# Synonymy Lite > Educational word game to find synonym paths between words, narrated by Richard Dawkins. (iPhone/iPad app by Cinq-Mars Media.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synonymy-lite/id938998017 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Cinq-Mars Media](https://appshunter.io/developer/924648806) - Category: Games, Education, Word - Price: Free - Rating: 5.00/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 16 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 6.0 · 105 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2014-11-20 - Data updated: 2026-06-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synonymy-lite/id938998017/reviews.md ## What is Synonymy Lite? Synonymy is a non-profit, educational word game narrated by Richard Dawkins that challenges players to find a path between random words through their network of synonyms. By taking the synonym of a word, and then a synonym of that synonym, and so on, you can ultimately arrive at any other word in the English language. Version 3.0 has been rebuilt behind the scenes to make the game easier and more fun without sacrificing the spirit of the game. The lite version now has no external ads, just a pop-up prompt to buy the full version. Website: www.synonymy-game.com ————————————————— Try the game Stephen Fry and Steven Pinker are tweeting about! A lite version of the game with ads and restrictions on multiplayer and difficulty settings. The Full Game supports unrestricted multiplayer, and weekly challenges in which users can compete globally on set start and end words. Every time a path is uncovered by a user, it is tweeted from @synonymywords and posted to our Facebook page. Synonymy is the first game by filmmaker Christopher Cinq-Mars Jarvis and is narrated by world-renowned author and biologist, Richard Dawkins. All profits go to various charitable, education-based foundations. ** Works best using iPhone 5/iPad 2 or later and iOS8 or later. Requires iOS7 or later. The game seems to work on older devices but performance might suffer. Please address any concerns to www.synonymy-game.com/#contact A visualization of the game's network can be seen here -- http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/159329 -- In order to compute relative distance, all synonyms were mapped using 3d graphing software, as if each word were a planet that had a gravitational pull proportional to its number of relationships to other nodes. Above is a 2D representation of that model, a 40,000 x 40,000 image. ## Key features - Synonym pathfinding gameplay - Narration by Richard Dawkins - Word network visualization - Ad-free experience - Charitable donations ## Recent user reviews (10 of 16) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synonymy-lite/id938998017/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Pls make available in Canada! *2025-08-16, version 4.0.0* Somehow I just stumbled on the “lite” version of this game. Fell in LOVE! Unfortunately, when I went to purchase, I received a message that it is not available in my country. FRIG! I was on a roll. I am now heartbroken. Devastated. Morose. Sad. Poor. Bereft. ### 5/5 — Favorite *2017-04-10, version 4.0.0* Fun, fair and gratifying. One of my favorites! ### 5/5 — Challenging *2017-04-08, version 4.0.0* A really difficult challenge to wrap your brain around but worth it. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2016-03-01, version 3.0.5* Only opens main menu, then nothing happens if you tap the options. Disappointing... ### 1/5 — Frozen *2016-01-16, version 3.0.5* IPhone 6 (iOS 9.2) - Couldn't progress past the main menu. Loading animation works but tapping on "new game" or "tutorial" does nothing. ### 1/5 — Too Limited on its word choice *2015-06-14, version 2.0.1* This would be a great little word app - if it weren't for the fact that the program they're using to randomly generate the words has such limited imagination! I rapidly got tired of each new grid having the same words over and over and why they have subjects is mystifying as none of the words relate to the categories. You choose Zombie Apocalypse and you get a first grid with relevant words and then every grid after it has names of herbs or an entirely random collection of words. It's a shame because if it had a decent word generator it would be an entertaining little app. ### 5/5 — Amazing *2015-03-13, version 2.0* Amazing app. Really good for learning new words and improving your vocabulary. It's good for both native and non native (advanced level) English speakers. Highly recommended. ### 1/5 — Too many ads *2015-01-03, version 1.3* I understand they must make money but there are too many ads on the lite version for me to get any continuity to play, hence I won't be buying the full version. ### 1/5 — Impossible to hear instructions ! *2015-01-03, version 1.3* For a game involving wordplay to be totally inaccessible to someone with hearing impairment due to awful and unnecessary background 'music' is outrageous. I could not even make out the instructions for playing and there was no text alternative that I could find. I am surprised that Richard Dawkins and Stephen Fry are backing such an inaccessible game. Before starting on other languages please ensure the English can be heard or read. Very disappointed. ### 4/5 — Genius idea *2014-12-28, version 1.3* This is a great concept and I like the layout of the game, it is clear and well designed. My only issue is that nowhere I have seen in the instructions does it say the aim of the game. Is a lower or higher score better? With clarification of the aim and points system this would be a five-star game. ## Frequently asked questions about Synonymy Lite ### What is Synonymy Lite? Synonymy Lite is a free educational word game where players find paths between words using synonyms. It features narration by Richard Dawkins and a unique visualization of the English language's word network. ### Does Synonymy Lite have ads? No, Synonymy Lite is ad-free. It may present a pop-up prompt to purchase the full version of the game. ### What devices does Synonymy Lite support? Synonymy Lite is designed to work best on iPhone 5/iPad 2 or later and requires iOS 8 or later. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod. ### What is the age rating for Synonymy Lite? Synonymy Lite has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for young children and general audiences. ### How often is Synonymy Lite updated? The latest version, 4.0.0, was released on September 9, 2016. The app was rebuilt in version 3.0 for improved performance and user experience. ### Can I play Synonymy Lite offline? The description does not explicitly state offline play capabilities. However, the core gameplay of finding synonym paths suggests it may function without an internet connection. ### What makes Synonymy Lite different from the full version? The lite version has restrictions on multiplayer and difficulty settings. The full version supports unrestricted multiplayer and weekly global challenges. ### Does Synonymy Lite have multiplayer? The lite version has restrictions on multiplayer. The full version of the game supports unrestricted multiplayer gameplay. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 4.0.0 — 2016-09-09 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. A long overdue update that significantly boosts performance and stability. We have also added an additional, complimentery difficulty setting to the free version! ### 3.0.5 — 2015-09-16 Now only serving local ads (a brief pop-up) and a huge performance upgrade for all devices. This is a major update with the mechanics rebuilt from the ground up to make the game easier and much more fun. The order of the synonyms is now dynamically generated according to difficulty setting and your target word so you don't have to comb through as many, especially the closer you are to your goal. The score algorithm has been rebuilt accordingly. Several bug fixes have also been addressed. ### 2.0.1 — 2015-03-23 ** Fixed bug where background video disappeared. Version 2.0 includes dramatic improvements to performance and database verisimilitude. A new weekly challenge engine in which users can compete globally on set start words and end words. Various other improvements to gameplay and aesthetics as well as better social media integration. Read full list of features here: http://www.synonymy-game.com/synonymy2.0.html ### 2.0 — 2015-03-06 Includes dramatic improvements to performance and database verisimilitude. A new weekly challenge engine in which users can compete globally on set start words and end words. Various other improvements to gameplay and aesthetics as well as better social media integration. Read full list of features here: http://www.synonymy-game.com/synonymy2.0.html ### 1.3 — 2014-11-20 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Synonymy Lite | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Letter Rooms: Fun Anagrams](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/letter-rooms-fun-anagrams/id1563407977) | 4.6 (470) | Free | Games | | [Adventures:Fun Learning Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adventuresfun-learning-games/id6448799921) | 3.0 (2) | Free | Games | | [Word Connect: Association Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-connect-association-game/id6473465844) | 4.7 (1,963) | Free | Games | | [To The 9s](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/to-the-9s/id930149662) | 4.6 (5) | Free | Games | | [MagiWords](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magiwords/id928948599) | 4.0 (4) | Free | Games | | [Astraware Wordsearch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-wordsearch/id592707249) | 4.8 (55) | Free | Games | ## More apps by Cinq-Mars Media - [Synonymy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synonymy/id924648807) - [Word Unknown](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-unknown/id1064901570) - [SugarSweet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sugarsweet/id1151606636) - [PolitiTruth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polititruth/id1217091559) - [The Devil's Calculator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-devils-calculator/id1447599858) All apps by Cinq-Mars Media: https://appshunter.io/developer/924648806 ## Related topics [synonymy lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/synonymy-lite) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*