Word Relationships
Synonyms & shades of meaning
Words with similar meanings are rarely the same. They differ in strength and feeling.
1 Observe
Put each group in order from weakest to strongest, or from kindest to harshest.
- Big → Huge → Enormous Each word is a step larger than the one before.
- Thrifty Careful with money; a kind word.
- Careful Spends with thought; a neutral word.
- Stingy Unwilling to spend or share; an unkind word.
2 Discover
Synonyms are words with similar meanings. But each one has its own shade: some are stronger, some are kinder. Calling a friend 'thrifty' sounds nice; 'stingy' might hurt. Choose the word that fits the size and the feeling.
In the Gerund course: Unit 32 Paraphrasing & Synonymy
3 Apply
Choose the strongest word that fits: The banyan tree at the village fair was ____; ten children could hide behind its trunk.
Which word is the kindest way to describe someone who saves money?
In a formal letter to the principal, Rohan should write:
4 Create
Write a sentence using a strong synonym for 'happy' (like 'thrilled') and say why you chose it.
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Example: Ananya was thrilled when her grandparents came to visit her in Jaipur.
5 Explore
Open the word cards and look for words whose feeling surprises you.