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Dictionary-enhanced synonyms

Synonyms for “Sentence” — 4 Other Ways to Say It

A group of words that forms a complete statement with a subject and verb; or the punishment a judge gives to someone found guilty of a crime.

IPA: /ˈsentəns/Level: A1Register: neutralPart of speech: noun

Meaning of Sentence

A set of words that expresses a complete thought, starting with a capital letter and ending with punctuation; or a punishment imposed by a court.

How to Pronounce Sentence

IPA: /ˈsentəns/ Stress: Oo

SEN-tens with stress on first syllable. The second syllable is schwa /ə/. The final "ce" is pronounced /s/, not /z/.

Full pronunciation guide for sentence →

4 Synonyms for Sentence — Words Similar to Sentence

Browse alternative words with their meaning, level, and a real example sentence so you pick the synonym that fits your context.

phrase

/freɪz/
noun A2

A few words that go together and have a meaning. A phrase is shorter than a sentence.

Example: The phrase 'happy birthday' is one of the most common phrases in English.

statement

/ˈsteɪtmənt/
noun A2

Something said or written to communicate information or express a position.

Example: His statement about the accident was clear.

clause

/klɔːz/
noun C1 Formal

A specific part of a contract or law that explains one rule. Or in grammar, a group of words with a subject and verb that forms part of a sentence.

Example: The confidentiality clause in the contract prevents employees from sharing company secrets.

punishment

/ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/
noun B1

A penalty or consequence given to someone who did something wrong.

Example: His punishment was to clean the classroom.

Smart Synonyms for Sentence — When to Use Each

clause

for the grammatical structure in formal linguistics

statement

for a declarative grammatical unit

punishment

for legal penalties imposed by courts

How to Use Sentence and Its Synonyms in Sentences

  • This is a simple sentence with a subject and verb. A1
  • The judge gave him a five-year sentence for the crime. B1
  • Complex sentences contain at least one independent and one dependent clause. B2

Frequently Asked Questions About Synonyms of Sentence

What is another word for "sentence"?

Common synonyms for "sentence" include: phrase, statement, clause, punishment.

What can I say instead of "sentence"?

Try one of these alternatives: phrase, statement, clause, punishment. Pick the synonym whose register and meaning fits your sentence — see the cards above for definitions and examples.

Is "sentence" formal or informal?

"sentence" is generally used in neutral contexts.

When should I use "sentence" instead of "phrase"?

Use "sentence" when you want to keep the exact nuance shown in the meaning section above; switch to "phrase" when you need a different register, level, or shade of meaning. Compare the cards above to decide.

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