Guide To Synonyms

Have you ever heard two words that seem to mean the same thing? You're not imagining it many words do have the same or similar meaning as another word. These sets of words are called -Y΄synonyms'. For example, a synonym for ΄fast' is ΄swift'; they both mean, ΄to move quickly or rapidly'.

It may seem silly to have several words where just one would work, but this allows for more variation in the English language. Using synonyms, writers and orators (people who give speeches) can make what they have to say more interesting. After all, why say ΄big' when there's a fun word like -Y΄gargantuan' that could be used? Think of synonyms like salt and pepper at a dinner table. If they're overused, it ruins the meal. However, when used sparingly or lightly, they can keep the meal interesting.

As fun as they are, synonyms can be difficult to learn to use. The English language has a lot of words that sound the same already, like -Y΄pupil', which can mean the black part of an eye, or a student. The trick is to recognize which definition a writer meant by paying attention to context clues within a sentence. A good way to learn how to recognize these words is through practice, and there are many online games and practice sheets which can be used to hone wordplay skills. It may seem tricky at first, but don't give up! Synonyms are great fun to use, and can make everything from writing essays to reading books more enjoyable.

Online Games

Synonym Toast An Evil Sandwich Making Guy plans to destroy the world by burying it under bread! Help Captain Huggy eat up all the bread by matching words that are similar to each other in this fun game from Scholastic.
Synonym Challenge In a race against the clock, pair a word with its matching synonym in this quick game from Sadlier-Oxford. There are many words to choose from, and time is short!
Synonym Sam's Lab From the popular show PBS show Between the Lions, help a girl and her dog conduct a series of experiments to see which words match the actions that the dog performs. There are two synonyms per word, which makes this game a thorough review.
Choose the Synonym Which one is it? Choose the word which matches the one given in meaning. A series of eight questions from Learning Games for Kids tests the student's skills at synonym-matching with more advanced words.
Ball Hogs For more synonym practice, this fun online game from the Family Education Network has animated characters compete in a tennis tournament. To win, grab the ball when the word matches the prompt.
Walk the Plank Avast, ye mateys! In an educational twist on the traditional Hangman game from First School Years, for every correct synonym matched, a dour commentator takes a few more steps towards the hungry sharks below.
Squanky the Tooth Taker Help Squanky the Tooth Taker Fairy collect teeth by matching synonyms and give them to the forest animals who need them. Bright, stylish art helps make this game from Earobics a sure hit with students.
Synonym Puzzle Match up puzzle pieces with their corresponding synonyms in this creative game by do2learn.com. The shapes of the puzzle pieces can help students visually associate the two words together to aid their understanding of how synonyms work.
Match the Cards Instead of seeking identical images in turned-over cards, students must instead look for matching synonyms. Click on the cards that match to clear the board and win the game!
Word Frog For more advanced students, this game from Academic Skill Builders will test not only the student's knowledge of synonyms, but of antonyms and homonyms as well. Play by feeding the fly with the right word to the hungry frog.
Starship Synonyms Daisy's unicorn is stuck, and Daisy can only reach him by selecting balloons with the right synonyms. Simple graphics and an easy-to-follow set of instructions make this a valuable resource from the BBC.

Teacher Tools/Lesson Plans

Using Word Webs Developed by ReadWriteThink.org, this lesson plan for grades 4-8 utilizes conversation cards to get children talking and thinking. The lesson plan covers a week of material and practice.
Synonym Scramble This activity from EducationWorld walks students through synonyms and antonyms alike with a color-coded card game. Variations on the game are included to keep students engaged, and to offer multiple venues for teachers.
What are Synonyms? Through a slideshow and an online game, this lesson plan is designed to get students excited about using synonyms. The second half of the lesson includes assignment and assessment ideas.
Rest in peace, Dead Words! Break students out of the habit of using ΄familiar' words in their writing by getting them acquainted with synonyms and increasing their vocabulary. This clever plan from Learn NC offers a two-day teaching strategy with details as to lesson prep and required materials.
Introduction to Synonyms The Pennsylvania Department of Education offers a lesson plan for the introduction of synonyms to a class. Recommended reading and resources are listed for a multimedia teaching option.
Synonyms and Antonyms This lesson plan from Lessonopoly teaches students about synonyms and antonyms at the same time, so as to clarify the difference between the two at an early stage. Independent Practice ideas and an objective-based assessment plan are offered as supplements to the lesson.
Don't Use Said! This online, interactive example game shows students how their writing can benefit from the use of descriptive synonyms. Toggle buttons at the bottom of the screen also highlight spoken words and add punctuation.
Using Synonyms This lesson plan contains an online whiteboard, downloadable lesson pack, and instructions for teaching children to strive for new, descriptive vocabulary in their writing. Teacher's Notes are available at the end of the lesson description.
Synonyms and Antonyms Designed for 3^rd grade study, this lesson plan builds on a prior introduction to synonyms to strengthen student skills. A rubric and constructed response are available for download to aid in the lesson.
Synonyms (PDF) This short lesson plan (designed to take 30 minutes) walks students through the usage of synonyms with a fun envelope game. The lesson plan also includes suggestions and adaptations for personal tweaking.

Printables/Worksheets

Cloud Bubbles (PDF) Let students create their own assignment with this work sheet from Teaching Ideas. A central space is provided for children to write in a word, and surrounding bubbles encourage them to think of multiple synonyms for the word they've provided.
Synonym Hearts (PDF) This simple worksheet from TLS Books asks students to draw a line from one heart to its matching synonym. An answer key is provided to check work.
Synonyms and Antonyms (PDF) TeacherVision has a great printable where students can cut out miniature flashcards, mix them up, and proceed to match the synonyms to each other. An antonym page is also provided for review.
Word Relationships (PDF) Designed for more advanced students, this worksheet takes a more dynamic question format to encourage students to think. The review consists of ten questions.
Write the Word (PDF) This worksheet has a word bank, from which students pair up words with the offered questions on the sheet. Provided by KidsLearningStation, this is a fun yet simple review.
Printable Flash Cards (PDF) Word Dynamo offers a set of fifteen printable flash cards for students to review synonyms.
Identify the Synonym (PDF) Complete with an attached answer key, this printout worksheet from k12Reader invites students to select the ideal synonym from a selection of four choices.
In the Garden (PDF) This printable story asks children to select the synonym of a word from a word bank at the bottom of the sheet. The worksheet is designed for grades 2-3, and allows students to see how synonyms can be beneficial when reading.
Synonyms Worksheet (PDF) This worksheet was written for the upper grade levels 4-5 and asks students to use context clues to determine the synonym hidden within a preceding sentence.
Synonyms A2 (PDF) This extensive review from Greenwich CSD has a full four pages of synonym practice. Multiple methods of review are present, including a word bank match and a section of rewriting sentences.

Quizzes/Tests

Synonym Quiz Students can catch these synonyms in an online, quick quiz. Context clues are provided to assist comprehension when necessary.
Synonyms There are ten questions on this online test. Select the right word from a drop-down menu to practice matching synonyms.
Synonym Exercises Pearson Longman offers a set of thirty exercises (ten per skill level, ranging from beginner to advanced). Students can select whichever level they feel most comfortable with to practice their new skill.
Synonyms and Antonyms Quiz (PDF) This quiz combines both synonyms and antonyms for a thorough review of both types of words. Students are asked to draw lines between corresponding words in two of three columns.
Synonym Test (PDF) From Busy Teachers Café, this test utilizes a word bank and underlined sentences to test students on their knowledge of synonyms.
35 Synonyms Tests (PDF) This excellent resource compiles a database of thirty-five individual tests for instructors, along with answer keys to each. The tests are sorted by elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Antonyms and Synonyms An online quiz offers students a chance to recognize antonyms and synonyms in reverse. Instead of having the words defined as one or the other, students are asked instead to read a pair of words and decide for themselves whether the words are synonyms or not.
Antonym/Synonym Quiz: Sensory Words This quiz is geared towards older pupils, and consists of twenty words that must be labeled as an antonym, synonym, or neither of the two.
Homonyms, Synonyms, and Antonyms Quiz This animated quiz from BrainPOP requires students to go through a series of flashcards to select the correct category for each card. The quiz offers three different options for completion, based on the purpose of the quiz and the time available to the student.
Synonyms, Antonyms & More AOL Kids presents a comprehensive quiz on synonyms, antonyms, homophone, homonyms, and onomatopoeia. This makes a great end-of-curriculum resource or a nice section review for students.