Metonymy vs. Synecdoche — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Metonymy is a figure of speech where one word is replaced by another word closely associated with it. Synecdoche is a specific type of metonymy where a part of something represents the whole, or the whole represents a part.
Difference Between Metonymy and Synecdoche
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Metonymy and synecdoche are both figures of speech used to describe a thing indirectly, but they function differently. Metonymy replaces the name of one thing with the name of something else closely related to it, but not necessarily a part of it. Synecdoche, on the other hand, uses a part of the whole to represent the whole, or the whole to represent a part.
For instance, in metonymy, you might say "The White House issued a statement," where "The White House" is used to represent the U.S. government. In synecdoche, you might say "all hands on deck," where "hands" actually mean the sailors or people on the ship.
Metonymy can be more expansive in scope, as it can involve broader associations like cause and effect, or object and user. Synecdoche is more restricted, focusing only on part-to-whole or whole-to-part relationships. For example, "The pen is mightier than the sword" is metonymic because it substitutes "pen" and "sword" for "writing" and "military power," whereas saying "nice wheels" to compliment someone's car is a synecdoche.
The terms are often confused because synecdoche is considered a subset of metonymy, meaning all synecdoches are metonymies, but not all metonymies are synecdoches. The distinction lies in the type of relationship between the words: metonymy covers a broader range of relationships, while synecdoche is specific to part-whole relations.
Metonymy often serves to simplify or familiarize complex concepts by using everyday or more tangible terms. Synecdoche tends to evoke a more immediate and intimate understanding by using part-whole relationships to reveal something about the nature of the object or subject in question.
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Comparison Chart
CBasic Definition
Replacement by association
Part represents whole or vice versa
Scope
Broad (many types of relationships)
Restricted (part-to-whole or whole-to-part)
Examples
"The White House issued a statement"
"All hands on deck"
Relation to Other
Encompasses synecdoche
A subset of metonymy
Emotional Impact
Often more abstract
Usually more immediate and intimate
Compare with Definitions
Metonymy
Can involve broader relationships like cause and effect.
The crown will find an heir.
Synecdoche
Figure of speech using part of the whole to represent the whole.
The U.S. won gold in the 4x100 meter relay.
Metonymy
Used to simplify or familiarize complex ideas.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Synecdoche
Often evokes an immediate and intimate understanding.
He's the brains of the operation.
Metonymy
Figure of speech replacing one word with another associated word.
Hollywood is known for making movies.
Synecdoche
Restricted to part-to-whole or whole-to-part relationships.
All hands on deck.
Metonymy
Encompasses synecdoche as a subset.
The White House announced a new policy.
Synecdoche
Considered a subset of metonymy.
Nice wheels you got there.
Metonymy
Involves replacement but not necessarily part-whole relationships.
The kitchen was filled with hungry mouths.
Synecdoche
Does not involve broader associations like cause and effect.
Check out my new threads.
Metonymy
Metonymy () is a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept.
Synecdoche
A synecdoche ( sin-NEK-də-kee, from Greek συνεκδοχή, synekdochē, 'simultaneous understanding') is a figure of speech in which a term for a part of something refers to the whole of something or vice versa.A synecdoche is a class of metonymy, often by means of either mentioning a part for the whole or conversely the whole for one of its parts. Examples from common English expressions include "suits" (for "businessmen"), and "boots" (for "soldiers") (pars pro toto).
Metonymy
A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power.
Synecdoche
A figure of speech in which the name of a part is used to stand for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword).
Metonymy
(rhetoric) The use of a single characteristic or part of an object, concept or phenomenon to identify the entire object, concept, phenomenon or a related object.
Synecdoche
(figure of speech) A figure of speech that uses the name of a part of something to represent the whole, or the whole to represent a part.
Metonymy
(countable) A metonym.
Synecdoche
(rhetoric) The use of this figure of speech.
Metonymy
A trope in which one word is put for another that suggests it; as, we say, a man keeps a good table instead of good provisions; we read Virgil, that is, his poems; a man has a warm heart, that is, warm affections; a city dweller has no wheels, that is, no automobile.
Synecdoche
A figure or trope by which a part of a thing is put for the whole (as, fifty sail for fifty ships), or the whole for a part (as, the smiling year for spring), the species for the genus (as, cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (as, a creature for a man), the name of the material for the thing made, etc.
Metonymy
Substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in `they counted heads')
Synecdoche
Substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one or vice versa
Common Curiosities
What is metonymy?
Metonymy is a figure of speech where one word is replaced by another word closely associated with it.
Is synecdoche a type of metonymy?
Yes, synecdoche is considered a subset of metonymy.
What is synecdoche?
Synecdoche is a specific type of metonymy where a part of something represents the whole or the whole represents a part.
What's the emotional impact of synecdoche?
Synecdoche tends to evoke a more immediate and intimate understanding of the subject.
Can you give an example of synecdoche?
"All hands on deck" is an example of synecdoche.
What's the emotional impact of metonymy?
Metonymy often serves to simplify or familiarize complex concepts and may be more abstract.
Can metonymy and synecdoche coexist in the same sentence?
Yes, they can coexist as synecdoche is a specific type of metonymy.
Is metonymy common in everyday language?
Yes, metonymy often appears in both formal and informal language.
Can metonymy be used in poetry?
Yes, metonymy is a common poetic device used to convey complex ideas simply.
Can you give an example of metonymy?
"The White House issued a statement" is an example of metonymy.
How can I tell the difference between metonymy and synecdoche?
Metonymy covers a broader range of relationships, while synecdoche is specific to part-whole relations.
Can metonymy include relationships beyond part-to-whole?
Yes, metonymy can involve broader associations like cause and effect, or object and user.
Is synecdoche restricted to part-to-whole relationships?
Yes, synecdoche focuses exclusively on part-to-whole or whole-to-part relationships.
Is synecdoche common in everyday language?
Yes, phrases like "nice wheels" for a car are examples of synecdoche in everyday language.
Can synecdoche be used in poetry?
Yes, synecdoche is also a popular poetic device that can add depth and immediacy to the text.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
