Use Synonyms to Make Your
Writing Vivid
(Bright, Glowing, Vibrant, Colorful, Flamboyant)
Student Handout
Activity 1: Find multiple synonyms
Complete each sentence below with a word and three of its synonyms. When you
need help, use the Microsoft Student 2008 Thesaurus. For help using the Microsoft
Student Thesaurus, read the document How to Find a Word in the Microsoft
Student Thesaurus that your teacher has saved to your classroom computer.
Example: The noise in the school cafeteria is loud (deafening, earsplitting, piercing).
A Word of Caution When Using a Thesaurus:
Many (numerous, multiple) English words have more than one meaning, and this can get you into
trouble when you use synonyms. For example, carry means to transmit, but it also means to have in
stock.
1.
2.
I carry my books in a backpack.
3. bookstore carries backpacks of all kinds.
The
4.
If5.you randomly pick a synonym without paying attention to the usage of the word that you want to
6.
replace,
you could make a humorous error.
7.
I8.stock my books in a backpack. (Huh? Sounds like it came straight out of a thesaurus.)
The
9. bookstore lugs backpacks of all kinds. (It does?)
I lug my books in a backpack, and, the bookstore stocks backpacks of all kinds. (Sounds like nice writing.)
1. A presidential candidate must be _____________________________.
2. Sharee’s room is ______________________________________
3. Ben ______________________________________________through the house.
4. John _______________________________________________ the table.
5. Bobby walked toward the river________________________________________.
Activity 2: Find a good synonym
In the following three sentences, replace the words highlighted in bold with a
synonym.
Baseball legend Jackie Robinson became the first African-American person to play on a U.S. major
league baseball team in the 20th century.
1. As the only ___________ African-American player in an all-white league, Robinson had it
tough ____________.
2. Branch Rickey, the Major League Baseball executive who signed Robinson, warned Robinson
that he would face _________ abuse ____________ from fans and players and that he
would have to stay quiet ______________.
3. Robinson showed _____________all Americans that it’s how you play on the field, not the
color of your skin, that matters __________________________.
Activity 3: Find the right synonym
What’s my synonym? In the sentences below, there is one word that needs to be
replaced
with
a synonym
so thathero
theinsentence
You
can read an
article
about this American
Encarta. makes more sense. Underline the
word in the sentence that you want to replace with a synonym, and write the
synonym on the line provided.
1. This room is closed; I can’t confess you. ____________________
2. I like just a sprint of salt on my salad. ______________________
3. She was loyal to prison for three years. _____________________
4. I want to pressure how important it is that you wear your seat belt.
5. The lower departments of the tree were trimmed since it was getting too heavy.
__________________
6. The policeman handed her a quotation for speeding. _____________________
Activity 4: Use an incorrect synonym
Now write four sentences of your own. In each sentence, replace a word with
a synonym that is incorrect, that is, a synonym that has different usage or
meaning of the word. In your sentence, underline the word that you are
replacing with the incorrect synonym and write the incorrect synonym at the
end of the sentence.
Example: You have to pay a toll to cross that bridge. (penalty)
Hint: Find words in the thesaurus that have more than one usage. Use a
synonym incorrectly with the wrong usage. Creativity counts!
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________