When Rashi uses the synonym method he does not explain the meaning of a word but rather the distinction between two similar words both of whose meanings we already know.

Today's examples illustrate the differences between urgent and hurry or between escape and save. When expounding on the synonym principle the simplest way of explaining the Rashi is to translate the verse with the proposed Rashi synonym meaning incorporated in the translation. Today's Rashi example are presented in the translation immediately below:

Verse Gn19-15:17 discussing the saving of Lot prior to the destruction of Sedom and Amorah states At dawn the angels were urgent with Lot, saying; Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you will be swept away away in the iniquity of the city. But he lingered, and the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful to him; and they brought him out, and set him outside the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, Escape for your life; look not behind you, nor stay in the plain; escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed.