List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words -
406
SYNONYMS:
type, kind, sort, nature, character, ilk.
These nouns refer to groups of people or things regarded as constituting a
class because of their shared attributes or characteristics.
Type.
in strict usage implies such similarity in traits among members of the group
that the group is clearly and unmistakably distinguished from all others: It
takes all types to make the world
Kind
can refer to a class whose members are linked by innate characteristics:
Material objects are of two kinds, atoms and compounds of atoms.
Often, however,
type
and
kind
, like
sort,
are applied when the resemblance or relationship is not precisely defined: I
don't enjoy that type of show. What kind of people do they think we are? I'm
not that sort of girl.
Nature
in this comparison refers to native or inherent traits: Most of the articles in
the magazine are of a didactic nature.
Character
emphasizes qualities peculiar to individual members of a group: Her criticism
had the character of a bit of kindly advice.
Ilk
refers, often disparagingly, to classification by character, disposition, point
of view, or standing: a larcenous tendency restricted to crooks and others of
that ilk.
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