What is the Difference Between Metonymy and Synecdoche?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Metonymy and synecdoche are both figures of speech where one thing is used to represent another. They are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between the two:
- Synecdoche: This figure of speech is used when a part of something is used to refer to the whole thing, or less commonly, the word for a whole is used to refer to a part. For example, the term "hands" can be used to mean "workers" (as in "all hands on deck") or the noun "sails" to mean "ships".
- Metonymy: In this figure of speech, a word associated with something is used to refer to the thing itself. For example, the word "crown" can be used to refer to the duty, power, and responsibility of a king or queen, or the phrase "White House" can refer to the President or the administration.
In summary, the main difference between metonymy and synecdoche is that synecdoche refers to a part of something being used to represent the whole or vice versa, while metonymy refers to something being represented by something closely related to it, but not necessarily a part of the whole.
Comparative Table: Metonymy vs Synecdoche
Metonymy and synecdoche are both figures of speech that involve substituting one word or phrase for another. Here is a table that highlights the differences between the two:
Feature | Metonymy | Synecdoche |
---|---|---|
Definition | A word associated with something is used to refer to that thing. | The word for a part of something is used to refer to the whole, or vice versa. |
Example | When people use the word "crown" to refer to the duty, power, or authority of a king or queen. | The term "hands" is used to mean "workers" (as in "all hands on deck"). |
Directions | references a concept, attribute, or adjunct related to the thing meant. | references a part or subset of the whole that is being referenced. |
In summary, metonymy refers to a figure of speech where a word associated with something is used to refer to that thing, while synecdoche refers to a figure of speech where the word for a part of something is used to refer to the whole, or vice versa.
- Metaphor vs Metonymy
- Metaphor vs Simile
- Symbol vs Metaphor
- Metaphor vs Analogy
- Conceit vs Metaphor
- Antonyms vs Synonyms
- Synonym vs Alias
- Metaphor vs Allegory
- Homonym vs Homophone
- Metaphor vs Personification
- Synapomorphy vs Symplesiomorphy
- Connotation vs Denotation
- Noun vs Pronoun
- Simile Metaphor Personification vs Hyperbole
- Acronym vs Acrostic
- Hyperbole vs Idiom
- Anaphora vs Parallelism
- Icon vs Symbol
- Juxtaposition vs Oxymoron