Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Synonym Finder agent skill (synonyms)
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The Synonym Finder skill (named synonyms) is an agent skill that teaches an AI agent to produce structured lists of alternative words for a word or phrase. It is aimed at writers, students and non-native speakers who want to vary their wording or pick a word with the right tone. After reading this guide you will know what the skill does, how to install it, how to phrase requests so the agent uses it, and where it falls short.
Synonym FinderQwenLM/qwen-code · Apache-2.0 Download the skill Quick start
- 1Download the ZIP. Get the synonyms skill ZIP from this page.
- 2Unzip the folder. Extract the archive so the synonyms folder containing SKILL.md is in place.
- 3Choose the location. Put it in ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or in the project's .claude/skills/ for one project.
- 4Or upload in the Claude apps. Go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the ZIP.
- 5Ask in natural language. Request synonyms with the context and tone you need, such as a formal essay or a text message.
- 6Check the notes. Read the formality labels and nuance notes before choosing a word.
What the synonyms skill makes the agent do
An agent skill is a folder of instructions that an AI agent loads when a request matches the skill's description. This one contains a single file, SKILL.md, and it runs no scripts and uses no network access. It changes how the agent answers synonym requests rather than adding a tool.
When the skill is active, the agent gives each word or phrase three kinds of output: direct synonyms with nearly identical meanings, related alternatives with slightly different connotations, and brief usage examples where they help. It also indicates formality level (formal, informal or neutral) and considers context, tone and regional variation.
- Direct synonyms: words with nearly identical meanings
- Related alternatives: similar words with a different connotation
- Context examples: short usage examples when helpful
- Formality labels: formal, informal or neutral
Install the synonyms skill
Download the synonyms ZIP from this page and unzip it. You can install the skill in one of two places. For a personal skill that works in all your projects, unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/. For a skill that only applies to one project, unzip it into the project's .claude/skills/ folder.
In the Claude apps you can instead upload the ZIP under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
- Personal: ~/.claude/skills/
- Single project: .claude/skills/ inside the project folder
- Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload the ZIP
Trigger the skill with natural requests
You do not need a special command. The skill's description says it applies when you need alternative words with similar meanings, want to expand vocabulary, or seek varied expressions for writing, so ask in those terms. Including the context and tone you want gives better results, because the skill asks the agent to weigh both.
- Give me synonyms for "happy" that work in a formal essay.
- I keep using "important" in my email. What are some alternatives?
- What is the difference between "content" and "ecstatic"?
- Suggest casual phrases for "I agree" for a text message.
- Find varied wording for this sentence in my short story: [paste sentence].
What a good answer looks like
The skill includes a worked example for the input "happy". The agent groups its answer into direct synonyms (joyful, cheerful, delighted, pleased, content), informal options (thrilled, stoked, over the moon), formal options (elated, gratified, blissful), and subtle variations with short notes, such as content meaning peaceful satisfaction and ecstatic meaning intense, overwhelming happiness.
Expect the same structure for your own words. Check the notes on each option, because the difference in shade is often the reason to choose one word over another.
Safety notes and limits
The skill runs no scripts and makes no network calls, so it does not send your text anywhere through its own code. It is guidance only, so the quality of any answer still depends on the agent and the model it uses.
It is not suited to authoritative linguistic or legal terminology, where a wrong synonym can change meaning. Verify those with a dictionary or a domain expert. The guidance is written around English usage, so do not rely on it for other languages.
- No scripts run and no network use
- Verify legal, medical or technical terms with an authoritative source
- Written around English; not designed for other languages
Tips for better synonym answers
Name the context and the audience. A word for a formal essay differs from one for a marketing headline, and the skill is written to take that into account. If a suggestion does not fit, ask for the nuance: which option is more formal, or which one sounds more intense.
- Paste the full sentence so the agent sees the context
- State the tone: formal, casual, academic or marketing
- Ask for the difference between two words before swapping one in
- Confirm meaning in a dictionary when precision matters
What people use it for
- Varying repeated words in an essay, email or story
- Learning the difference between similar words such as content and ecstatic
- Choosing a formal or casual word for a specific audience
- Finding wording for marketing copy with the right tone
- Helping non-native speakers pick a word with the correct register
Frequently asked questions
Is the synonyms agent skill free?
The skill is published under the Apache-2.0 licence, as the repository it comes from is. Its SKILL.md file refers to LICENSE.txt for complete terms. Check that file in the download for the full terms.
What do I need to install the synonyms skill?
The listing states no requirements. It runs no scripts and uses no network. You need an agent that supports skills and a place to put the folder, either ~/.claude/skills/, a project's .claude/skills/, or the upload option in Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
Where do I put the synonyms skill folder?
Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ to make it available across your work, or into .claude/skills/ inside a single project. In the Claude apps, upload the ZIP under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
How do I know the skill is being used?
Ask for synonyms in natural terms. A good sign is an answer that groups options into direct synonyms, related alternatives and examples, with formality labels. If the answer is a plain list with no structure, rephrase your request with the context and tone.
Does the synonyms skill work in languages other than English?
Not reliably. The guidance is written around English usage, so use it for English text. For other languages, check a native-language dictionary or a native speaker.
Is this skill a replacement for a thesaurus or dictionary?
No. It is useful for brainstorming and seeing nuance between options, but for authoritative linguistic or legal terminology, verify with a dictionary or domain expert, because a wrong synonym can change meaning.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
Use the synonyms skill if you write essays, emails or stories and want varied, well-labelled word choices, or if you are learning how similar words differ. Pick a dictionary or a domain expert instead when you need exact terminology, legal wording, or any language other than English.
Download the skill