Synonyms for apparatus
ˌæp əˈræt əs, -ˈreɪ təsap·pa·ra·tus

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:2.8 / 4 votes

1. apparatusnoun

   The entirety of means whereby a specific production is made existent or task accomplished.

   Synonyms:
   dynamic, mechanism, setup

2. apparatusnoun

   A complex machine or instrument.

   Synonyms:
   machinery, instrument

3. apparatusnoun

   An assortment of tools or instruments.

   Synonyms:
   equipment, gear, tool

4. apparatusnoun

   Synonyms:
   machine

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 2 votes

1. apparatus

   A tool is something that is both contrived and used for extending the force of an intelligent agent to something that is to be operated upon. Those things by which pacific and industrial operations are performed are alone properly called tools, those designed for warlike purposes being designated weapons. An instrument is anything through which power is applied and a result produced; in general usage, the word is of considerably wider meaning than tool; as, a piano is a musical instrument. Instrument is the word usually applied to tools used in scientific pursuits; as, we speak of a surgeon's or an optician's instruments. An implement is a mechanical agency considered with reference to some specific purpose to which it is adapted; as, an agricultural implement; implements of war. Implement is a less technical and artificial term than tool. The paw of a tiger might be termed a terrible implement, but not a tool. A utensil is that which may be used for some special purpose; the word is especially applied to articles used for domestic or agricultural purposes; as, kitchen utensils; farming utensils. An appliance is that which is or may be applied to the accomplishment of a result, either independently or as subordinate to something more extensive or important; every mechanical tool is an appliance, but not every appliance is a tool; the traces of a harness are appliances for traction, but they are not tools. Mechanism is a word of wide meaning, denoting any combination of mechanical devices for united action. A machine in the most general sense is any mechanical instrument for the conversion of motion; in this sense a lever is a machine; but in more commonly accepted usage a machine is distinguished from a tool by its complexity, and by the combination and coordination of powers and movements for the production of a result. A chisel by itself is a tool; when it is set so as to be operated by a crank and pitman, the entire mechanism is called a machine; as, a mortising-machine. An apparatus may be a machine, but the word is commonly used for a collection of distinct articles to be used in connection or combination for a certain purpose — a mechanical equipment; as, the apparatus of a gymnasium; especially, for a collection of appliances for some scientific purpose; as, a chemical or surgical apparatus; an apparatus may include many tools, instruments, or implements. Implement is for the most part and utensil is altogether restricted to the literal sense; instrument, machine, and tool have figurative use, instrument being used largely in a good, tool always in a bad sense; machine inclines to the unfavorable sense, as implying that human agents are made mechanically subservient to some controlling will; as, an instrument of Providence; the tool of a tyrant; a political machine.

   Synonyms:
   appliance, implement, instrument, machine, mechanism, tool, utensil, weapon

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.0 / 10 votes

1. apparatus, setupnoun

   equipment designed to serve a specific function

   Synonyms:
   frame-up, setup

2. apparatusnoun

   (anatomy) a group of body parts that work together to perform a given function

   "the breathing apparatus"

   Synonyms:
   setup

Matched Categories

1. • Anatomy
   • Body Part
   • Equipment

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. apparatusnoun

   Synonyms:
   tools, instruments, utensils, means

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "apparatus":

   appliances, device, equipment, devices, appliance, aircraft, instrumentation, machine, machinery, utensil, camera, instruments, machines, instrument

Suggested Resources

1. apparatus

   Song lyrics by apparatus -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by apparatus on the Lyrics.com website.

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How to use apparatus in a sentence?

1. Jeb Bush:

   I'm sick and tired of him going after my family, my dad is the greatest man alive, in my mind. While Donald Trump was building a reality TV show, my brother was building a security apparatus to keep us safe and I'm proud of what he did.

2. Baron Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett:

   May every young scientist remember... and not fail to keep his eyes open for the possibility that an irritating failure of his apparatus to give consistent results may once or twice in a lifetime conceal an important discovery.

3. Eric Adams:

   It is unfortunate the climate we’re working under … where the entire criminal-justice apparatus has turned away from the public and the rights of the public to live safe in their city.

4. Sarah Feinberg:

   The apparatus that exists was to allow safety regulators to write and finalize common sense safety regulations that will protect people – protect their homes, protect their water, protect their children, protect their health – it’s totally broken, and the reason it’s totally broken is because the Congress and others – other administrations – will insert themselves into the process and take it over … from safety regulators and say, ‘I know better and I’m going to protect the industry from whatever you’re trying to force its hand on.’.

5. John Miller:

   We’ve put together a global apparatus to fight terror, we’ve gotten a lot right.