Synonyms
For the next two weeks, when teachers mark your work, they will
be focusing on how you use synonyms to avoid repetition in
your writing and precise examination answers.
Synonyms are words with the same or similar meanings.
Synonyms
Here are some examples of English synonyms:
• verb
▫ "buy" and "purchase"
• adjective
▫ "big" and "large"
• adverb
▫ "quickly" and "speedily"
Commonly overused words
• When you write, especially
in an exam, try to use the
most precise word for your
meaning and not the word
that comes to mind first.
• When not in an exam
consult a thesaurus to find
alternatives for some
commonly overused words.
Thesaurus Rex had the
largest vocabulary of all the
dinosaurs.
Finding synonyms on a computer
-Right-click on the word
you want to change,
then hover the mouse
over ‘Synonyms’ to
provide several
alternatives.
-If you still want to keep
searching for other
synonyms, click on
‘Thesaurus...’ to
continue your search.
Synonym Starter 1
In pairs, think of your own synonyms for the italicised words:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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14.
15.
Before you attempt to install it, you should read the directions.
I was anxious about my test results.
It is difficult to predict the weather.
When the students heard they would have a test, they started to grumble.
He began to ponder the reason that he failed.
After the earthquake, the villagers desperately needed aid.
Don’t worry. She’ll finish the job. She is very diligent.
I am weary. I need to rest.
I couldn’t persuade her to stay in school.
I can’t recall what his name is.
The captain began the assault in the middle of the night.
They started to construct the house yesterday.
You think it’s too expensive? I concur. I won't buy it at that price.
If water gets in the building, it will ruin the paintings.
I will not permit you to marry my daughter.
Synonym Starter 2
Match up the synonyms!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
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15.
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20.
Beneficial
Weary
Diligent
Persuade
Recall
Predict
Anxious
Grumble
Examine
Ponder
Aid
Oppose
Recommend
Profit
Despise
Annoy
Praise
Irate
Satisfied
Understand
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
Think
Content
Worried
Hate
Helpful
Compliment
Suggest
Tired
Furious
Forecast
Inspect
Remember
Convince
Help
Be against
Complain
Hard-working
Irritate
Gain
Comprehend
Synonym Starter 3
Synonyms for commonly overused words
Bad
Big
Exciting
Funny
Get
Good
Interesting
Nice
Very
Synonym Starter 3
How many did you get?
Bad
defective, inadequate, poor,
unsatisfactory, disagreeable,
offensive, repulsive, corrupt,
wicked, naughty, harmful,
injurious, unfavourable
Funny
comical, ludicrous,
amusing, droll,
entertaining,
bizarre, unusual,
uncommon
Big
enormous, extensive,
huge, immense, massive
Exciting
thrilling, stirring,
rousing, dramatic
Get
obtain, receive, acquire,
procure, achieve
Good
satisfactory, serviceable,
functional, competent,
virtuous, striking
Interesting
Nice
absorbing, appealing,
pleasant, satisfying,
entertaining, fascinating, gracious, charming
thought-provoking
Very
unusually, extremely,
deeply, exceedingly,
profoundly
Synonym Starter 4
Use the words in the box below to find synonyms for the italicised words:
•
The valiant knight grabbed his sword and charged the fire-breathing dragon.
Valiant is another word for brave.
1. The wicked witch caused trouble for the good people in the town.
Wicked is another word for evil.
_____________________________________________________
2. The grouchy old man yelled at the kids and told them not to play near his house.
Grouchy is another word for grumpy.
_____________________________________________________
3. The timid boy hid behind his mother whenever people came near him.
Timid is another word for shy.
_____________________________________________________
4. The obnoxious boy started to scream when his mother wouldn't buy him any sweets.
Obnoxious is another word for rude.
_____________________________________________________
5. She was so stingy that she never spent money on anything.
Stingy is another word for cheap.
_____________________________________________________
6. At first, we thought he was insane because he was talking to a frog.
Insane is another word for crazy.
_____________________________________________________
evil
brave
cheap
crazy
shy
grumpy
rude