diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/cross-dataverse/drop-dataverse/drop-dataverse.2.update.sqlpp b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/cross-dataverse/drop-dataverse/drop-dataverse.2.ddl.sqlpp
similarity index 69%
rename from asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/cross-dataverse/drop-dataverse/drop-dataverse.2.update.sqlpp
rename to asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/cross-dataverse/drop-dataverse/drop-dataverse.2.ddl.sqlpp
index 1f90ae9..8ecdeba 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/cross-dataverse/drop-dataverse/drop-dataverse.2.update.sqlpp
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/cross-dataverse/drop-dataverse/drop-dataverse.2.ddl.sqlpp
@@ -18,8 +18,27 @@
  */
 /*
  * Description  : Test cross dataverse functionality
- *              : create a dataset using a foreign datatype
- *              : Try dropping the foreign type's dataverse
+ *              : create a function using a foreign synonym
+ *              : Try dropping the foreign synonym's dataverse
  * Expected Res : Failure
- * Date         : 2015 Steven Jacobs
  */
+
+drop dataverse b if exists;
+drop dataverse a if exists;
+
+create dataverse a;
+create dataverse b;
+
+create type a.a as {
+  id:int32
+};
+
+create dataset a.b1(a.a) primary key id;
+
+create synonym a.s1 for a.b1;
+
+create function b.f1() {
+  select * from a.s1
+};
+
+drop dataverse a;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.ddl.sqlpp b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.ddl.sqlpp
index c9639c4..0551845 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.ddl.sqlpp
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.ddl.sqlpp
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@
 create dataset TweetMessages(TweetMessageType)
 primary key tweetid autogenerated;
 
+create synonym TweetMessagesSyn1 for TweetMessages;
+
+create synonym TweetMessagesSyn2 for TweetMessages;
+
 create function f1(message, text){
   contains(message,text)
 };
@@ -49,6 +53,10 @@
 (select * from TweetMessages)
 };
 
+create function f5(){
+(select * from TweetMessagesSyn1, TweetMessagesSyn2)
+};
+
 use B;
 
 create dataset TweetMessages2(C.TweetMessageType)
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-4/drop-dependency-4.3.ddl.sqlpp b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-4/drop-dependency-4.3.ddl.sqlpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7943d82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-4/drop-dependency-4.3.ddl.sqlpp
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under A
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Description  : Try to drop a functional dependency
+ *                Drop a synonym that is used by a non-varargs function
+ * Expected Res : Error
+ */
+
+drop dataverse B if exists;
+drop dataverse C if exists;
+create dataverse B;
+create dataverse C;
+use C;
+
+create type TweetMessageType as closed {
+  tweetid: uuid,
+  sender_location: point,
+  send_time: datetime,
+  referred_topics: {{ string }},
+  message_text: string,
+  countA: int32,
+  countB: int32
+};
+
+create dataset TweetMessages(TweetMessageType)
+primary key tweetid autogenerated;
+
+create synonym TweetMessagesSyn for TweetMessages;
+
+use B;
+
+create function f2(place, text){
+ (select m.message_text
+  from C.TweetMessagesSyn m)
+};
+
+use C;
+drop synonym TweetMessagesSyn;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-4/drop-dependency-4.4.ddl.sqlpp b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-4/drop-dependency-4.4.ddl.sqlpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f0ff98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-4/drop-dependency-4.4.ddl.sqlpp
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under A
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Description  : Try to drop a functional dependency
+ *                Drop a synonym that is used by a varargs function
+ * Expected Res : Error
+ */
+
+drop dataverse B if exists;
+drop dataverse C if exists;
+create dataverse B;
+create dataverse C;
+use C;
+
+create type TweetMessageType as closed {
+  tweetid: uuid,
+  sender_location: point,
+  send_time: datetime,
+  referred_topics: {{ string }},
+  message_text: string,
+  countA: int32,
+  countB: int32
+};
+
+create dataset TweetMessages(TweetMessageType)
+primary key tweetid autogenerated;
+
+create synonym TweetMessagesSyn for TweetMessages;
+
+use B;
+
+create function f2(...){
+ (select m.message_text
+  from C.TweetMessagesSyn m)
+};
+
+use C;
+drop synonym TweetMessagesSyn;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-6/drop-dependency-6.3.ddl.sqlpp b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-6/drop-dependency-6.3.ddl.sqlpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6cf428a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-6/drop-dependency-6.3.ddl.sqlpp
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under A
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Description  : Try to drop a functional dependency
+ *                Drop a synonym that is used by a non-varargs function
+ *                from the same dataverse
+ * Expected Res : Error
+ */
+
+drop dataverse C if exists;
+create dataverse C;
+use C;
+
+create type TweetMessageType as closed {
+  tweetid: uuid,
+  sender_location: point,
+  send_time: datetime,
+  referred_topics: {{ string }},
+  message_text: string,
+  countA: int32,
+  countB: int32
+};
+
+create dataset TweetMessages(TweetMessageType)
+primary key tweetid autogenerated;
+
+create synonym TweetMessagesSyn for TweetMessages;
+
+create function f2(place, text){
+ (select m.message_text
+  from C.TweetMessagesSyn m)
+};
+
+drop synonym TweetMessagesSyn;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-6/drop-dependency-6.4.ddl.sqlpp b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-6/drop-dependency-6.4.ddl.sqlpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5198f66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries_sqlpp/user-defined-functions/drop-dependency-6/drop-dependency-6.4.ddl.sqlpp
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under A
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Description  : Try to drop a functional dependency
+ *                Drop a synonym that is used by a varargs function
+ *                from the same dataverse
+ * Expected Res : Error
+ */
+
+drop dataverse C if exists;
+create dataverse C;
+use C;
+
+create type TweetMessageType as closed {
+  tweetid: uuid,
+  sender_location: point,
+  send_time: datetime,
+  referred_topics: {{ string }},
+  message_text: string,
+  countA: int32,
+  countB: int32
+};
+
+create dataset TweetMessages(TweetMessageType)
+primary key tweetid autogenerated;
+
+create synonym TweetMessagesSyn for TweetMessages;
+
+create function f2(...){
+ (select m.message_text
+  from C.TweetMessagesSyn m)
+};
+
+drop synonym TweetMessagesSyn;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.adm b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.adm
index 9b32c3d..2279d69 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.adm
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/user-defined-functions/check-dependencies-1/check-dependencies-1.1.adm
@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@
 { "DataverseName": "C", "Name": "f2", "Dependencies": [ [ [ "C", "TweetMessages" ] ], [ [ "C", "f1", "2" ], [ "B", "f0", "2" ] ], [  ] ] }
 { "DataverseName": "C", "Name": "f3", "Dependencies": [ [  ], [ [ "C", "f2", "2" ] ], [  ] ] }
 { "DataverseName": "C", "Name": "f4", "Dependencies": [ [ [ "C", "TweetMessages" ] ], [  ], [  ] ] }
+{ "DataverseName": "C", "Name": "f5", "Dependencies": [ [  ], [  ], [  ], [ [ "C", "TweetMessagesSyn1" ], [ "C", "TweetMessagesSyn2" ] ] ] }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/testsuite_sqlpp.xml b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/testsuite_sqlpp.xml
index 8963f49..ce3fb7d 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/testsuite_sqlpp.xml
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/testsuite_sqlpp.xml
@@ -11913,6 +11913,7 @@
       <compilation-unit name="drop-dataverse">
         <output-dir compare="Text">drop-dataverse</output-dir>
         <expected-error>ASX1147: Cannot drop dataverse: type a.a being used by dataset b.b1</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1147: Cannot drop dataverse: synonym a.s1 being used by function b.f1()</expected-error>
         <source-location>false</source-location>
       </compilation-unit>
     </test-case>
@@ -12056,8 +12057,10 @@
     <test-case FilePath="user-defined-functions">
       <compilation-unit name="drop-dependency-4">
         <output-dir compare="Text">drop-dependency-4</output-dir>
-        <expected-error>Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function B.f2(2)</expected-error>
-        <expected-error>Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function B.f2(...)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function B.f2(2)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function B.f2(...)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop synonym C.TweetMessagesSyn being used by function B.f2(2)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop synonym C.TweetMessagesSyn being used by function B.f2(...)</expected-error>
         <source-location>false</source-location>
       </compilation-unit>
     </test-case>
@@ -12074,8 +12077,10 @@
     <test-case FilePath="user-defined-functions">
       <compilation-unit name="drop-dependency-6">
         <output-dir compare="Text">drop-dependency-6</output-dir>
-        <expected-error>Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function C.f2(2)</expected-error>
-        <expected-error>Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function C.f2(...)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function C.f2(2)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop dataset C.TweetMessages being used by function C.f2(...)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop synonym C.TweetMessagesSyn being used by function C.f2(2)</expected-error>
+        <expected-error>ASX1148: Cannot drop synonym C.TweetMessagesSyn being used by function C.f2(...)</expected-error>
         <source-location>false</source-location>
       </compilation-unit>
     </test-case>
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-lang-common/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/common/util/FunctionUtil.java b/asterixdb/asterix-lang-common/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/common/util/FunctionUtil.java
index b491e82..7f4e078 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-lang-common/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/common/util/FunctionUtil.java
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-lang-common/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/common/util/FunctionUtil.java
@@ -276,16 +276,27 @@
             Expression expression) throws CompilationException {
         Set<AbstractCallExpression> functionCalls = rewriter.getFunctionCalls(expression);
         //Get the List of used functions and used datasets
-        List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> datasourceDependencies = new ArrayList<>();
+        List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> datasetDependencies = new ArrayList<>();
         List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> functionDependencies = new ArrayList<>();
+        List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> typeDependencies = Collections.emptyList();
+        List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> synonymDependencies = new ArrayList<>();
         for (AbstractCallExpression functionCall : functionCalls) {
             switch (functionCall.getKind()) {
                 case CALL_EXPRESSION:
                     FunctionSignature signature = functionCall.getFunctionSignature();
                     if (isBuiltinDatasetFunction(signature)) {
-                        Pair<DataverseName, String> datasetReference =
-                                parseDatasetFunctionArguments((CallExpr) functionCall);
-                        datasourceDependencies.add(new Triple<>(datasetReference.first, datasetReference.second, null));
+                        CallExpr callExpr = (CallExpr) functionCall;
+                        if (callExpr.getExprList().size() > 2) {
+                            // resolved via synonym -> store synonym name as a dependency
+                            Pair<DataverseName, String> synonymReference = parseDatasetFunctionArguments(callExpr, 2);
+                            synonymDependencies
+                                    .add(new Triple<>(synonymReference.first, synonymReference.second, null));
+                        } else {
+                            // resolved directly -> store dataset name as a dependency
+                            Pair<DataverseName, String> datasetReference = parseDatasetFunctionArguments(callExpr, 0);
+                            datasetDependencies
+                                    .add(new Triple<>(datasetReference.first, datasetReference.second, null));
+                        }
                     } else if (BuiltinFunctions.getBuiltinFunctionInfo(signature.createFunctionIdentifier()) == null) {
                         functionDependencies.add(new Triple<>(signature.getDataverseName(), signature.getName(),
                                 Integer.toString(signature.getArity())));
@@ -299,26 +310,21 @@
                             functionCall.getFunctionSignature().toString(false));
             }
         }
-        List<List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>>> dependencies = new ArrayList<>(3);
-        dependencies.add(datasourceDependencies);
-        dependencies.add(functionDependencies);
-        dependencies.add(Collections.emptyList());
-        return dependencies;
+        return Function.createDependencies(datasetDependencies, functionDependencies, typeDependencies,
+                synonymDependencies);
     }
 
     public static List<List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>>> getExternalFunctionDependencies(
             Collection<TypeSignature> dependentTypes) {
-        List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> datasourceDependencies = Collections.emptyList();
+        List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> datasetDependencies = Collections.emptyList();
         List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> functionDependencies = Collections.emptyList();
         List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> typeDependencies = new ArrayList<>(dependentTypes.size());
+        List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> synonymDependencies = Collections.emptyList();
         for (TypeSignature t : dependentTypes) {
             typeDependencies.add(new Triple<>(t.getDataverseName(), t.getName(), null));
         }
-        List<List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>>> dependencies = new ArrayList<>(3);
-        dependencies.add(datasourceDependencies);
-        dependencies.add(functionDependencies);
-        dependencies.add(typeDependencies);
-        return dependencies;
+        return Function.createDependencies(datasetDependencies, functionDependencies, typeDependencies,
+                synonymDependencies);
     }
 
     public static boolean isBuiltinDatasetFunction(FunctionSignature fs) {
@@ -328,30 +334,31 @@
 
     public static Pair<DataverseName, String> parseDatasetFunctionArguments(CallExpr datasetFn)
             throws CompilationException {
-        return parseDatasetFunctionArguments(datasetFn.getExprList(), datasetFn.getSourceLocation(),
+        return parseDatasetFunctionArguments(datasetFn, 0);
+    }
+
+    public static Pair<DataverseName, String> parseDatasetFunctionArguments(CallExpr datasetFn, int startPos)
+            throws CompilationException {
+        return parseDatasetFunctionArguments(datasetFn.getExprList(), startPos, datasetFn.getSourceLocation(),
                 ExpressionUtils::getStringLiteral);
     }
 
     public static Pair<DataverseName, String> parseDatasetFunctionArguments(AbstractFunctionCallExpression datasetFn)
             throws CompilationException {
-        return parseDatasetFunctionArguments(datasetFn.getArguments(), datasetFn.getSourceLocation(),
+        return parseDatasetFunctionArguments(datasetFn.getArguments(), 0, datasetFn.getSourceLocation(),
                 FunctionUtil::getStringConstant);
     }
 
-    private static <T> Pair<DataverseName, String> parseDatasetFunctionArguments(List<T> datasetFnArgs,
+    private static <T> Pair<DataverseName, String> parseDatasetFunctionArguments(List<T> datasetFnArgs, int startPos,
             SourceLocation sourceLoc, java.util.function.Function<T, String> argExtractFunction)
             throws CompilationException {
-        if (datasetFnArgs.size() != 2) {
-            throw new CompilationException(ErrorCode.COMPILATION_ERROR, sourceLoc,
-                    "Invalid number of arguments to dataset()");
-        }
-        String dataverseNameArg = argExtractFunction.apply(datasetFnArgs.get(0));
+        String dataverseNameArg = argExtractFunction.apply(datasetFnArgs.get(startPos));
         if (dataverseNameArg == null) {
             throw new CompilationException(ErrorCode.COMPILATION_ERROR, sourceLoc, "Invalid argument to dataset()");
         }
         DataverseName dataverseName = DataverseName.createFromCanonicalForm(dataverseNameArg);
 
-        String datasetName = argExtractFunction.apply(datasetFnArgs.get(1));
+        String datasetName = argExtractFunction.apply(datasetFnArgs.get(startPos + 1));
         if (datasetName == null) {
             throw new CompilationException(ErrorCode.COMPILATION_ERROR, sourceLoc, "Invalid argument to dataset()");
         }
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/rewrites/visitor/VariableCheckAndRewriteVisitor.java b/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/rewrites/visitor/VariableCheckAndRewriteVisitor.java
index 291bcd0..8e8cfc7 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/rewrites/visitor/VariableCheckAndRewriteVisitor.java
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/rewrites/visitor/VariableCheckAndRewriteVisitor.java
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 import org.apache.asterix.om.functions.BuiltinFunctions;
 import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Pair;
+import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
 import org.apache.hyracks.api.exceptions.SourceLocation;
 
@@ -155,13 +156,19 @@
             return null;
         }
         SourceLocation sourceLoc = varExpr.getSourceLocation();
-        Dataset dataset = findDataset(dataverseName, datasetName, sourceLoc);
-        if (dataset == null) {
+        Pair<Dataset, Boolean> datasetSynonymPair = findDataset(dataverseName, datasetName, sourceLoc);
+        if (datasetSynonymPair == null) {
             throw createUnresolvableError(dataverseName, datasetName, sourceLoc);
         }
-        List<Expression> argList = new ArrayList<>(2);
+        Dataset dataset = datasetSynonymPair.first;
+        boolean viaSynonym = datasetSynonymPair.second;
+        List<Expression> argList = new ArrayList<>(4);
         argList.add(new LiteralExpr(new StringLiteral(dataset.getDataverseName().getCanonicalForm())));
         argList.add(new LiteralExpr(new StringLiteral(dataset.getDatasetName())));
+        if (viaSynonym) {
+            argList.add(new LiteralExpr(new StringLiteral(dataverseName.getCanonicalForm())));
+            argList.add(new LiteralExpr(new StringLiteral(datasetName)));
+        }
         CallExpr callExpr = new CallExpr(new FunctionSignature(BuiltinFunctions.DATASET), argList);
         callExpr.setSourceLocation(sourceLoc);
         return callExpr;
@@ -221,16 +228,19 @@
                 dataverseName == null ? defaultDataverseName : dataverseName);
     }
 
-    private Dataset findDataset(DataverseName dataverseName, String datasetName, SourceLocation sourceLoc)
-            throws CompilationException {
+    private Pair<Dataset, Boolean> findDataset(DataverseName dataverseName, String datasetName,
+            SourceLocation sourceLoc) throws CompilationException {
         try {
-            Pair<DataverseName, String> dsName =
+            Boolean viaSynonym = false;
+            Triple<DataverseName, String, Boolean> dsName =
                     metadataProvider.resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(dataverseName, datasetName);
             if (dsName != null) {
                 dataverseName = dsName.first;
                 datasetName = dsName.second;
+                viaSynonym = dsName.third;
             }
-            return metadataProvider.findDataset(dataverseName, datasetName);
+            Dataset dataset = metadataProvider.findDataset(dataverseName, datasetName);
+            return dataset == null ? null : new Pair<>(dataset, viaSynonym);
         } catch (AlgebricksException e) {
             throw new CompilationException(ErrorCode.COMPILATION_ERROR, e, sourceLoc, e.getMessage());
         }
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/visitor/SqlppSynonymRewriteVisitor.java b/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/visitor/SqlppSynonymRewriteVisitor.java
index ae999fd..a0ffdf2 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/visitor/SqlppSynonymRewriteVisitor.java
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-lang-sqlpp/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/lang/sqlpp/visitor/SqlppSynonymRewriteVisitor.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 import org.apache.asterix.lang.sqlpp.visitor.base.AbstractSqlppAstVisitor;
 import org.apache.asterix.metadata.declared.MetadataProvider;
 import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Pair;
+import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import org.apache.hyracks.api.exceptions.SourceLocation;
 
 /**
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 
     @Override
     public Void visit(LoadStatement loadStmt, MetadataProvider metadataProvider) throws CompilationException {
-        Pair<DataverseName, String> dsName = resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(metadataProvider,
+        Triple<DataverseName, String, Boolean> dsName = resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(metadataProvider,
                 loadStmt.getDataverseName(), loadStmt.getDatasetName(), loadStmt.getSourceLocation());
         if (dsName != null) {
             loadStmt.setDataverseName(dsName.first);
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 
     @Override
     public Void visit(InsertStatement insertStmt, MetadataProvider metadataProvider) throws CompilationException {
-        Pair<DataverseName, String> dsName = resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(metadataProvider,
+        Triple<DataverseName, String, Boolean> dsName = resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(metadataProvider,
                 insertStmt.getDataverseName(), insertStmt.getDatasetName(), insertStmt.getSourceLocation());
         if (dsName != null) {
             insertStmt.setDataverseName(dsName.first);
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
 
     @Override
     public Void visit(DeleteStatement deleteStmt, MetadataProvider metadataProvider) throws CompilationException {
-        Pair<DataverseName, String> dsName = resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(metadataProvider,
+        Triple<DataverseName, String, Boolean> dsName = resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(metadataProvider,
                 deleteStmt.getDataverseName(), deleteStmt.getDatasetName(), deleteStmt.getSourceLocation());
         if (dsName != null) {
             deleteStmt.setDataverseName(dsName.first);
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
         return null;
     }
 
-    private Pair<DataverseName, String> resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(MetadataProvider metadataProvider,
+    private Triple<DataverseName, String, Boolean> resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(MetadataProvider metadataProvider,
             DataverseName dataverseName, String datasetName, SourceLocation sourceLoc) throws CompilationException {
         try {
             return metadataProvider.resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(dataverseName, datasetName);
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/MetadataNode.java b/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/MetadataNode.java
index 088bbc6..85ab549 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/MetadataNode.java
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/MetadataNode.java
@@ -519,12 +519,6 @@
         try {
             confirmDataverseCanBeDeleted(txnId, dataverseName);
 
-            // Drop all synonyms in this dataverse.
-            List<Synonym> dataverseSynonyms = getDataverseSynonyms(txnId, dataverseName);
-            for (Synonym synonym : dataverseSynonyms) {
-                dropSynonym(txnId, dataverseName, synonym.getSynonymName());
-            }
-
             // Drop all feeds and connections in this dataverse.
             // Feeds may depend on datatypes and adapters
             List<Feed> dataverseFeeds = getDataverseFeeds(txnId, dataverseName);
@@ -543,7 +537,7 @@
             }
 
             // Drop all functions in this dataverse.
-            // Functions may depend on datatypes and libraries
+            // Functions may depend on libraries, datasets, functions, datatypes, synonyms
             // As a side effect, acquires an S lock on the 'Function' dataset on behalf of txnId.
             List<Function> dataverseFunctions = getDataverseFunctions(txnId, dataverseName);
             for (Function function : dataverseFunctions) {
@@ -564,6 +558,12 @@
                 dropLibrary(txnId, lib.getDataverseName(), lib.getName());
             }
 
+            // Drop all synonyms in this dataverse.
+            List<Synonym> dataverseSynonyms = getDataverseSynonyms(txnId, dataverseName);
+            for (Synonym synonym : dataverseSynonyms) {
+                dropSynonym(txnId, dataverseName, synonym.getSynonymName(), true);
+            }
+
             // Drop all datasets and indexes in this dataverse.
             // Datasets depend on datatypes
             List<Dataset> dataverseDatasets = getDataverseDatasets(txnId, dataverseName);
@@ -949,37 +949,25 @@
         }
 
         // If a function from a DIFFERENT dataverse
-        // uses datasets, functions or datatypes from this dataverse
+        // uses datasets, functions, datatypes, or synonyms from this dataverse
         // throw an error
+        Function.FunctionDependencyKind[] functionDependencyKinds = Function.FunctionDependencyKind.values();
         List<Function> functions = getAllFunctions(txnId);
         for (Function function : functions) {
             if (function.getDataverseName().equals(dataverseName)) {
                 continue;
             }
-            for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> datasetDependency : function.getDependencies().get(0)) {
-                if (datasetDependency.first.equals(dataverseName)) {
-                    throw new AsterixException(
-                            org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_DATAVERSE_DEPENDENT_EXISTS,
-                            "dataset",
-                            DatasetUtil.getFullyQualifiedDisplayName(datasetDependency.first, datasetDependency.second),
-                            "function", function.getSignature());
-                }
-            }
-            for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> functionDependency : function.getDependencies().get(1)) {
-                if (functionDependency.first.equals(dataverseName)) {
-                    throw new AsterixException(
-                            org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_DATAVERSE_DEPENDENT_EXISTS,
-                            "function", new FunctionSignature(functionDependency.first, functionDependency.second,
-                                    Integer.parseInt(functionDependency.third)),
-                            "function", function.getSignature());
-                }
-            }
-            for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> type : function.getDependencies().get(2)) {
-                if (type.first.equals(dataverseName)) {
-                    throw new AsterixException(
-                            org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_DATAVERSE_DEPENDENT_EXISTS,
-                            "type", TypeUtil.getFullyQualifiedDisplayName(type.first, type.second), "function",
-                            function.getSignature());
+            List<List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>>> dependencies = function.getDependencies();
+            for (int i = 0, n = dependencies.size(); i < n; i++) {
+                for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> dependency : dependencies.get(i)) {
+                    if (dependency.first.equals(dataverseName)) {
+                        Function.FunctionDependencyKind functionDependencyKind = functionDependencyKinds[i];
+                        throw new AsterixException(
+                                org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_DATAVERSE_DEPENDENT_EXISTS,
+                                functionDependencyKind.toString().toLowerCase(),
+                                functionDependencyKind.getDependencyDisplayName(dependency), "function",
+                                function.getSignature());
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -1003,19 +991,7 @@
     }
 
     private void confirmFunctionCanBeDeleted(TxnId txnId, FunctionSignature signature) throws AlgebricksException {
-        // If any other function uses this function, throw an error
-        List<Function> functions = getAllFunctions(txnId);
-        for (Function function : functions) {
-            for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> functionalDependency : function.getDependencies().get(1)) {
-                if (functionalDependency.first.equals(signature.getDataverseName())
-                        && functionalDependency.second.equals(signature.getName())
-                        && functionalDependency.third.equals(Integer.toString(signature.getArity()))) {
-                    throw new AsterixException(
-                            org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_OBJECT_DEPENDENT_EXISTS,
-                            "function", signature, "function", function.getSignature());
-                }
-            }
-        }
+        confirmFunctionIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, signature);
 
         // if any other feed connection uses this function, throw an error
         List<FeedConnection> feedConnections = getAllFeedConnections(txnId);
@@ -1029,22 +1005,49 @@
         }
     }
 
-    private void confirmDatasetCanBeDeleted(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String datasetName)
+    private void confirmFunctionIsUnusedByFunctions(TxnId txnId, FunctionSignature signature)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        // If any function uses this type, throw an error
+        confirmObjectIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, Function.FunctionDependencyKind.FUNCTION, signature.getDataverseName(),
+                signature.getName(), Integer.toString(signature.getArity()));
+    }
+
+    private void confirmObjectIsUnusedByFunctions(TxnId txnId, Function.FunctionDependencyKind dependencyKind,
+            DataverseName dataverseName, String objectName, String objectArg) throws AlgebricksException {
+        // If any function uses this object, throw an error
+        int functionDependencyIdx = dependencyKind.ordinal();
         List<Function> functions = getAllFunctions(txnId);
         for (Function function : functions) {
-            for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> datasetDependency : function.getDependencies().get(0)) {
-                if (datasetDependency.first.equals(dataverseName) && datasetDependency.second.equals(datasetName)) {
-                    throw new AsterixException(
-                            org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_OBJECT_DEPENDENT_EXISTS,
-                            "dataset", DatasetUtil.getFullyQualifiedDisplayName(dataverseName, datasetName), "function",
-                            function.getSignature());
+            List<List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>>> functionDependencies = function.getDependencies();
+            if (functionDependencyIdx < functionDependencies.size()) {
+                List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> functionObjectDependencies =
+                        functionDependencies.get(functionDependencyIdx);
+                if (functionObjectDependencies != null) {
+                    for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> dependency : functionObjectDependencies) {
+                        if (dependency.first.equals(dataverseName) && dependency.second.equals(objectName)
+                                && (objectArg == null || objectArg.equals(dependency.third))) {
+                            throw new AsterixException(
+                                    org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_OBJECT_DEPENDENT_EXISTS,
+                                    dependencyKind.toString().toLowerCase(),
+                                    dependencyKind.getDependencyDisplayName(dependency), "function",
+                                    function.getSignature());
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }
     }
 
+    private void confirmDatasetCanBeDeleted(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String datasetName)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        confirmDatasetIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, dataverseName, datasetName);
+    }
+
+    private void confirmDatasetIsUnusedByFunctions(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String datasetName)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        confirmObjectIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, Function.FunctionDependencyKind.DATASET, dataverseName, datasetName,
+                null);
+    }
+
     private void confirmLibraryCanBeDeleted(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String libraryName)
             throws AlgebricksException {
         confirmLibraryIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, dataverseName, libraryName);
@@ -1128,18 +1131,8 @@
 
     private void confirmDatatypeIsUnusedByFunctions(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String dataTypeName)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        // If any function uses this type, throw an error
-        List<Function> functions = getAllFunctions(txnId);
-        for (Function function : functions) {
-            for (Triple<DataverseName, String, String> datasetDependency : function.getDependencies().get(2)) {
-                if (datasetDependency.first.equals(dataverseName) && datasetDependency.second.equals(dataTypeName)) {
-                    throw new AsterixException(
-                            org.apache.asterix.common.exceptions.ErrorCode.CANNOT_DROP_OBJECT_DEPENDENT_EXISTS, "type",
-                            TypeUtil.getFullyQualifiedDisplayName(dataverseName, dataTypeName), "function",
-                            function.getSignature());
-                }
-            }
-        }
+        confirmObjectIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, Function.FunctionDependencyKind.TYPE, dataverseName, dataTypeName,
+                null);
     }
 
     private List<String> getNestedComplexDatatypeNamesForThisDatatype(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName,
@@ -2034,6 +2027,15 @@
 
     @Override
     public void dropSynonym(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String synonymName) throws AlgebricksException {
+        dropSynonym(txnId, dataverseName, synonymName, false);
+    }
+
+    private void dropSynonym(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String synonymName, boolean force)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        if (!force) {
+            confirmSynonymCanBeDeleted(txnId, dataverseName, synonymName);
+        }
+
         try {
             // Delete entry from the 'Synonym' dataset.
             ITupleReference searchKey = createTuple(dataverseName, synonymName);
@@ -2052,6 +2054,17 @@
         }
     }
 
+    private void confirmSynonymCanBeDeleted(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String synonymName)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        confirmSynonymIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, dataverseName, synonymName);
+    }
+
+    private void confirmSynonymIsUnusedByFunctions(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String synonymName)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        confirmObjectIsUnusedByFunctions(txnId, Function.FunctionDependencyKind.SYNONYM, dataverseName, synonymName,
+                null);
+    }
+
     @Override
     public Synonym getSynonym(TxnId txnId, DataverseName dataverseName, String synonymName) throws AlgebricksException {
         try {
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/declared/MetadataProvider.java b/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/declared/MetadataProvider.java
index 5f7fdea..68def8d 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/declared/MetadataProvider.java
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/declared/MetadataProvider.java
@@ -423,21 +423,22 @@
         return MetadataManagerUtil.getDatasetIndexes(mdTxnCtx, dataverseName, datasetName);
     }
 
-    public Pair<DataverseName, String> resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(DataverseName dataverseName, String datasetName)
-            throws AlgebricksException {
+    public Triple<DataverseName, String, Boolean> resolveDatasetNameUsingSynonyms(DataverseName dataverseName,
+            String datasetName) throws AlgebricksException {
         DataverseName dvName = getActiveDataverseName(dataverseName);
         if (dvName == null) {
             return null;
         }
+        Synonym synonym = null;
         while (MetadataManagerUtil.findDataset(mdTxnCtx, dvName, datasetName) == null) {
-            Synonym synonym = findSynonym(dvName, datasetName);
+            synonym = findSynonym(dvName, datasetName);
             if (synonym == null) {
                 return null;
             }
             dvName = synonym.getObjectDataverseName();
             datasetName = synonym.getObjectName();
         }
-        return new Pair<>(dvName, datasetName);
+        return new Triple<>(dvName, datasetName, synonym != null);
     }
 
     public Synonym findSynonym(DataverseName dataverseName, String synonymName) throws AlgebricksException {
diff --git a/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/entities/Function.java b/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/entities/Function.java
index 968cf14..3cd4346 100644
--- a/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/entities/Function.java
+++ b/asterixdb/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/org/apache/asterix/metadata/entities/Function.java
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
  */
 package org.apache.asterix.metadata.entities;
 
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -27,6 +28,9 @@
 import org.apache.asterix.common.metadata.DataverseName;
 import org.apache.asterix.metadata.MetadataCache;
 import org.apache.asterix.metadata.api.IMetadataEntity;
+import org.apache.asterix.metadata.utils.DatasetUtil;
+import org.apache.asterix.metadata.utils.MetadataUtil;
+import org.apache.asterix.metadata.utils.TypeUtil;
 import org.apache.asterix.om.types.TypeSignature;
 import org.apache.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 
@@ -159,4 +163,39 @@
     public Function dropFromCache(MetadataCache cache) {
         return cache.dropFunction(this);
     }
+
+    public static List<List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>>> createDependencies(
+            List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> datasetDependencies,
+            List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> functionDependencies,
+            List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> typeDependencies,
+            List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>> synonymDependencies) {
+        List<List<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>>> depList = new ArrayList<>(4);
+        depList.add(datasetDependencies);
+        depList.add(functionDependencies);
+        depList.add(typeDependencies);
+        if (!synonymDependencies.isEmpty()) {
+            depList.add(synonymDependencies);
+        }
+        return depList;
+    }
+
+    public enum FunctionDependencyKind {
+        DATASET(dependency -> DatasetUtil.getFullyQualifiedDisplayName(dependency.first, dependency.second)),
+        FUNCTION(
+                dependency -> new FunctionSignature(dependency.first, dependency.second,
+                        Integer.parseInt(dependency.third)).toString()),
+        TYPE(dependency -> TypeUtil.getFullyQualifiedDisplayName(dependency.first, dependency.second)),
+        SYNONYM(dependency -> MetadataUtil.getFullyQualifiedDisplayName(dependency.first, dependency.second));
+
+        private final java.util.function.Function<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>, String> dependencyDisplayNameAccessor;
+
+        FunctionDependencyKind(
+                java.util.function.Function<Triple<DataverseName, String, String>, String> dependencyDisplayNameAccessor) {
+            this.dependencyDisplayNameAccessor = dependencyDisplayNameAccessor;
+        }
+
+        public String getDependencyDisplayName(Triple<DataverseName, String, String> dependency) {
+            return dependencyDisplayNameAccessor.apply(dependency);
+        }
+    }
 }