SynMap App Reviews

17 Customer Reviews:

Nice way to brainstorm finding the right (accurate, veracious) word. Ideas spin out as you look at the word cluster. Very fair price for what it offers. Thanks

Rick-G. v1.2.4 · 9 years ago

App crashes

Cannot judge the quality of the program as it crashes upon start up.

escoladi v1.0 · 13 years ago

SynMap is a great language learning tool and allows one to understand the meanings of words in a contextual sense. The relationship mapping of words also provides an enhanced breadth of the word. I can see this tool benefitting those learning the english language or coming across new terminonology in advanced studies. Im really happy with this app, Id recommnend it to all.

Student Northeastern Univ. · 14 years ago

A phenomenal application useful for both writers and readers, SynMap offers a very visual experience on words. Its a combined dictionary and thesaurus, and makes for a decent replacement for ordinary dictionaries. If youre on the fence about buying this because of its lofty price tag, its understandable. Buy it only if you find yourself going to the dictionary a lot, and you will not regret putting up the money to purchase this app.

Zoureater · 14 years ago

Not mountain lion ready

not updated and crashes on mountain lion.

Linu A · 13 years ago

Will not launch on OSX 10.8

Please update this app! Great product but will not run under current OS.

matthej3 · 13 years ago

A great app, and very useful. But not yet with Mtn Lion. I have had emails with the developer who has submitted a Mtn Lion compatible update to the App Store so now its in Apples lap.

SG_AZ · 13 years ago

Was enjoying this app until recently when I tried to open it. It just crashed. And now it wont even start. Every time I try to open it, I have to submit an Apple problem report. Frustrating.

Miguel Luna · 13 years ago

Crashes on Mountain Lion

Crashes constantly. Will update the review once it is fixed.

nickgadna · 13 years ago

Doesn;t work

?? I open the application and it is unresponsive.

Scorpion101 · 13 years ago

I used to really love this app! It had everything I loved and needed for my job as a writer and editor. Unfortunately it wont open anymore, and crashes. I cant even use it! So when they get it back up and running Id be happy to give it 5 stars, but for now its a 1 for me.

Evm123 · 12 years ago

Keep chrashing

It keeeeeep chrashing with maverik OS

new ash · 12 years ago

Mavericks bug fixed. Works great again.

Similar to a tool on dictionary’s website that is a paid service. This is a great app.

JohnQueue · 12 years ago

A few years back the Visual Thesaurus went online and my CD copy of it became incompatible with any current MAC OS which sucked for me because as a writer I used it a lot. When SynMap came out I jumped on it because of its obvious similarity to VS in the way that it provokes creativity and word learning by allowing the user to ‘play’ with the words onscreen in a way that a regular dictionary book or program does not. I have had no problems with the SynMap app until trying to use it on the newest Mac OS (Maverick). Now it seems to open and operate for a while but after about 10 minutes will ‘unexpectedly quit’. I am hoping that the developers will fix the problem and it will be resolved in an update. Besides that I really enjoy the program and use it daily. It has an easy interface on both sides of ‘SynMap’ with definitions, synonyms, antonyms, ext. The other side can (your preference) display your search history so you can go back to the words you have looked up. And all this around the main feature of displaying the searched words in a visually interactive way that inspires you to have fun with words and their definitions. Great App! -s,all suggestion to the developers for updates: Clicking a word in a definition (on the right sidebar) will change the Synmap to display that word. But the word will not change in the main search bar (above the definitions). It would be more efficient and pleasing to the user to have that word in the search bar change as well as the SynMap to whatever word you click inside the app.

Jeremiah Dirt · 12 years ago

I’ve been using this app for a while and thought it a good idea to post why I’ve found it useful. First of all, I like seeing the word relationships in the spider graph. The ability to *feel* your way to the right word, by clicking along is an interesting interface. The process may lead you to unexpectedly pleasant outcomes that you might never find in the traditional way. Of course SynMap does not replace a thesaurus or a dictionary. Also, of course, any writer worth his/her salt should not write with the thesaurus beside them - there is no surer way to clutter your inner voice - but when you have a tantalizing word that you cannot recall, there is no shame in reaching for help. In this case, SynMap can provided a good way to the solution.

The Epicurean · 10 years ago

Synmap is fast! Type a word and it shows a visual thesaurus of your word and all other related words in a nice visual interface. The left column shows the word definitions broken down by the part of speech you are looking for (nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs as applicable). I love that this app is updated and compatible with the latest Mac OS versions. I usually keep this app open when I’m writing and have found that it is an indespensible tool for finding and upgrading the word you are looking for. I’m hoping the developer can be talked into integrating SynMap with a PopClip extension so that I can simply highlight a word in any other app and then see it displayed in SynMap, but copy, launching SynMap and pasting isn’t killing me, but it would save me time!

Riptide360 · 10 years ago

Good New concept study Dictionary! It need some short cut! As Finder, Forward ]⌘ Backword [⌘ or →⌘ ←⌘ or anythingesle sound short cut also needed for more smooth operation! Please consider my idea next update!!!! Thank for good app! And have a Nice Day!!!

AVATAMSAKA IN KOREA.S · 10 years ago

Was Excellent, less so now, probably headed to defunct

The links here to Sergejs Melderis' website/support are dead. He still seems to be around as a software engineer but a 2021 date is the latest I found him active, so don't anyone hope to get a fix for the crashing. For me, crashes are guaranteed but so sporadic I can't track down any incompatibles that might be causing them but version 4.2 has seen a lot of OS updates. The app still works enough of the time to be helpful, and the crashes don't cause any lasting corruption or damage (for me) but it's probably downhill from here. It's too bad cuz the app's beautifully designed and has really helped when I'm pressured with a deadline and can't quickly come up with the best or strongest word. It still basically works so it isn't quite R.I.P. time for SynMap but I think the spade is on the job -

DavidPabian · 3 years ago

crashes a lot

This works fine except that it seems to crash every few searches.

Skurch3 · 4 years ago

Awesome, but...

It constantly crashes! Every. Single. Session. The program constantly closes when I'm using it. Apple MacBook Pro that's less than 2 years old, plenty of memory, and I don't have a bunch of programs running at the same time. I wan't my $3.00 back. This shouldn't even be on the app store.

03Teufel · 4 years ago

It finally worked TODAY

I haven't used Synmap for years, mainly, because it never works. However, today, I was a bit more stubbborn, and after persisting for several minutes, I finaly got it to work. I just wonder what it will be like the next time I try. I shudder at the thought. (Sun Jun 13, 2021)

Picklepop · 4 years ago

Convenient

This is a great quick reference tool. I have books that go a little deeper but if I just need to have a push toward the right word, this app is all I need. I don't have to throw a thick volume into my bacpack; I just need to click those strange little circles.

Pro Shopper · 5 years ago

great app

I use this app while I write quite a bit. I like it enough to keep opening. It does help me sometimes. Honestly, I was a little underwhelmed by the resulsts it provided at first, I felt like it was pretty low, but now I just know when it will help or not and go to it then.

ZIAPDX · 5 years ago

Both Helpful and Entertaining

I have to admit I'm entertained by words and their associations and I love mind-maps. To have both in one is a delight and very useful in writing. It's not quite perfect yet (i'd like to give it 4.5 stars but bumped it up for it being an innovative concept). I hope the developer will continue to add word associations and navigation tools or shortcuts. Please make an ios version for my iPad Pro.

mkgreer · 5 years ago

I find this app very useful

I like this method of displaying synonyms and their relationship to the search word and each other. There's an app for iPad called WordFlex that takes this methedology even further.

Richard Cœur de Lion · 5 years ago

Priceless Resource for Writers

"Clunk"... my mac hit the floor umbrageously after spending 20 minutes on Thesaurus.com trying to find the right word to describe the art in my heart only to be thwarted on my quest by neverending ads. "Isn't there an app for that?" my SO enthralled with his words smiled. I felt a ping of awe in those words that I had failed to conjuour myself. Then... I found SynMap. I am a visiual person that thrives on simplicity and easy to use things that "just work". I apprecate the word webs with words that I often hadn't considered to be exactly what I was looking for but... better! Please continue to grow this app it is an exceptional tool that I would cry if I didn't have. Thank you for this beautiful and extraordinary tool that has become priceless in my life for the time and energy it saves me on a daily basis. TD McCurdy

Tamalily · 5 years ago

NOTHING HAPPENS

A totally useless app. nothing happens when I type a word into the serch bar and click on the search icon. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

ratwoman · 6 years ago

Does a great job of finding better words

This app really helped he hone in on better words for my writing. I love it!

Jenslove196548 · 6 years ago

embarassingly life-changing

who knew? i’m a network biologist so this app is my dream come true. my technical writing needs to be detailed and very precise, so hunting for the perfect word/phrase is more enjoyable and efficient with synmap.

fish8888 · 8 years ago

interesting presentation, not much there

I was hoping from the reviews that this would be a great adjunct to my writing. Not so much, very limited in its thesaurus associations. Really interesting interface, it just needs (far) more depth to what its offering.

why nickname?? · 9 years ago

Brilliant!

Nice way to brainstorm finding the right (accurate, veracious) word. Ideas spin out as you look at the word cluster. Very fair price for what it offers. Thanks

Rick-G. · 9 years ago

Good mind map dictionary

Good New concept study Dictionary! It need some short cut! As Finder, Forward ]⌘ Backword [⌘ or →⌘ ←⌘ or anythingesle sound short cut also needed for more smooth operation! Please consider my idea next update!!!! Thank for good app! And have a Nice Day!!!

AVATAMSAKA IN KOREA.S · 10 years ago

A must for all writers!

Synmap is fast! Type a word and it shows a visual thesaurus of your word and all other related words in a nice visual interface. The left column shows the word definitions broken down by the part of speech you are looking for (nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs as applicable). I love that this app is updated and compatible with the latest Mac OS versions. I usually keep this app open when I’m writing and have found that it is an indespensible tool for finding and upgrading the word you are looking for. I’m hoping the developer can be talked into integrating SynMap with a PopClip extension so that I can simply highlight a word in any other app and then see it displayed in SynMap, but copy, launching SynMap and pasting isn’t killing me, but it would save me time!

Riptide360 · 10 years ago

Graphical Interface is a Good Paradigm

I’ve been using this app for a while and thought it a good idea to post why I’ve found it useful. First of all, I like seeing the word relationships in the spider graph. The ability to *feel* your way to the right word, by clicking along is an interesting interface. The process may lead you to unexpectedly pleasant outcomes that you might never find in the traditional way. Of course SynMap does not replace a thesaurus or a dictionary. Also, of course, any writer worth his/her salt should not write with the thesaurus beside them - there is no surer way to clutter your inner voice - but when you have a tantalizing word that you cannot recall, there is no shame in reaching for help. In this case, SynMap can provided a good way to the solution.

The Epicurean · 10 years ago

I utilize this app a lot.

A few years back the Visual Thesaurus went online and my CD copy of it became incompatible with any current MAC OS which sucked for me because as a writer I used it a lot. When SynMap came out I jumped on it because of its obvious similarity to VS in the way that it provokes creativity and word learning by allowing the user to ‘play’ with the words onscreen in a way that a regular dictionary book or program does not. I have had no problems with the SynMap app until trying to use it on the newest Mac OS (Maverick). Now it seems to open and operate for a while but after about 10 minutes will ‘unexpectedly quit’. I am hoping that the developers will fix the problem and it will be resolved in an update. Besides that I really enjoy the program and use it daily. It has an easy interface on both sides of ‘SynMap’ with definitions, synonyms, antonyms, ext. The other side can (your preference) display your search history so you can go back to the words you have looked up. And all this around the main feature of displaying the searched words in a visually interactive way that inspires you to have fun with words and their definitions. Great App! -s,all suggestion to the developers for updates: Clicking a word in a definition (on the right sidebar) will change the Synmap to display that word. But the word will not change in the main search bar (above the definitions). It would be more efficient and pleasing to the user to have that word in the search bar change as well as the SynMap to whatever word you click inside the app.

Jeremiah Dirt · 12 years ago

Mavericks bug fixed. Works great again.

Similar to a tool on dictionary’s website that is a paid service. This is a great app.

JohnQueue · 12 years ago

Keep chrashing

It keeeeeep chrashing with maverik OS

new ash · 12 years ago

Used to be great

I used to really love this app! It had everything I loved and needed for my job as a writer and editor. Unfortunately it won't open anymore, and crashes. I can't even use it! So when they get it back up and running I'd be happy to give it 5 stars, but for now it's a 1 for me.

Evm123 · 12 years ago

Doesn;t work

?? I open the application and it is unresponsive.

jamesoloughlin · 13 years ago

Crashes on Mountain Lion

Crashes constantly. Will update the review once it is fixed.

nickgadna · 13 years ago

Won't stop crashing on Mountain Lion

Was enjoying this app until recently when I tried to open it. It just crashed. And now it won't even start. Every time I try to open it, I have to submit an Apple problem report. Frustrating.

Miguel Luna · 13 years ago

Mtn Lion coming . . .

A great app, and very useful. But not yet with Mtn Lion. I have had emails with the developer who has submitted a Mtn Lion compatible update to the App Store so now it's in Apple's lap.

SG_AZ · 13 years ago

Will not launch on OSX 10.8

Please update this app! Great product but will not run under current OS.

matthej3 · 13 years ago

Not mountain lion ready

not updated and crashes on mountain lion.

Zendevote · 13 years ago

Great For All Writers Aborad!

A phenomenal application useful for both writers and readers, SynMap offers a very visual experience on words. It's a combined dictionary and thesaurus, and makes for a decent replacement for ordinary dictionaries. If you're on the fence about buying this because of its lofty price tag, it's understandable. Buy it only if you find yourself going to the dictionary a lot, and you will not regret putting up the money to purchase this app.

Zoureater · 14 years ago

Awesome language tool!!!

SynMap is a great language learning tool and allows one to understand the meanings of words in a contextual sense. The relationship mapping of words also provides an enhanced breadth of the word. I can see this tool benefitting those learning the english language or coming across new terminonology in advanced studies. I'm really happy with this app, I'd recommnend it to all.

Nelsonalopes · 14 years ago