Grammar and Language Workbook

Unit 13, Vocabulary and Spelling 275

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Vocabulary and

Spelling

Lesson 89

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonymsare words that have similar meanings. Knowing synonyms can help

you understand new words. Some dictionaries list synonyms with the definition

of a word. A thesaurus is a special dictionary that lists all synonyms. Because

each synonym has a slightly different meaning, choosing the right one can help

you say exactly what you mean.

The cat sprang at the ball of yarn. (Substituting a synonym such as jumped or

leaped could help in understanding the unfamiliar wordsprang.)

The man walked to the store. (Ambledand trudged are synonyms for walked.

Using one of these synonyms would give a slightly different meaning to the

sentence.)

Antonymsare words that have opposite or nearly opposite meanings. Knowing

antonyms can also help you understand unfamiliar words. Common ones are hot-

cold, large-small, and love-hate. Many antonyms can be formed by adding a

prefix meaning not.Adding un- to bending makes unbending, the antonym to

bending.

Exercise 1 Circle the best synonym for each italicized word. Use a dictionary if

necessary.

Maria enjoyed the placid atmosphere of the library.

plastic quiet studious stressed

1. The band has an immense following.
   large intense crude silly


2. Francisco pleaded with his mother for a new skateboard.
   pulled argued asked begged


3. If you want to acquire fame, do something better than anyone else.
   buy get know allow


4. Most birds go to roost at dusk.
   bedtime night twilight afternoon


5. Alan took good care of his molars.
   clippers binoculars moles teeth


6. Rabbits shed their coats four times a year.
   jackets skin fur nails