In terms of vocabulary, which term can be defined as words with similar meanings?

The term that refers to words with similar meanings is synonyms. Synonyms are words that can be used interchangeably because they convey the same or nearly identical meanings. For instance, "happy" and "joyful," or "fast" and "quick" are examples of synonyms. They enrich language by allowing for variation in expression while conveying the same underlying idea.

The other terms listed encompass different concepts. Antonyms refer to words that have opposite meanings, such as "hot" and "cold." Homonyms are words that sound the same or are spelled the same but have different meanings, like "bat" (the animal) and "bat" (used in sports). Contronyms, on the other hand, are words that can have opposite meanings depending on the context, such as "cleave," which can mean both to cut apart and to stick together. Understanding the difference between these terms highlights why synonyms specifically denote words with similar meanings, making them essential for effective communication.