# Merriam-Webster API: Get synonyms

> Looks up a word on its public Merriam-Webster thesaurus page and returns each meaning with its example, synonyms, antonyms and related words.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Merriam-Webster.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/get-synonyms
- Method: `merriam-webster.com/get_synonyms`, version 1
- Website: merriam-webster.com
- Returns: meanings with part of speech, example, synonyms, antonyms, related words, thesaurus link
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `word` | string | yes | `"light"` | A word to look up in the thesaurus, for example happy. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 23, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "word": "light"
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "word": "light",
  "meanings": [
    {
      "meaning": "the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible",
      "antonyms": [
        "night",
        "dark",
        "darkness"
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        "glow",
        "glare",
        "gleam"
      ],
      "page_link": "https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light#thesaurus-entry-1-1",
      "related_words": [],
      "part_of_speech": "noun",
      "example_sentence": "he read poetry to her by the light of the moon"
    },
    {
      "meaning": "something that provides illumination",
      "antonyms": [],
      "synonyms": [
        "lamp",
        "lighting",
        "candle"
      ],
      "page_link": "https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light#thesaurus-entry-1-2",
      "related_words": [],
      "part_of_speech": "noun",
      "example_sentence": "turn off the light when you go to bed"
    },
    {
      "meaning": "a person who is widely known and usually much talked about",
      "antonyms": [
        "nobody",
        "lightweight",
        "has - been"
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        "star",
        "personality",
        "celebrity"
      ],
      "page_link": "https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light#thesaurus-entry-1-3",
      "related_words": [],
      "part_of_speech": "noun",
      "example_sentence": "a leading light in the acting profession"
    }
  ],
  "thesaurus_link": "https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light"
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"merriam-webster.com/get_synonyms","input":{"word":"light"}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- What are some synonyms for the word happy, and what are their antonyms?
- Find me words similar to melancholy with example sentences for each meaning.
- I need a thesaurus entry for ephemeral showing related words and antonyms.
- Look up candid on Merriam-Webster and list the synonyms for each sense.
- Give me the part of speech and synonyms for resilient, plus any related words.

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "word"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "word": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "A word to look up in the thesaurus, for example happy."
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "word",
    "thesaurus_link",
    "meanings"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "word": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The word shown on the thesaurus page."
    },
    "meanings": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "part_of_speech",
          "meaning",
          "example_sentence",
          "synonyms",
          "antonyms",
          "related_words",
          "page_link"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "meaning": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "antonyms": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {
              "type": "string"
            }
          },
          "synonyms": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {
              "type": "string"
            }
          },
          "page_link": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "related_words": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {
              "type": "string"
            }
          },
          "part_of_speech": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "example_sentence": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          }
        },
        "additionalProperties": false
      },
      "description": "Meanings in the order they appear on the page. Similar words appear under synonyms; related words are included only when shown separately."
    },
    "thesaurus_link": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Link to the word’s thesaurus page."
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false
}
```

## See more

- [Merriam-Webster API: Define word](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/define-word.md): Looks up a word or phrase in Merriam-Webster's dictionary and returns its pronunciation, definitions, examples and word history.
- [Merriam-Webster API: Get Merriam-Webster Word of the Day](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/get-word-of-the-day.md): Gets Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for today or a past archive date, with its meaning, example, pronunciation and background note. Dates without a published entry are unavailable.
- [Dictionary.com API: Get synonyms](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.com/get-synonyms.md): Gets a word's Thesaurus.com meanings in site order, with part of speech, short meaning, synonyms and antonyms ranked strongest, strong or weak.
- [Dictionary.com API: Define word](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.com/define-word.md): Looks up an English word on Dictionary.com and returns its pronunciation, audio link, numbered definitions per dialect with examples, word origin and first recorded use.
- [RhymeZone API: Get related words](https://fous.com/methods/rhymezone.com/get-related-words.md): Finds words with similar meanings, opposite meanings, adjectives describing a word, or strongly associated words, ordered by relevance.
- [Cambridge University Press API: Define word](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.cambridge.org/define-word.md): Looks up a word or phrase on Cambridge Dictionary and returns its ordered meanings, example sentences, grammar labels and UK and US pronunciations.
- [Etymonline API: Get word origin](https://fous.com/methods/etymonline.com/get-word-origin.md): Looks up an English word on Etymonline and returns its origin entries, one per part of speech, with the first date mentioned and cross-referenced words.
- [WordReference API: Translate word](https://fous.com/methods/wordreference.com/translate-word.md): Translates a word or phrase between languages using WordReference, including usage notes, example sentences and compound forms when shown. Only language pairs listed by WordReference are available.
- [All Merriam-Webster methods](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com.md)