System, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for generating synonyms of a search query

A system 10 for generating synonyms of a search query includes a database 22 for storing session logs including query data and a processor 14 configured to execute computer-readable instructions for tying the search query to a category, analyzing query data of session logs to formulate groups of synonym candidates, selecting one of groups containing a synonym candidate that matches the search query, and filtering the selected group by tying each candidate of the selected group to a respective category, comparing the category of the search query with the category of each of the candidates of the selected group, and removing at least one candidate from the selected group to form a set of synonyms with each synonym being tied to a category that is common with the category of the search query. The query, such as an online shopping query for good and/or services, may be entered using a web search engine.