Methyl is a functional group containing a carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms, -CH3.
Source: tatoeba (8768118)
Methyl
/ˈmɛθaɪl/
Synonyms for "methyl" (9 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (2)
Noun(2 words)
methyl groupmethyl radical
Strong matches (3)
Noun(2 words)
ch3 groupch3 radical
Related words (4)
Noun(3 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: methyl group, methyl radical, alcohol, ch3 group, ch3 radical.
- Sentence evidence is available for methyl, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse.
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 "methyl".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "methyl"
Keep "methyl" 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 "methyl" 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 "methyl", 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 "methyl" 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
9 entriesalkylalkyl groupalkyl radicalchemical radicalderivativefunctional groupmodified compoundsubstituentsubstituent group
More specific
9 entriesmethyl alcoholmethyl anionmethyl bromidemethyl cationmethyl chloridemethyl estermethyl ethermethyl iodidemethyl ketone
Collocations
8 entriesmethyl acceptormethyl chloridemethyl donormethyl estermethyl groupmethyl ketonemethylating agentmethylation reaction
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
6 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
You might point out in the theory of oxidation of oils, in development of rancidity in oils, that many methyls accelerate this oxidation of oils. I do not want to burden you with a lecture on chemistry but there are some methyls like iron which has both a valence of two and of three. Another example is cobalt which has a valence of both two and three.
Source: wiktionary
The southern acetates must be decarboxylated to methyls.
Source: wiktionary
The most stable form has the groups staggered and the methyls as far from each other as possible (DA^([dihedral angle]) = 180°).
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "methyl"?
Closest matches include methyl group, methyl radical, alcohol, ch3 group, ch3 radical.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "methyl"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.