Account
Search
HelpSynonym Word Lists
Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. Teaching with synonym activities and word lists for kids begins in kindergarten, when lesson plans include activities that teach students to distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same action (walk, march, strut).
In grades 1-3, teachers expand synonym word lists for kids and create lesson plans that extend synonyms and shades of meaning to show the nuances in word meanings. For example, lesson plans in these grades may include verbs that differ in action (walk, tip-toe, scramble), adjectives that differ in intensity (big, huge, enormous), closely related verbs and adjectives (yell, scream, screech and thin, skinny, scrawny), and other related words that describe states of mind (wondered, doubted, suspected) in their synonym word lists. Teaching synonyms with activities to reinforce lessons is a great way to improve knowledge retention in young learners!
Upper elementary students are expected to be able to use synonyms and antonyms, words with opposite meanings, to demonstrate understanding of, and describe relationships between, particular words. Middle and high school students analyze words for nuances such as denotations and connotations. As students begin to understand synonyms, they can make better word choices when writing, and can use their knowledge of synonym word lists to help understand new and unfamiliar terms. When building vocabulary, synonyms are a vital component at all stages of learning.
View Common Core State Standards Related to SynonymsClose
Common Core State Standards Related to Teaching Synonyms
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5.d
Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance) by acting out the meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5.d
Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (e.g., large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.5.b
Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5.c
Distinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe states of mind or degrees of certainty (e.g., knew, believed, suspected, heard, wondered).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5.c
Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites (antonyms) and to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5.c
Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words.
VocabularySpellingCity has resources to help with teaching synonym activities that not only help students master their synonym word lists, but also expands their conceptual word knowledge by providing synonyms and antonyms for words on any of their lists. FlashCards and Word Videos are study tools that students customize to help them learn and review vocabulary words. Students can add contextual sentences and student-friendly definitions, as well as synonyms and antonyms for words on their list.
Word-O-Rama’s game show format is a fun way for students to test their word knowledge by identifying each word based on a sentence, definition, antonym, or synonym.
Try teaching with the synonym activity Word-O-Rama using a K-1st Grade Synonyms word list for kids.
Sentence and Paragraph Writing allow teachers to assign writing tasks that can incorporate antonyms and synonyms. Teachers may choose one of the preset directions for Sentence Writing such as: write a synonym for each word.
Try Sentence Writing with a 2nd-3rd Grade Synonyms word list for kids.
