Synonyms for

Tortoise

Verb / ˈtɔ:rtʌs / Another word for tortoise — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a slow-moving land reptile with a bony shell and short legs.

Synonyms & similar words

Synonyms by register

Formal

Literary

Antonyms

Common collocations

  • slow tortoise
  • ancient tortoise
  • tortoise shell
  • tortoise and the hare
  • land tortoise
  • giant tortoise
  • tortoise speed
  • tortoise race

Word family

Usage note

While 'tortoise' specifically refers to a land-dwelling reptile, it is sometimes used informally to refer to any turtle, especially in older literature or when the distinction is not important.

Example sentences

  1. The tortoise moved slowly across the grass.
  2. She kept a tortoise as a pet.
  3. The tortoise is known for its hard shell.
  4. I learned about the tortoise in science class.
  5. The tortoise won the race against the hare.

Quotes

  • Slow and steady wins the race. - Aesop
  • A tortoise doesn't run a race. He plods along slowly and steadily, and somehow he always gets there! - Tomie dePaola
  • The difference between a turtle and a tortoise is that the turtle lives in the water, while the tortoise lives on land. - W. Somerset Maugham

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