as evolution and transformation have various overlaps in meaning. Evolution involves the gradual natural development of living organisms from simple to complex forms. This change is known as transformation since the organisms undergo changes of their form, shape, or appearance. The above processes of evolution and transformation are accompanied by a change in the state of the organisms features.

Growth and development can be used to refer to the progressive advancement of a thing from a lower status to a higher status. This meaning can apply when referring to a product or economic progression. Transformation can be used to refer to gradual change of the economic status. On the other hand, evolution can refer to the process of gradual modification of the economy or the product over a certain period (Stevenson 2302).

Areas where the Terms have Deviance in Meanings

Despite the meaning overlaps, the aforementioned terms have significance deviances in meanings where they are used to explain distinct scenarios. For instance, change can refer to shifting of an object from one place to another or replacement of a thing with another (Stevenson 2115). Development, evolution, growth, and transformation do not indicate any positional alteration of an object. They refer to emergence or acquisition of new qualities, states, and capacities by the object. In addition, change can refer to the instant alteration state of thing while evolution, growth, development, and transformation refer to the gradual variations that occur over a certain length of time.

Furthermore, development, transformation, evolution, and growth define processes that involve several changes over time. However, each term can be used to refer to specific changes based on the subject matter. Developments that occur in a living organism over a long time eventually result in transformation. Further transformational development leads to evolution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the aforementioned synonyms and metaphors overlap or differ in meaning depending on their applicability in figurative writing. From the above discussion, it is evident that synonyms and metaphors can be used interchangeably to bring about the same or different meanings based on their various contextual uses. Therefore, writers ought to understand synonymic and metaphorical areas of overlap and deviance to avoid cases of ambiguity that can lead to lose of meaning.

Works Cited

Stevenson, Angus. Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.

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