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Communications Synonyms (With Explanations)

Strategic communications (with an -s) = public relations (PR).

Jerry Silfwer
by Jerry Silfwer

Cover photo: @jerrysilfwer

tl:dr;
Communications synonyms: Communications (with an -s) is often found in professional settings, such as Communications Department, Corporate Communications, etc.

Table of contents [hide]

Here are com­mu­nic­a­tions syn­onyms (with explanations).

What are the best altern­at­ives to “com­mu­nic­a­tions” — and when should you use them? 

Here we go:

Communications Synonyms

Merriam-Webster sug­gests the fol­low­ing 25 syn­onyms for com­mu­nic­a­tions: 1Thesaurus res­ults for COMMUNICATIONS. (2024). Merriam​-Webster​.com. https://​www​.mer​ri​am​-web​ster​.com/​t​h​e​s​a​u​r​u​s​/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​ons

  • mes­sages
  • dis­patches
  • let­ters
  • reports
  • news
  • memor­anda
  • bul­let­ins
  • memos
  • memor­andums
  • com­mu­niqués
  • notices
  • intel­li­gence
  • instruc­tions
  • notes
  • epistles
  • expresses
  • missives
  • tid­ings
  • e‑mails
  • dir­ect­ives
  • words
  • voice mails
  • elec­tron­ic mails
  • com­mands
  • orders

The word com­mu­nic­a­tions (with an ‑s) is often found in pro­fes­sion­al set­tings, such as Communications Department, Corporate Communications, Crisis Communications, Communications Plan, Communications Strategy, etc.

Learn more: Communications Synonyms (With Explanations)

The Communication Definition

Based on the Shannon-Weaver mod­el of com­mu­nic­a­tion, this is the defin­i­tion of com­mu­nic­a­tion: 2Silfwer, J. (2022, February 18). The Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​s​h​a​n​n​o​n​-​w​e​a​v​e​r​-​m​o​d​e​l​-​o​f​-​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​on/

Communication = the pro­cess of encod­ing a mes­sage from an inform­a­tion source and trans­mit­ting it through a channel/​medium to be decoded by a receiv­er. 3Silfwer, J. (2020, February 18). The Communication Definition. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​-​d​e​f​i​n​i​t​i​on/

Strategic Communication Definition

From a pub­lic rela­tions (PR) per­spect­ive, the inten­tion­al dis­sem­in­a­tion of inform­a­tion to influ­ence and per­suade is added to the con­text, provid­ing us with this defin­i­tion of stra­tegic communication:

Strategic com­mu­nic­a­tion = the delib­er­ate pro­cess of encod­ing an optim­ised mes­sage from an inform­a­tion source, trans­mit­ting it through a chosen channel/​medium while min­im­ising noise and ensur­ing that a receiv­er accur­ately decodes it. 4Silfwer, J. (2020, February 18). The Communication Definition. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​-​d​e​f​i​n​i​t​i​on/

Please note: “Strategic com­mu­nic­a­tions” is syn­onym­ous with “pub­lic rela­tions” (i.e. using com­mu­nic­at­ive means to achieve com­pet­it­ive objectives).

Everything Communicates

As a stark remind­er of the import­ance of con­text, and the fact that “no com­mu­nic­a­tion” also tells us some­thing, PR pro­fes­sion­als often repeat this pop­u­lar mantra:

Everything com­mu­nic­ates.

Learn more: Communication Definition

Communications or Communication?

Have you ever wondered why pub­lic rela­tions pro­fes­sion­als often refer to com­mu­nic­a­tions (with an — s) instead of com­mu­nic­a­tion (without an — s)?

The terms “com­mu­nic­a­tions” and “com­mu­nic­a­tion” are often used inter­change­ably, yet they embody sep­ar­ate con­cepts with­in the con­text of lan­guage, tech­no­logy, and the study of human inter­ac­tion. 5Rivera, K. (2017). Communication vs Communications. Csusm​.edu. https://​www​.csusm​.edu/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​/​m​a​j​o​r​_​d​i​f​f​e​r​e​n​c​e​s​.​h​tml 6Communication vs. Communications — Differences Between Master’s Programs. (2024, January 2). MastersinCommunications​.com. https://​www​.mas​tersin​com​mu​nic​a​tions​.com/​f​a​q​s​/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​-​v​s​-​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​ons

While com­mu­nic­a­tion cap­tures the human aspect of shar­ing and inter­pret­ing inform­a­tion, com­mu­nic­a­tions delves into the tech­nic­al realm of mes­sage trans­mis­sion sys­tems and technologies.

  • Communication. Refers to trans­mit­ting inform­a­tion and under­stand­ing from one entity to anoth­er. It is a broad term encom­passing all forms of inter­ac­tion that con­vey mean­ing, includ­ing verbal and non­verbal exchanges, writ­ten mes­sages, and visu­al com­mu­nic­a­tions. This concept is found­a­tion­al in the study of com­mu­nic­a­tion the­ory, high­light­ing the mech­an­isms of mes­sage trans­mis­sion, recep­tion, and inter­pret­a­tion between indi­vidu­als or groups. It focuses on the dynam­ics of the exchange, includ­ing the con­text, chan­nels, effect­ive­ness, and bar­ri­ers to understanding.
  • Communications. Refers to the sys­tems, tech­no­lo­gies, and meth­ods for trans­mit­ting mes­sages over dis­tances. It includes the tools and infra­struc­ture that facil­it­ate the exchange of inform­a­tion, such as tele­com­mu­nic­a­tions net­works, the inter­net, and mass media plat­forms. Communications can also per­tain to the fields of study and pro­fes­sion­al prac­tice that deal with these sys­tems, includ­ing engin­eer­ing, tech­no­logy man­age­ment, and inform­a­tion the­ory. While com­mu­nic­a­tion is about the essence of mes­sage exchange and under­stand­ing, com­mu­nic­a­tions focus more on the tech­nic­al and pro­ced­ur­al aspects of how mes­sages are sent and received across dif­fer­ent mediums.

Understanding the nuances between com­mu­nic­a­tions and com­mu­nic­a­tion can provide insights into the nature of trans­mit­ting inform­a­tion and inter­per­son­al and mass com­mu­nic­a­tion dynamics.

Learn more: Communications or Communication

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Jerry Silfwer
Jerry Silfwerhttps://doctorspin.net/
Jerry Silfwer, alias Doctor Spin, is an awarded senior adviser specialising in public relations and digital strategy. Currently CEO at Spin Factory and KIX Communication Index. Before that, he worked at Whispr Group NYC, Springtime PR, and Spotlight PR. Based in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Cover Photo

The cover photo isn't related to public relations obviously; it's just a photo of mine. Think of it as a 'decorative diversion', a subtle reminder that it's good to have hobbies outside work.

The cover photo has

Lisah Silfwer in a dirty yellow raincoat in front of a waterfall.
Lisah Silfwer in a dirty yellow raincoat in front of a waterfall.

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