Imagine this scenario. You’re writing, and everything is going swimmingly.Then you’re pulled up short because you can’t find the right word. Maybe it’s that “right on the tip of my tongue” feeling.Or just a sense that something’s wrong.You know choosing the right word or phrase is important because:
But how do you go about finding the right word? It can take time, and you have a deadline to meet. Here are some quick, easy tools you can use.
The rest are online resources. They’re free unless noted. All are easy to use. On each of these sites you start on a home page that has a search box where you enter your word. Simple home pages are best since you’re not likely to get sucked in by something unrelated to your task.
Each site was tested using the word “adept” since it can be either a noun or an adjective. Results that are divided by word type make it easier to find what you need.
2. www.Visualthesaurus.com
3. www.collinsdictionary.com/english-thesaurus
4. thesaurus.yourdictionary.com/
5. www.synonyms.net/
Hope these tools help you find the right word. Are there other tools you like to use? Let me know. And contact me if you need help on a writing project.
Photo credit: Cory Doctorow
- Your choice of words lets you connect with your audience. Choose words, phrases and references they’ll recognize.
- Variety keeps readers and listeners interested. If you find you’ve used a word over and over, synonyms can mix it up a bit and can stave off reader/listener boredom.
- Appropriate use of vocabulary shows your intelligence. Using a variety of words in the right way can make you look smart. Just remember the first bullet point and keep your audience in mind. You don’t want to come off as a “smarty-pants.” (Unrestrained use of big words can be annoying.)
But how do you go about finding the right word? It can take time, and you have a deadline to meet. Here are some quick, easy tools you can use.
- Microsoft’s thesaurus function So many of us write on computers, why not use a digital resource? The thesaurus function that’s available on Word or any other Microsoft Office program is a good place to go. It’s quick, easy to use, gives a good, though limited, list of options, and divides responses by word type (noun, verb, adjective and adverb). If one of the responses is close but not quite what you want, you can look up its synonyms…and so on.
The rest are online resources. They’re free unless noted. All are easy to use. On each of these sites you start on a home page that has a search box where you enter your word. Simple home pages are best since you’re not likely to get sucked in by something unrelated to your task.
Each site was tested using the word “adept” since it can be either a noun or an adjective. Results that are divided by word type make it easier to find what you need.
- Wide-ranging results. Slang expressions and phrases included.
- Home page offers a lot of stuff; maybe too much.
- Geared to a very broad audience.
- Results combine adjectives and nouns. Confusing.
2. www.Visualthesaurus.com
- Subscription (Can use for free a limited number of times)
- Results are provided as an interactive visual. Cool and user-friendly.
- Results are divided by adjective and noun.
- No phrases and slang
- Home page has good stuff for writers – blogs, articles
3. www.collinsdictionary.com/english-thesaurus
- Can choose American or world English.
- Results are divided by adjective and noun.
- Gives foreign language translations.
- Simple home page.
- Results included some rather British words. An American audience would be baffled.
4. thesaurus.yourdictionary.com/
- Results are divided by adjective and noun.
- Good example sentences.
- Straightforward home page.
5. www.synonyms.net/
- Not to be confused with www.synonym.com/ which is not very good.
- Extensive results in many formats, including a visualization.
- Results are divided by adjective and noun.
- Provides translations.
- Lots of ads (the price we pay for free access).
- Simple home page.
Hope these tools help you find the right word. Are there other tools you like to use? Let me know. And contact me if you need help on a writing project.
Photo credit: Cory Doctorow
RSS Feed
