Tom listens to the news on a shortwave radio.
Source: tatoeba (9219086)
Shortwave
/ˈʃɔːtˌweɪv/
Synonyms for "shortwave" (41 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (9)
audio-frequencybeambroadcastcarriercarrier waveelectric waveelectromagnetic waveground wavehertzian wave
Strong matches (12)
Noun(5 words)
hf bandhf broadcastinghf radiohf receiverhigh frequency band
Related words (20)
radiateradioradio wavesendsign offsign onsky wavesportscastsuperheterodynetransmitwavelengthwireless
Noun(8 words)
short-wavelength radiationshortwave broadcastingshortwave radiationshortwave receivershortwave setshortwave spectrumshortwave transmissionsshortwaves
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: audio-frequency, beam, broadcast, carrier, carrier wave.
- Sentence evidence is available for shortwave, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, 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 "shortwave".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "shortwave"
Keep "shortwave" 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 "shortwave" 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 "shortwave", 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 "shortwave" 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 entriesbroadcastingelectromagnetic radiationmass communicationradio apparatusradio bandradio technologytelecommunication device
More specific
13 entriescultural programemergency broadcasthandheld shortwave radionews broadcastportable shortwave radioshortwave broadcastshortwave broadcastingshortwave infraredshortwave serviceshortwave stationshortwave transmissiontabletop shortwave radiovisible light
Collocations
9 entriesshortwave antennashortwave bandshortwave bandsshortwave broadcastshortwave frequenciesshortwave propagationshortwave radioshortwave receivershortwave transmitter
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
6 entriesshortwave antennashortwave broadcastingshortwave equipmentshortwave radioshortwave receivershortwave transmitter
Translations
6 translations across 5 languages.
Belarusian
1 entries- караткахва́левы adj (of radio equipment)
Finnish
1 entries- lyhytaalto- adj (of radio equipment)
Italian
1 entries- onda corta adj (of radio equipment)
Russian
2 entries- коротково́лновый adj (of radio equipment)
- коротковолно́вый adj (of radio equipment)
Ukrainian
1 entries- короткохвильови́й adj (of radio equipment)
Sample sentences
7 total sentences available.
Shortwaves are longer than microwaves.
Source: wiktionary
Many stations broadcast on shortwaves.
Source: wiktionary
The fun of listening to shortwave while in a car or boat is diminished by spark-plug noise created while the engine is running.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "shortwave"?
Closest matches include audio-frequency, beam, broadcast, carrier, carrier wave.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "shortwave"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.