Thesaurus Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.2.4.E

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

A thesaurus is a tool, that is found mostly in paperback, that lists synonyms of words you are using in your own works. In many cases it will also list a variety of antonyms. They can be helpful reference tools when you are writing or creating speeches. They can be found arranged in dictionary style or concept driven arrangements. The dictionary style is the most common form you will find. These worksheets help students learn how to proactively use a thesaurus when developing their own works.

Thesaurus Worksheets:

Use It – You can use a thesaurus when you want to replace a general or overused word with a more specific word. In each sentence below, use a thesaurus to find a new word to replace the underlined word. Write your new word on the line.

Using the Thesaurus – For each bold word, circle the word to the right that is NOT its synonym.

Find a Synonym – An synonym is a word that has the same or similar meaning as another word. You can find synonyms for words in a reference book called a Thesaurus.

Thesaurus Review – A thesaurus is different from a dictionary in that ________.

Practice – Review some of your previous written work. Find three words that you would like to replace with words that have more precise meanings. Use a thesaurus to find better words.

Underlines – Use a thesaurus to find a new word for each underlined word. Replace each underlined word with a synonym. Write your word on the line.

Precision – Use a thesaurus to find a more precise word for the underlined word. Write down the new word and explain why you chose it.

Improve It – Use a thesaurus to find words that are more precise than the underlined words. Then rewrite each sentence Explain why you chose each word.

Starter Words – Write your word on the line.

Changing the Intensity of Words – For each word below, use a thesaurus to find a synonym that is slightly more intense, and a synonym that is slightly less intense. Write your words on the lines provided.

Thesaurus Practice – Look up each bold word in the thesaurus. Circle the word in each row that is NOT a synonym for the bold word.

Step It Up! – Replace each underlined word with a synonym. Write your word on the line.

Finding Synonyms – A thesaurus is a reference book full of words and their synonyms. You can use a thesaurus when you want to replace a general or overused word with a more specific word.

Bolder – For each bold word, circle the word to the right that is NOT its synonym.

Thesaurus Quiz – Use a thesaurus to find two synonyms for each of the words below. Make one of them a slightly more positive word, and one a slightly more negative word.

How to Use a Thesaurus


A thesaurus is a reference book that contains the meanings and synonyms of all the words of the language. Here is a complete guide on how to use a thesaurus.


Choose A Word


The very first step to using a thesaurus is to choose a word. You should have a word in your mind that you want the meaning of. This word could be anything as the thesaurus contains the meanings of all the words. However, it is important that you choose the word of the same language. For example, an English thesaurus will only contain words from the English language.


Search


Once you have the word that you want the meaning of, it is time to search for the meaning. You can open the thesaurus. The thesaurus is written in alphabetical order. You can go the section of that alphabet that you are looking for. When you are on that section, you will see different words of starting from that same alphabet. You can search for the word that you want the meaning of. It is just like using a regular dictionary.


Look At The Words


When you have found the word that you were looking for, you will notice that there are many other words written alongside that word. These words are either the synonyms or the antonyms of that word. Synonyms are the words that have a similar meaning whereas antonyms are the words that have opposite meanings. You can decide what you want, either the synonym for that word or the antonym.


Choose Another Word


When you are done finding the meaning of that word, you can look for other words as well. Get some other words that you find difficult and search for their meanings in the thesaurus.