Metonymy vs Synecdoche

Metonymy vs synecdoche has been a hot debate for quite some time now. If you want to drive away your confusion about the meaning, usage and difference between these two figures of speech, read on…

The English language is full of figures of speech that are used in one way to imply something else! These phrases or words are what beautify the English language and gives it its rich feel. However, sometimes these figures of speech may get a little confusing and one such figure of speech that is often confused with another is metonymy and synecdoche. The metonymy vs synecdoche debate has been brewing for quite some time now and given below is an article that will help put all your doubts related to this confusion to rest.

What is Metonymy?

Metonymy definition entails using the name of one particular thing being replaced by the name of something that is closely associated with it. Metonymy in Greek literally means ‘a change of name’. Thus, it actually stands for a transmutation or a misnomer. This figure of speech helps to indirectly refer to something. Like, in Julius Caesar, when Mark Antony, after the death of Caesar addresses the people of Rome as “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”, he means he wants people to listen to what he has to say. Given below are a few more metonymy examples, which will help clear your doubts regarding metonymy vs synecdoche.

Word

Actual Meaning

Metonymic Usage

Sweat

Perspiration

To work hard towards something

Hollywood

A section of Los Angeles

The American film industry

Wall Street

A street in lower Manhattan in New York

The American financial and banking industry

Madison Avenue

An avenue running the length of Manhattan Island in New York

The American advertising industry

Broadway

An avenue running the length of Manhattan Island in New York city

The live theater in New York

The White House

The official President’s residence in Washington D.C.

The U.S. President, his staff, representatives and close advisors

The Pentagon

A large government office building in Arlington, Virginia

The United States department of Defense

Downing Street

A street in the city of Westminster

The British Prime minister’s office

Westminster

A city in Greater London

The UK Government

New Scotland Yard

A Building in London which is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police

Metropolitan police

What is Synecdoche?

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a word or term is used to refer to a whole thing or effect, a part of it, or a specific class of things related to that word. Synecdoche in Greek originally means accepting a part as responsible for whole or vice versa. This figure of speech is closely related to synecdoche, in fact, synecdoche is sometimes considered to be a subclass of metonymy. Given below are a few examples of synecdoche that will help you understand how to compare metonymy vs synecdoche better:

• Referring to a characteristic of a person for the person itself, like ‘the gray beard’ for an old person.
• Describing a vehicle as ‘wheels’.
• He has many mouths to feed.
• There are so many pairs of hands working there.
• All eyes were on him.
• Using the term ‘bug’ for any kind of insect or small creature.
• Using ‘John Hancock’ for the signature of any person.
• Using a well known generic term for a certain related thing, like calling any kind of cola ‘Coke’.
• Saying ‘lead’ for bullets, ‘rubber’ for condoms, ‘plastic’ for credit cards, ‘willow’ for cricket bat, etc.

What’s the Difference Between Metonymy and Synecdoche?

Now we come to the pressing question of metonymy vs synecdoche. As has been stated above, synecdoche can be said to be a sub-class or a special case of metonymy. They both are similar to each other but metonymy is generally used to refer to a concept that is loosely associated with the main word. Any linked term that has a wider reference than usual can be said to be a metonymy. However, this is not that case with synecdoche. In synecdoche you speak for a part of a thing or subject, indirectly implying the entire thing itself. You do not use it to refer to related subjects or objects. Thus, metonymy is actually a special case of synecdoche and not the other way round.

If you wish to know about some more figures of speeches, you can read up on:

• Irony Examples
• Hyperbole Examples
• Simile Examples

This was all about the hot debate of metonymy vs synecdoche. Hopefully, you’ve understood the difference between these two figures of speech. So go ahead and use these figures of speech that are bound to make head turns!