The driver could not distinguish the signal in the fog.
Source: tatoeba (26581)
Signal
/ˈsɪɡnəl/
Synonyms for "signal" (848 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (10)
Strong matches (15)
Related words (25)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: sign, aid to navigation, alarm, alarm signal, alarms.
- Sentence evidence is available for signal, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, 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 "signal".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "signal"
Keep "signal" 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 "signal" 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 "signal", 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 "signal" 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
22 entriesShowing 16 of 22 words.
More specific
16 entriesalarmalarm signalanalog signalconspicuouscuedigital signalevidentgestureindicatingindicatorpromptradio signalsmilesmoke signaltraffic signaltransmitting
Collocations
13 entriesemergency signalsignal cuesignal detectionsignal devicesignal flagsignal indicatorsignal integritysignal lightsignal processingsignal strengthsignal wordsignaling devicetraffic signal
Inflections
7 entriesDerivations
9 entriessimilar
1 entriesTranslations
22 translations across 19 languages.
Bulgarian
1 entries- семафо́р noun (device to give indication)
Catalan
1 entries- senyal noun (device to give indication)
Czech
1 entries- signál noun (device to give indication)
Danish
1 entries- signal noun (device to give indication)
Dutch
1 entries- sein noun (device to give indication)
Finnish
2 entries- merkinantolaite noun (device to give indication)
- opastin noun (device to give indication)
French
1 entries- signal noun (device to give indication)
Galician
1 entries- sinal noun (device to give indication)
German
1 entries- Signal noun (device to give indication)
Hungarian
2 entries- jelzőberendezés noun (device to give indication)
- szemafor noun (device to give indication)
Italian
1 entries- segnale noun (device to give indication)
Norwegian Bokmål
1 entries- signal noun (device to give indication)
Norwegian Nynorsk
1 entries- signal noun (device to give indication)
Polish
1 entries- sygnał noun (device to give indication)
Portuguese
1 entries- sinal noun (device to give indication)
Romanian
2 entries- semnal indicator noun (device to give indication)
- semnalizator noun (device to give indication)
Russian
1 entries- семафо́р noun (device to give indication)
Spanish
1 entries- señal noun (device to give indication)
Swedish
1 entries- signal noun (device to give indication)
Sample sentences
26 total sentences available.
Drivers have to pay attention to the traffic signal.
Source: tatoeba (26602)
The violinist waits for the signal to play.
Source: tatoeba (35547)
The taxi stopped dead at the traffic signal.
Source: tatoeba (40949)
Showing 4 of 26 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "signal"?
Closest matches include sign, aid to navigation, alarm, alarm signal, alarms.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "signal"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.