Synonym Antonym E-lesson
Kathleen M. Samulski
Wayne State University
E-lesson Goals
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Define synonyms.
Name synonyms for corresponding words.
Define antonyms.
Name antonyms for corresponding words.
Distinguish the difference between synonyms
and antonyms.
SYNONYMS
Synonyms
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Synonyms are words that mean the same or
almost the same.
Using synonyms can make your writing more
interesting.
Synonym and same both start with “s.”
Choosing a variety of words that have similar
meanings prevents repetition.
Read the following paragraph. Look
for the synonyms.
Today school was difficult. We began with a
hard spelling test. The teacher said each word in a
loud voice because the hallways were very noisy.
During lunch I ate quickly, and I walked speedily
back to class, so I could prepare for our science test.
I knew the exam would be difficult. The test was
challenging, but I did well because I studied. I am
glad I did well, but I am happy to be on my way
home from school. It was a tough day!
Notice the synonyms in red. Did you
find them all?
Today school was difficult. We began with a
hard spelling test. The teacher said each word in a
loud voice because the hallways were very noisy.
During lunch I ate quickly, and I walked speedily
back to class, so I could prepare for our science test.
I knew the exam would be difficult. The test was
challenging, but I did well because I studied. I am
glad I did well, but I am happy to be on my way
home from school. It was a tough day!
Synonyms
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little
tiny
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difficult
hard
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funny
silly
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quiet
silent
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kind
nice
mad
angry
chuckle
laugh
smart
intelligent
More Synonyms
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begin
start
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end
finish
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big
huge
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sleepy
tired
dull
boring
shiny
bright
Practice
On a separate sheet of paper name a synonym that replaces the
underlined word
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
My mom is a kind person.
Mom was happy to help my uncle.
My uncle has a tiny dog.
The dog chases huge cars.
They built a high fence.
Test your synonym knowledge
Click on the synonym for each word.
1.
happy
glad
silly
angry
2.
afraid
tall
fearful
run
3.
huge
tiny
high
enormous
4.
love
dislike
adore
present
5.
rough
smooth
coarse
rock
6.
excited
energized
flat
party
ANTONYMS
Antonyms
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Antonyms are words with opposite
meanings.
Antonyms do NOT mean the same thing.
Antonyms
Read the following sets of antonyms.
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young
old
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tall
short
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old
new
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quiet
noisy
hot
cold
wet
dry
More Antonyms
Read the following groups of antonyms.
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hard
soft
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good
bad
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wild
tame
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few
many
dirty
clean
best
worst
Read the following paragraph. Can
you find the antonyms?
John likes to look out his window and
observe. If he is feeling sad, this can help
him feel happy. Sometimes John looks
outside when it is early. Other times, he
watches when it is late in the afternoon.
Either way, he enjoys seeing cars drive up
and down the street. It is interesting to see
the neighbors come in and out of their
houses.
Now the antonyms are marked in red. See how
they have very different, or opposite meanings.
John likes to look out his window and
observe. If he is feeling sad, this can help
him feel happy. Sometimes John looks
outside when it is early. Other times, he
watches when it is late in the afternoon.
Either way, he enjoys seeing cars drive up
and down the street. It is interesting to see
the neighbors come in and out of their
houses.
Practice
On a separate piece of paper, name an antonym to replace
each underlined word.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mary says it is easy to spell new words.
Nancy says that spelling is her worst
subject.
Nancy learns spelling words very slowly.
They have many new words to learn each
week.
They have a nice teacher.
Now you can test your antonym knowledge.
Click on the antonym for each word.
road
smooth
soft
2. high
tall
low
mountain
3. wet
icy
bath
dry
4. messy
tidy
sloppy
fancy
5. near
far
close
voyage
simple
difficult
funny
1.
6.
hard
easy
Remember…
Synonyms are
words with the
same or almost
the same
meaning.
Antonyms are
words that have
opposite
meanings.
→Go to the final quiz…
Test your knowledge!
For each group of words click the box beside it to name the group as
synonyms or antonyms.
1. happy
sad
synonyms
antonyms
5. angry
mad
synonyms
antonyms
2. big
large
synonyms
antonyms
6. hard
difficult
synonyms
antonyms
3. funny
silly
synonyms
antonyms
7. hope
despair
synonyms
antonyms
4. far
distant
synonyms
antonyms
8. hungry
full
synonyms
antonyms
Click here to go the
next problem!
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Correct! Way to go!
Remember that antonyms are words
that have opposite meanings.
Click here to try again.
Excellent! You sure know your
antonyms!
Click here for a final test
of your synonym and
antonym knowledge!
© 2007, Microsoft Corporation
Remember that a synonym means the
same or almost the same as a word.
Click here to try again!
Great job! You should have found
all of the correct synonyms!
© 2007, Microsoft Corporation
Click here to learn about antonyms.
You are correct! Good job!
© 2007, Microsoft Corporation
Click here to go on to
the next question.
Yes! That is the correct answer!
Click here to continue.
© 2007, Microsoft Corporation
Incorrect. Remember synonyms mean
the same and antonyms mean the
opposite.
Click here to try again.
Congratulations!
You have finished your e-lesson on synonyms and
antonyms.
© 2007, Microsoft Corporation
Slide designs and animation © 2007, Microsoft Corporation