Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context

Key Notes:

What are Synonyms?

Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. They are not always exactly the same, but they can often be used interchangeably in certain contexts. Recognizing synonyms is a crucial skill for understanding the meaning of unfamiliar words and improving your vocabulary.

Why are Synonyms Important?

Synonyms help you to:

• Understand unfamiliar words: If you know a synonym for a word, you can often guess its meaning, even if you’ve never seen it before.
• Improve your writing: Using a variety of synonyms makes your writing more interesting and precise.
• Enhance your reading comprehension: Recognizing synonyms helps you to grasp the nuances of language and better understand what you’re reading.
• Avoid Repetition: Using synonyms prevents you from repeating the same word over and over, making your writing monotonous.

Strategies for Identifying Synonyms in Context

1. Look for Clues in the Sentence Pay attention to the surrounding words and phrases. Sometimes, the sentence itself will provide clues about the meaning of an unfamiliar word.	Example: “The astute detective quickly solved the mystery; his cleverness was unmatched.” In this sentence, “cleverness” is a synonym for “astute,” helping you understand that “astute” means intelligent or sharp-witted.
2. Look for Restatements Authors often restate ideas using different words. This is a common way to introduce synonyms.	Example: “The old house was dilapidated, or run-down, after years of neglect.” Here, “run-down” is a direct synonym provided to explain “dilapidated.”
3. Use Logic and Common Sense Think about what makes sense in the context of the sentence. Substitute different words until you find one that fits.	Example: “The arduous climb left them exhausted.” Think: What kind of climb would leave someone exhausted? A difficult or strenuous one. Therefore, “arduous” likely means difficult or strenuous.

Practice Examples

Let’s practice! For each sentence, try to determine the meaning of the underlined word using synonyms in context.

1. The speaker was very eloquent; his words flowed smoothly and persuasively.
2. The painting was a replica of the original; it was an exact copy.
3. The weather was inclement; it was stormy and unpleasant.
4. He was known for his benevolence; his acts of kindness were numerous.

Key Takeaways

• Synonyms are words with similar meanings.
• Identifying synonyms in context is a valuable skill for understanding unfamiliar words.
• Use context clues, restatements, and logic to identify synonyms.
• Practicing identifying synonyms will improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Let’s practice!