BOOKS Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

books 1 of 2

noun

plural of book

as in paperbacks

a set of printed sheets of paper bound together between covers and forming a work of fiction or nonfiction I bought another new book yesterday, and I can't wait to read it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in periodicals

a publication that appears at regular intervals older people in these parts still tend to call a magazine a book

Synonyms & Similar Words

books

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of book

as in reserves

to arrange to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's future use we booked a conference room for the meeting next week

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in moves

slang to leave a place often for another I'm running late, so I've got to book

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of books

Noun

By the end of the night, Chicago had nine in total as part of a 17-3 rout that cemented August 2026 as one for the record books for the North Siders. — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Chase said the acquisition marked an expansion of the library’s collecting interests beyond its millions of rare books, manuscripts and historical items spanning from the 11th through the 21st centuries. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The bookshop offers interesting books on design and architecture. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 For example, there are many books connecting money to the Bible and religion. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 In 1996, when the first three novels were reprinted again, Kennedy appended a prelude that reads like an account of the cycle’s evolution—except that the author of these books is identified as Billy Phelan’s nephew Daniel Quinn. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 These are five outstanding books that are in conversation with the classics. — Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 The automation should end when the customer replies, books, declines, becomes unqualified or needs a decision from a person. — Michael Fox, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Between tuition, books, supplies and all the other costs that arrive with a new academic year, transportation is one area where students and families may be looking to save. — New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Scorpios suits melodic sets that gather slowly through sunset, while SantAnna books larger house names for pool-scale productions. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Checks provider and location availability against real scheduling rules and books the visit, live, inside the EHR. — Deepika Bodapati, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 But the company’s second-quarter earnings reported last month showed that high-performance computing, which is where TSMC books AI chip sales, accounted for 66% of revenue. — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 Graham is the unabashed matriarch of the flock, who every year chooses the destination, books the hut, plans the menu, does meal prep, and designs the commemorative T-shirts. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 July 2026 The long shots Value bettors can find some very good odds on the clubs that books and markets aren’t loving right now. — Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026 Apple also books occasional concerts and talks with notable guests, though those spots tend to fill fast, so signing up early helps. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026 See which books our editors can’t put down with our People Who Read newsletter — plus get PEOPLE News. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 Olive answers many of the 55-year-old’s texts and emails, books him spontaneous travel (three trips to London so far this year), buys him groceries, and places meetings on his calendar—often without ever consulting him. — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for books

Noun

Shelves are stocked with everything from children’s books and paperbacks to rare finds, priced at $2 for Step Into Reading children’s books, $4 for paperbacks and other children’s books, $8 for hardcovers at $8 and rare books individually priced.

— Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2026
Along the narrow hallway, bookshelves burst with first editions of John Updike, battered Stephen Kings, graphic novels, dime-store paperbacks, board games, books about mythology, children’s fairy tales, and Warhammer rule sets.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of paperbacks

Noun

People who might be lucky to have a roof over their heads gathered there to read American books and periodicals, watch American movies, listen to lectures about America, tap their toes to jazz from America.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
It is anticipated that all IEEE periodicals will be included in the Integrity Hub screening by the end of this year.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026

Definition of periodicals

Verb

Areas farther east could see greater impacts if the center moves toward the Sabine Pass area, as some forecast guidance currently suggests.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
In training camp, Steward worked at nickel and at safety, but the personnel moves around the secondary have factored him out.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of moves

Noun

Historians have gleaned information from journals, letters and diaries, about their dialect.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The organization has generated $13 million in research, published 25 studies in scientific journals and created innovative programs to support veterans, according to its website.

— Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of journals

Verb

Shikiya’s new gig follows other recent Anonymous Content hires like Liza Burnett Fefferman as chief communications and marketing officer and Michael Sinclair as chief legal officer.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
In the film, cartoon legend Coyote (who can’t speak, of course) hires a reluctant, unambitious lawyer Kevin Avery (East Bay native Will Forte) to be his mouthpiece and legal advocate.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hires

Browse Nearby Words

bookmen

books

bookseller

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Style

“Books.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/books. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of books

noun

verb

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