Receptor

/ɹɪˈsɛp.tə/

Synonyms for "receptor" (23 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (5)

Noun(4 words)
binding domainbinding pocketbinding proteinbinding site

Strong matches (7)

Noun(4 words)
ligand sitereceptor cellreceptor proteinsense organ

Related words (11)

Noun(5 words)
sensorsensorssensory cellsensory receptortransducer

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: binding domain, binding pocket, binding protein, binding site, computer.
  • Sentence evidence is available for receptor, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet.

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 "receptor".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "receptor"

Keep "receptor" 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 "receptor" 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 "receptor", 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 "receptor" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

6 relation types

More general

12 entries
anatomical structurebodily structurebody structurecellcellular componentcomplex body partmacromoleculenerve cellorganproteinsensorstructure

More specific

11 entries
G protein coupled receptorbeta adrenergic receptorinsulin receptorionotropic receptormechanoreceptormu opioid receptornuclear receptorolfactory receptorphotoreceptorthermoreceptortyrosine kinase receptor

Collocations

6 entries
G protein coupled receptorcell receptorligand receptormembrane receptornuclear receptorreceptor protein

Inflections

1 entries

Derivations

1 entries

Antonyms

1 entries

Sample sentences

7 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

Researchers Identify New Receptor Complex in Brain

Source: tatoeba (329352)

The antibodies, however, block the receptor on the T cells that HIV uses to enter and destroy them.

Source: tatoeba (11483133)

In the target organ, the drug is recognised by ‘receptors’. These are large molecules, usually proteins, to which the drug binds tightly and with a high degree of specificity.

Source: wiktionary

White blood cells of the immune system, the gut and the spleen also have another type of cannabinoid receptor, known as CB2.

Source: wiktionary

Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "receptor"?

Closest matches include binding domain, binding pocket, binding protein, binding site, computer.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "receptor"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "receptor"