synonym /'sin әˌnim/ noun a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language, for example shut is a synonym of close. antonym /'ant әˌnim/ noun a word opposite in meaning to another (e.g., bad and good ). denotation /dē nō 'tā SHәn/ noun the literal or primary meaning of a word, the dictionary definition connotation /kä nә 'tāSHәn/ noun an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning. The word discipline has unhappy connotations of punishment and repression. thesaurus /THә 'sôr әs/ noun 1. a book that lists words in groups of synonyms and related concepts.