The problem in COBOL is that, while there exists a standard COBOL, ANS (American National Standard) COBOL, no computer manufacturer offers a COBOL compiler that is both full and pure ANS.
Source: wiktionary
Cobol
/ˈkoʊbɒl/
Synonyms for "cobol" (20 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (4)
Strong matches (6)
Related words (10)
Noun(1 words)
programming language
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: bit, bug, business programming language, cobol application, cobol program.
- Sentence evidence is available for cobol, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, opengloss.
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 "cobol".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "cobol"
Keep "cobol" 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 "cobol" 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 "cobol", 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 "cobol" 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
7 entriesMore specific
5 entriesCOBOL IIbatch processing programbusiness COBOLlegacy COBOL applicationmainframe COBOL
Collocations
6 entriesCOBOL codeCOBOL compilerCOBOL programmingCOBOL syntaxlegacy COBOLmainframe COBOL
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
2 entriesCOBOL coderCOBOL programmer
Sample sentences
2 total sentences available.
Because COBOL does not have a date type, some implementations rely instead on a system whereby all dates are coded to a reference point. The most commonly used is May 20, 1875, as this was the date of an international standards-setting conference held in Paris, known as the Convention du Mètre.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "cobol"?
Closest matches include bit, bug, business programming language, cobol application, cobol program.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "cobol"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.