In Singapore, one method of punishing criminals is to whip them, or hit them several times on the back with a cane.
Source: tatoeba (52479)
Cane
/keɪn/
Synonyms for "cane" (212 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (43)
Strong matches (63)
chastiseclubcorncorsetcowhidecrookcrosiercrosscross-staffcrutchcrutch-stickcudgelculmcutdrubembosserfarinaceous plantferuleflagellateflail
Show 37 more words
flogfogfootstalkforage grassfoundation garmentfulcrumfuniculefuniculusfustigategirdlegive a whippinggive the stickgraingraminaceous plantgrassguide dogguyguywirehandstaffhaulmhigh-speed embosserhorsewhipjockjockstrapknoutlacelashlawn grasslay onleafstalkline letterlituusmacemainstaymaintainermalacca canemast
Related words (106)
necknew york pointnoctographoatsoptaconoptophoneornamental grasspaddlepandybatpastoral staffpaterissapathsounderpedicelpedunclepersonal sonarpetiolepetiolulepetioluspistol whippistol-whip
Show 73 more words
pommelproppummelpunishquarterstaffrattanrawhidereedreinforcereinforcementreinforcerrestresting placeriggingrodrulerrushscourgeseedstalkseeing eye dogsensory aidshillelaghshouldershroudsight-saver typesmitespankspearspinespirespritstaffstalkstanding riggingstavestaystemstickstiffenerstipestockstrapstrawstrengthenerstrikestring alphabetstripesupportsupportersustainerswagger stickswanking stickswingeswitchtalking bookthrashthumptigellatrouncetruncheontrunkultrasonic spectaclesupholdervisagraphvisotonerwalking stickwallopwhalewheatwhipwhopwriting framewriting stamps
Noun(12 words)
Adjective(1 words)
walking staff
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: advocate, aftergrass, alpenstock, anthrophore, arm.
- Sentence evidence is available for cane, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "cane".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "cane"
Keep "cane" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "cane" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "cane", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "cane" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
16 entriesMore specific
9 entriesCollocations
12 entriesbamboo canebe canedcane fieldcane furniturecane punishmentcane stalkcaned studentcaning punishmenthistorical caningpunishment by canesugar canewalking cane
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesTranslations
1 translations across 1 languages.
Khiamniungan Naga
1 entries- vāisǖāi noun (rope made from bamboo or cane)
Sample sentences
27 total sentences available.
A staff is used to help steady yourself when walking, much like a cane.
Source: tatoeba (268528)
It crawls on all fours as a baby, then learns to walk on two legs, and finally needs a cane in old age.
Source: tatoeba (270303)
This candy cane tastes like green apple.
Source: tatoeba (478579)
Showing 4 of 27 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "cane"?
Closest matches include advocate, aftergrass, alpenstock, anthrophore, arm.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "cane"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.