Name_____________________ Class____________ Date_____________

THESAURUS ACTIVITIES:

IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL:

-- Pick the right synonym to complete a sentence

-- Match words to their thesaurus entries

-- Practice your alphabetizing skills

Synonyms are different words that have the same meaning. For example, big and large are synonyms. Varying the words you use will make your writing more lively.

Directions: Fill in the blank with a synonym for the missing word. Use one of the following words: 1. well, 2. tranquil, 3. weary, 4. skinny, 5. gigantic, 6. goal, 7. cranky, 8. scream.

1. Joe’s doctor said that exercise would make him feel healthy.

Joe’s doctor said that exercise would make him feel______________

2. Jim is very thin. He can still fit into the cloths he wore in high school.

Jim is very ____________. He can still fit into the clothes he wore in high school.

3. Iliana is feeling a little sick today. She is acting like an irritable child.

Iliana is feeling a little sick today. She is acting like a _________ child.

4. The water was calm, so no one on the boat became seasick.

The water was ____________, so no one on the boat became seasick.

5. Because I had waited three weeks to do the laundry, the pile was huge and spilled onto the floor.

Because I had waited three weeks to do the laundry, the pile was ___________and spilled onto the floor.

6. Sometimes when Jessica wanted to be noticed, she would shout and jump up in the air. But her brothers still ignored her.

Sometimes when Jessica wanted to be noticed, she would ______________and jump up in the air. But her brothers still ignored her.

7. After standing on her feet all day, Monica is tired and she hopes she will get a seat on the bus.

After standing on her feet all day, Monica is ______ and she hopes she will get a seat on the bus.

8. Once he finishes high school, Troy plans to go to college and then to medical school. His aspiration is to be a doctor.

Once he finishes high school, Troy plans to go to college and then to medical school. His _______ is to be a doctor.

Match: deplore, stop, clasp, hug, understand

Know (verb): to comprehend, to grasp, to appreciate

Grieve (verb): to mourn, to lament, to suffer.

Embrace (verb): to enfold, to press, to hold.

Prevent (verb): to avert, to block, to deter.

Match: rude, weak, interested, loving, impolite, offensive

Delicate (adj): fragile, sensitive, dainty

Curious (adj): questioning, inquiring

Affectionate (adj): fond, tender

Obnoxious (adj): unpleasant, repulsive, objectionable

Match: untruthful, lying, weight, guiltless, unsure, stress

Dishonest (adj): shifty, deceitful, devious

Doubtful (adj): dubious, questionable, uncertain

Innocent (adj): pure, uncorrupted, blameless

Pressure (noun): strain, tension, burden

In a thesaurus, words are arranged alphabetically, just like in a dictionary. When words begin with the same letter, you have to look at the second letter to figure out where they go. And when the second letter is the same, it’s time to look at the third letter.

Group 1:

Dream

Teach

Excited

Work

Curious

Jump

Able

Embarrassed

Young

Group 2:

Farmer

Social

Eat

Terrible

Decided

Mature

Doughnut

Never

Group 3:

Southern

Spirit

Steak

Save

Selfish

Space

Shelf

Soda