Synonyms are words with the same or similar meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. The word comes from Ancient Greek and onoma . An example of synonyms is the words begin and commence. Likewise, if we talk about a long time or an extended time long and extended become synonyms. In the figurative sense two words are often said to be synonymous if they have the same connotation: