Name
Using Synonyms and Antonyms
to Create Analogies
The writer of “Scaredy Cats” uses synonyms (words that have the same, or almost
the same, meanings, like happy and joyful) and antonyms (words that have the
opposite meanings, such as happy and sad). Synonyms and antonyms are often used
in word analogies. A word analogy shows two pairs of words that are related to
each other in the same way. If the first pair of words are synonyms, for example,
the second pair must be synonyms too. If the first pair of words are antonyms, the
second pair must be antonyms. Analogies are written like this:
Happy is to joyful as loud is to noisy. (Both pairs are synonyms.)
Happy is to sad as loud is to quiet. (Both pairs are antonyms.)
Read the words and their definitions in the word box.
hit with great force
having or showing courage; brave
lacking courage
someone or something that breaks in without being asked
people or animals that trail behind; stragglers
someone or something that is alone
one of a pair of persons or animals that do something together
a person or animal that invades the property of another
Choose the boldface word from the word box that correctly completes each analogy.
1. Smooth is to rough as
is to partner.
are to slowpokes as vision is to sight.
2.
3. Cap is to hat as intruder is to
4. Pounded is to
.
as rich is to wealthy.
5. Wet is to dry as cowardly is to
.
Use a dictionary or a thesaurus to find three synonyms or three antonyms
for three boldface words from the word box. Then write an analogy using each
of the three words.
Blackline Master
Grade 5
Unit 11: Writing a Research Report
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
clobbered
courageous
cowardly
intruder
laggards
loner
partner
trespasser