You may have already looked at antonyms (words meaning the opposite to each other) but now here’s a challenge about synonyms.

Can you help us out with these, word detective?

 

What do you notice about the words below?

recline        slouch         slump

 

They all mean the same thing…to lie back or relax!

 

 

These words are called synonyms.

 

Synonyms are words that mean the same or have a very similar meaning to other words.

We could also use the following words as synonyms for lie about: sprawl, lounge, stretch out

 

Which of the following are synonyms for think?

ponder        reject        ignore        reflect        consider

 

Ponder, reflect and consider are all synonyms for think as they mean the same or a similar thing.

 

 

A thesaurus is a great resource to use to look up synonyms for words.

 

Let’s try another:

We need to select a word from the left set of brackets that is a synonym for a word in the right set of brackets.

There is only one possible pair.

 

(immobile, portable, importance)    (forlorn, propel, mobile)

 

The answers are portable and mobile, as they both mean something is moveable.

 

Try this one:

(laughable lavish audible)    (elaborate deafening serious)

 

The answers are lavish and elaborate as they both mean something is luxurious.

 

Pssstt!! Here’s a handy hint to help you reach superstar status:

The first letter of the word synonym is the same as the first letter for similar.  

It’s a clever trick to remember what synonym means.

 

If you come across any new words in this activity, make a note of them so that you can use them in your writing.

 

 

It’s now your turn to identify synonyms.  

Good luck!