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.
Synonyms are words with the same or
similar meanings
Synonyms
• Synonyms can be any part of speech
(such as nouns, verbs, adjectives,
adverbs or prepositions), as long as
both words are the same part of
speech.
Synonyms
Here are some examples of English synonyms:
• verb
▫ "buy" and "purchase"
• adjective
▫ "big" and "large"
• adverb
▫ "quickly" and "speedily"
• preposition
▫ "on" and "upon"
Synonyms
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
Commonly overused words
• When you write, try to use the most precise word
for your meaning, not the word that comes to
mind first.
• Consult a thesaurus to find alternatives for
some commonly overused words.
• Keep in mind that the choices offered in a
thesaurus do not all mean exactly the same
thing. Review all the options, and choose the one
that best expresses your meaning.
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.
Synonyms for commonly overused words
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 trees
dull
tiresome
dreary
lacklustre
tedious
uninteresting
mind-numbing
monotonous
BORING
Synonym trees
Divide yourselves into 6 groups. Each group will be responsible for each of
the synonym trees below. In your group, find as many synonyms as you can
for your tree by next week. Be prepared to present your trees to the class!
ALSO
SEE
HAPPY
SAY
DO
THING
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
• Tutors, the following activities can be used at
any point over the next 2 weeks during morning
registration. You don’t need to use them on the
same day that you introduce synonyms to your
form groups for the very first time.
• You can get your tutees to complete these
activities in order to either demonstrate or
consolidate their knowledge of synonyms, or
simply to extend their knowledge further.
Synonyms (extension)
In pairs, think of your own synonyms for the italicised words:
1.
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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.
Match up the synonyms!
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Beneficial
Weary
Diligent
Persuade
Recall
Predict
Anxious
Grumble
Examine
Ponder
Aid
Oppose
Recommend
Profit
Despise
Annoy
Praise
Irate
Satisfied
Understand
A.
B.
C.
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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
ANSWERS
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E
H
Q
M
L
J
C
P
K
A
N
O
G
S
D
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F
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B
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