Such As Synonym List: Like, Including, For Instance

The everyday such as synonym is like, and in writing you will lean on including, for example, for instance and the short form e.g. All of them introduce examples, but they sit differently in a sentence and they take different commas.

That grammar is where most mistakes happen. For example can open a sentence; such as normally cannot. Namely gives the full list; such as only gives a sample. So each option below for another word for such as is paired with its usual slot in the sentence.

Swatch at a glance

Best swaps
like, including, for example, for instance
Part of speech
Phrase (works like a preposition)
Most formal
notably, e.g., among others
Most casual
like, say
Antonyms
None. Transition phrases have no true opposite.
Watch out
Namely and i.e. are not swaps. They name everything, not just some.

Every such as synonym and where it goes

Phrase	Position	Example
like	before a noun list	Fruits like mango and kiwi are rich in vitamin C.
including	before a noun list, often after a comma	The kit has tools, including a saw and a drill.
for example	start, middle or end of a clause	Some birds, for example the swift, sleep in flight.
for instance	same as for example	Take, for instance, the town library.
e.g.	in parentheses or notes	Bring warm layers (e.g., a fleece).
say	casual speech	Pick a color, say green.
notably	before the strongest example	Several cities, notably Lisbon, saw growth.

The for example synonyms and including synonyms pages go deeper on those two.

Like or such as

Some style guides once said such as means examples while like means similar to. So cities like Rome was read as cities resembling Rome, not Rome itself. Today almost all careful writers accept both. Use such as when you want a slightly formal sound or when the list is long, and like in relaxed writing and speech.

The chip strip shows this range. Like and say are chatty. Including and for instance are neutral. Notably is the most formal and also adds emphasis.

Swaps in real sentences

Hobbies such as hiking and painting becomes hobbies like hiking and painting.
Many skills, such as teamwork, matter becomes many skills matter, including teamwork.
Sports such as tennis need focus becomes some sports need focus. Tennis, for example, rewards patience.
Use a strong password, such as a long phrase becomes use a strong password (e.g., a long phrase).
Big firms such as banks were hit becomes big firms, particularly banks, were hit.

A school essay: "Renewable sources such as wind and solar are growing. Countries such as Denmark lead." The repeat is noticeable. Revised: "Renewable sources such as wind and solar are growing, and Denmark, for instance, already leads."

Comma rules in one minute

If the examples are extra information, put commas around them: Root vegetables, such as carrots and beets, store well. If the examples define which ones you mean, leave the commas out: Vegetables such as carrots store well, but leafy ones do not.

For example and for instance usually sit between two commas when placed mid-sentence. E.g. is often followed by a comma in American style and not in British style; either is fine if you stay consistent.

Swaps that change the meaning

Namely and i.e. say that what follows is the complete set: two colors, namely red and blue. Such as only gives a sample. Especially and particularly pick out a standout case rather than offering neutral examples, so save them for a case you want to stress. Etc. should not follow such as, since such as already says the list is partial: avoid such as apples, pears, etc. See especially synonyms for the emphasis words.

Such and as in other patterns

The words also appear in such a and such that, which are different structures. The noise was such that we left means it was so loud we left; no example is being given, so none of the swaps above apply. Similarly, as such means in itself or therefore. For more linking phrases, browse our transition words list.

Frequently asked questions

May such as come first in a sentence?

Only in fragments or lists, and most teachers dislike it. Start with for example or for instance instead, then give the full sentence.

Is like less formal than such as?

Slightly. Both are correct for examples, but such as sounds more polished in essays and reports, while like is natural in speech and casual writing.

How do such as and including differ?

Their meaning is almost identical. Including often follows a comma once the main clause is done, while such as often sits right after the noun it describes.

Should I use e.g. or such as?

Use such as in running text and save e.g. for parentheses, tables and notes. Spelled-out phrases read more smoothly in an essay.

Does such as have an antonym?

No. It is a linking phrase, so it has no opposite. The closest contrast is namely, which introduces a complete list instead of examples.