WordHippo
Focus: synonyms and word finder. Shares thesaurus and vocabulary with Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.5Visit
Website
Merriam-Webster
A free online dictionary and thesaurus with word games and a Word of the Day.
Rating
4.6 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Web
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Merriam-Webster?
Merriam-Webster is an online dictionary from an Encyclopaedia Britannica company. The website lets you look up definitions and synonyms in its dictionary and thesaurus, browse example sentences and read grammar and usage articles, such as when to use who or whom. It also has daily word games and quizzes like Quordle and Blossom, a Word of the Day by email, videos and a podcast, plus kids', medical and legal dictionaries and its own apps. The site is supported by ads, and the separate Unabridged dictionary is a paid subscription.
Pros: what Merriam-Webster does well
- Dictionary and thesaurus in one place
- Clear grammar and usage articles
- Daily word games for building vocabulary
Cons: where it falls short
- The free site shows ads
- The Unabridged dictionary needs a subscription
Who Merriam-Webster is for
Writers and students who look up words and usage often.
Who can skip it
People writing mainly in British English who prefer a UK dictionary.
Merriam-Webster alternatives
Not sold on Merriam-Webster? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Visuwords
Focus: word map. Shares dictionary and thesaurus with Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Rated 4.4 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.4Visit
Rewordify
Focus: reading, simplify text and teachers. Shares vocabulary with Merriam-Webster. A web app, not a website. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Rated 4.4 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.4Visit
Butterick's Practical Typography
Focus: typography, writing and layout. Also in Writing and Learning, like Merriam-Webster. A book, not a website. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Rated 4.8 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
BookFreeWeb
4.8Visit
WordReference
Focus: translation, languages and forums. Shares dictionary with Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb, iOS
4.7Visit
Linguee
Focus: translation, languages and context. Shares dictionary with Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Adds iOS and Android. Same 4.6 rating.
WebsiteFreeWeb, iOS
4.6Visit
Free alternatives to Merriam-Webster
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
Wiktionary
Focus: languages, etymology and translations. Shares dictionary with Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Same 4.6 rating.
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.6Visit
OneLook
Focus: words and writing. Shares dictionary and thesaurus with Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Same 4.6 rating.
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.6Visit
Wikipedia
Focus: encyclopedia, reference and research. Also in Learning and Reading, like Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.8 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb, iOS
4.8Visit
BBC Bitesize
Focus: revision, gcse and school. Also in Learning and Reading, like Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit
Google Arts & Culture
Focus: art, museums and culture. Also in Learning and Reading, like Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb, iOS
4.7Visit
Internet Archive
Focus: digital library, wayback machine and archives. Also in Learning and Reading, like Merriam-Webster. Free (Merriam-Webster: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Merriam-Webster: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit
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