Writing

‘Such As’ Synonyms: 7 Alternatives to ‘Such As’

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Sep 13, 2021 • 3 min read

“Such as” is a common adverb for introducing examples and lists in English sentences. Learn different ways to say or write “such as,” along with synonyms for the term.

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Definition of ‘Such As’

“Such as” is an adverb in American English that means “for example.” It is a formal phrase that’s common in written English and formal speeches and less standard in casual English conversation.

In a sentence, “such as” typically functions as an introduction to an example or a list of examples in the middle of a sentence. For instance, “She enjoyed many active hobbies, such as hiking, running, and swimming.”

7 Synonyms for ‘Such As’

There are many synonyms or related words for “such as,” such as:

  1. 1. Including: “Including” is one of the most commonly used adverbs to introduce a list, and you can use it interchangeably with “such as.”
  2. 2. Like: “Like” is a more casual adverb or preposition that’s a popular synonym for “such as” in everyday speech and casual writing.
  3. 3. Namely: “Namely” is a formal adverb that can replace “such as” in formal contexts like written English and formal speeches.
  4. 4. For example: “For example” is an adverbial phrase with a similar level of formality as “such as.” You can also use the phrase at the beginning of a sentence.
  5. 5. For instance: “For instance” is an adverbial phrase that’s slightly less formal or more conversational than the formal “such as.” You can also use it at the beginning of a sentence.
  6. 6. By way of illustration: “By way of illustration” is a formal idiom that can replace “such as” in formal contexts. You can also use the idiom to start a sentence.
  7. 7. E.g.: In written situations that allow for abbreviations, you can replace “such as” with the abbreviation “e.g.,” which stands for the Latin “exempli gratia” and means “for example.”

While there are many similar words for “such as,” there aren’t many clear antonyms for the adverb, and most English dictionaries and thesauruses don’t list any.

How to Use Various Synonyms for ‘Such As’

Certain synonyms for “such as” can function slightly differently in the sentence—here’s how you can substitute “such as” for a variety of synonyms in the English language:

  1. 1. Including, like, and namely: To substitute the phrase “such as” for a synonym like “including,” “like,” or “namely,” you can simply exchange the two without adjusting the rest of the sentence or punctuation. “She enjoyed many active hobbies, such as hiking, running, and swimming” can become “She enjoyed many active hobbies, including hiking, running, and swimming,” or “She enjoyed many active hobbies, namely hiking, running, and swimming.”
  2. 2. For example, for instance, and by way of illustration: When using “for example,” “for instance,” or “by way of illustration,” add a comma (or em dash) before the synonym and a comma after it. “She enjoyed many active hobbies, such as hiking, running, and swimming” can become “She enjoyed many active hobbies, for example, hiking, running, and swimming” or “She enjoyed many active hobbies—for example, hiking, running, and swimming.” In addition, “for example” and “for instance” can come at the beginning of a sentence, so you can break it into two parts for a new order, like, “She enjoyed many active hobbies. For instance, hiking, running, and swimming were a regular part of her weekly routine.”
  3. 3. E.g.: To substitute the phrase “such as” for an abbreviation like “e.g.,” replace “such as” with the abbreviation and add a comma (or em dash) before the new word and a comma after it. “She enjoyed many active hobbies, such as hiking, running, and swimming” can become “She enjoyed many active hobbies—e.g., hiking, running, and swimming.” The abbreviation “e.g.” functions similarly as “for example” or “for instance,” but it typically doesn’t come at the beginning of a sentence.

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