Also is an adverb meaning in addition. Position and tone decide your best swap. For that main sense, use too, as well, or additionally. To open a new sentence, use moreover or furthermore. For “in the same way,” use likewise.
Top antonyms: only, instead, and however.
Need more options? Try our synonym and antonym finder.
This guide to synonyms for also shows which word fits where, because position and formality matter as much as meaning.
Meaning of Also
Part of speech: adverb. Dictionary.com also lists a rare conjunction use, as in “He was mean, also ugly.”
Pronunciation (US): AWL-soh, /ˈɔl soʊ/
Definition: Merriam-Webster gives “likewise” and “in addition,” with besides and too as related words. www.dictionary.com +2
Word forms: also has no endings. A related noun is also-ran, meaning someone who doesn’t win.
Also in a sentence:
- She also plays the violin.
- Also, the tickets are cheap.
This page covers three senses: (1) in addition, inside a sentence, (2) in addition, opening a new sentence, and (3) “in the same way.” Sense 1 is what most readers mean, so it gets the most depth. For help with the word meaning itself, see our synonyms for meaning.
Synonyms for Also
Synonyms aren’t swappable parts. Each word has its own connotation, the feeling it adds beyond its dictionary meaning. Register means how formal or casual a word sounds. A collocation is a pair of words that often go together, like “also known as.”
Sense 1: In addition, inside a sentence (most searched)
Position matters here. Also usually goes before a main verb or after be. Most alternatives go elsewhere.
| Word | How it differs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| too (adv., neutral-informal) | Goes at the end of a clause. It sounds odd before the verb. | I’d like some coffee, too. |
| as well (adv. phrase, neutral) | Goes at the end. It can’t take the middle slot where also fits, so “She is as well a pilot” sounds odd. | She speaks French as well. |
| additionally (adv., formal-neutral) | Works mid-sentence or at the start. A bit more formal. | The program additionally teaches budgeting. |
| to boot (adv. phrase, informal, old-fashioned) | Comes at the end and adds a bonus. | He’s a great cook and a kind friend to boot. interestingliterature |
Sense 2: In addition, opening a new sentence
These words add a new point. Dictionary.com notes that starting a sentence with also signals an added thought. They differ in kind, so I group them by formality rather than rank. dictionary
| Word | How it differs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| moreover (adv., formal) | Adds a stronger point in the same direction. | The report is clear. Moreover, it’s short. |
| furthermore (adv., formal) | Same job, a bit longer. | The tests passed. Furthermore, the team fixed two older bugs. |
| in addition (adv. phrase, neutral-formal) | Plain and flexible. | The hotel has a pool. In addition, it has a spa. |
| besides (adv., neutral-informal) | Adds a final, clinching reason. | It’s too far to walk. Besides, it’s raining. |
| what’s more (adv. phrase, neutral) | Adds a surprising or stronger point. | The flat is cheap. What’s more, it’s bright. |
| on top of that (adv. phrase, informal-neutral) | Piles on, often a negative. | I’m tired. On top of that, I’m hungry. |
| plus (adv., informal) | Casual. It sounds less natural in formal essays. | We have snacks. Plus, we have drinks. |
Formality ladder. This ladder measures one thing: how formal the word sounds. The order is rough, because dictionaries don’t rank these words.
plus → too / as well → also → in addition → additionally → moreover / furthermore
I left off besides, what’s more, on top of that, and to boot because they add a particular job (a reason, a bonus, or a pile-on), not just formality. I also left off Sense 3 words.
Related, not true synonyms: and (joins items without stressing the extra), even (adds surprise), and along with (accompaniment).
Sense 3: “In the same way”
Think “I’ll have one also” as “likewise; in the same manner.” In speech, too, does this job.
| Word | How it differs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| likewise (adv., formal) | “In the same way.” Often follows an action. | Maya recycles every week; likewise, her roommates sort their trash. |
| similarly (adv., neutral-formal) | Stresses likeness between two cases. | The first test checks speed. Similarly, the second checks accuracy. |
| in the same way (adv. phrase, neutral) | Plain and clear. | I thanked the host, and my friends thanked him in the same way. |
Which one should I choose?
- Ask where also sits: inside a clause, at the start of a sentence, or meaning “in the same way.”
- Jump to that sense and read the “How it differs” column.
- Check the register. Plus and too suit speech, and moreover suits reports.
- Check the position. Too and as well go at the end. Also goes before the verb.
Antonyms for Also
Also adds an idea. An antonym limits it, replaces it, or turns away from it. Each antonym is paired with the word it contrasts with.
| Antonym | Opposite of | How it differs | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| only (adv., neutral) | also, too | Limits to one thing instead of adding. | He only eats fruit. |
| solely (adv., formal) | in addition | Stresses “nothing else.” | The grant covers tuition solely. |
| instead (adv., neutral) | as well, too | Replaces instead of adds. | I skipped dessert and had tea instead. |
| however (adv., neutral-formal) | moreover, furthermore, besides | Turns away from the last point. | The flat is bright; however, it’s noisy. |
| by contrast (adv. phrase, neutral-formal) | likewise, similarly | Shows a difference, not a match. | The north is dry. By contrast, the south is wet. |
Near-misses. Either and neither look like opposites, but they’re the negative versions of too: “I like it, too” becomes “I don’t like it, either.” Otherwise means “if not.” Even adds surprise, so it isn’t an opposite. For more on contrast words, see our synonyms for however and antonyms for however.
Also vs. Similar Words
| Pair | Key difference | Example |
|---|---|---|
| also vs. too | Same meaning, different position. Also sits before the verb, and too sits at the end. | She also sings. / She sings, too. |
| also vs. as well | As well sits at the end. In the middle, it sounds odd. | She is also a pilot. / She is a pilot as well. |
| also vs. moreover | Also is plain and works anywhere. Moreover is formal and adds a stronger point. | Also, it’s cheap. / Moreover, it’s cheap. |
| in addition vs. in addition to | In addition is an adverb. In addition to is a preposition and needs a noun. | In addition, she studies art. / In addition to math, she studies art. |
Position patterns for also:
| Pattern | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| also + verb | Before the main verb. | She also plays piano. |
| be + also | After be. | He is also a pilot. |
| Also, + new sentence | A comma follows. | Also, the tickets are cheap. |
| not only… but also | Also adds the second part. | It’s not only cold, but also windy. |
Using Also and Its Synonyms in Context
- Formal: The report outlines the budget. Moreover, it flags three risks.
- Casual: I’m bringing snacks, and drinks too.
- Academic: The authors examine wages; furthermore, they study hours worked.
- Business: The update fixes the bug. Additionally, it speeds up startup.
- Technical: The app also exports files as PDF.
Collocations: also known as, also called, also available, not only… but also. For key points in essays, see synonyms for important.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes box
- Double additives. “I also like it too” repeats the same job. Use one.
- Wrong position for as well. “She is as well a pilot” sounds odd. Put it at the end.
- German false friend. German also usually means “so” or “therefore,” not “in addition.” Don’t carry that meaning into English.
- Missing but in“not only… but also.” Write “not only smart but also kind,” not “not only smart, also kind.”
- Using plus in formal writing. It sounds casual. Try in addition or moreover.
Repetition is a problem with many words. For another example, try synonyms for bad when “very bad” gets old.
Related Words, Idioms, and Word Origin
Related words: too, as well, besides, likewise, also-ran.
Idioms and fixed phrases:
- Also known as (often “a.k.a.”) introduces another name.
- Also-ran (informal) means someone who doesn’t win.
- To boot means “as a bonus.”
Etymology (word origin): Merriam-Webster says the first known use of also was before the 12th century. merriam-webster
Did you know? The OED says also began as an intensified form of so, like although and altogether. That helps explain why the German word also looks so close to its English cousin. interestingliterature
FAQs
What are the best synonyms for also?
It depends on the sense. Use too or as well at the end of a clause, additionally for a formal tone, moreover to open a sentence, and likewise for “in the same way.”
What is another word for also at the start of a sentence?
Try Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Besides, or What’s more. For speech, use Plus.
What is a formal word for also?
Use additionally, moreover, or furthermore.
What is the difference between also, too, and as well?
They share a meaning but differ in position. Also goes before the verb, and too and as well go at the end.
What is the opposite of also?
Only and solely limit an idea. Instead replaces it. However turns away from it.
Can you put also at the end of a sentence?
It’s possible, as in “I’ll have one also.” Many writers prefer too or as well there.
Is also a conjunction or an adverb?
Mainly an adverb. Dictionary.com also lists a rare conjunction use. For joining ideas, and is safer.
Quick Quiz
- Which word best completes “The flat is cheap. ___, it’s close to the station” in a formal report?
a) Moreover b) However c) Instead d) Only - Which sentence uses also correctly?
a) She also plays piano. b) She plays also piano. c) She plays piano also too. d) She also plays too piano. - Which word is an opposite of also in “She also sings”?
a) only b) moreover c) too d) additionally - Which word best replaces also in “Maya recycles weekly; ___, her roommates sort their trash”?
a) likewise b) however c) instead d) only - In “In addition to math, she studies art,” what kind of phrase is in addition to?
a) a preposition b) an adverb c) a verb d) a conjunction
Mini-challenge: Rewrite with a more formal synonym: “Also, the app is free.”
Answers: 1) a. 2) a. 3) a. 4) a. 5) a. Mini-challenge: “Furthermore, the app is free.” (Moreover also works.)
Conclusion
Choose by position first, then formality. Use too at the end, moreover at the start of a formal sentence, and likewise for “in the same way.”
Want more help with connecting words? Browse our meanixer.com for the full library.
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