Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers

Over 2,300 Emotive, Evocative, Descriptive Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms Every Writer Should Know

David Olsen, Michelle Bevilaqua, Justin Cord Hayes, Robert W Bly

• Publisher: Adams Media
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781440573118
• eBook ISBN: 9781440573125

The ultimate tool for writers!

Whether you're crafting the next great American novel or pounding away at a last-minute blog entry, there will come a time in the process when you struggle to find just the perfect word or phrase. Under the time-tested banner of Roget's Thesaurus, this collection will quickly become the most essential tool on your desk when you're working on your next piece. Far from an ordinary word list, each entry in this book is organized by meaning and offers a list of compelling word choices that relate to the ideas you'd like to use. It also provides a pronunciation guide, definition, antonyms, synonyms, and a sample sentence for each listing. Filled with thousands of unique and compelling words, this book will help you find inspiration, expand your vocabulary, and create one-of-a-kind sentences for any writing assignment.With Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers, you'll set your projects in the right direction and engage your audience--one word at a time.

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1. Abuse

(uh-BYOOZ), verb

To use insulting, harsh, or unjust language to or about; to use improperly, misuse; to harm by treating badly; to treat in an offensive way.

ADJECTIVES

contumelious (kon-too-MEE-lee-us). Insolently humiliating and abusive; contemptuous; insulting.

The defendant passively endured the prosecutor’s CONTUMELIOUS speech.

opprobrious (uh-PRO-bree-us). Abusive; disrespectful.

Martha was caught off guard by her friend’s sudden OPPROBRIOUS attack on her behavior of the previous night.

scurrilous (SKUR-ih-luss). Offensive to civilized discourse; verbally abusive; vulgar; coarse; slanderous.

Because they were made on the floor of the Senate, the senator’s SCURRILOUS accusations against me were protected, but if he should dare to repeat them in another setting, I will sue him for every penny he’s worth.

truculent (TRUK-yu-lent). Rude; mean; scathingly harsh.

He knew the play was not his best, but James was not prepared for the TRUCULENT reviews by all the critics.

virulent (VEER-yuh-lent). Poisonously or intensely hostile.

Marla’s VIRULENT words were meant to hurt her sister deeply.

vitriolic (vit-ree-AWL-ik). Acidic; harsh; caustic.

McCarthy’s VITRIOLIC attacks on organizations with no actual Communist ties went completely unchallenged in the Senate.

vituperative (vie-TOO-per-uh-tive). Scathing and harshly abusive, as criticism.

You can’t hide your VITUPERATIVE attack behind a few surface pleasantries!

NOUNS

invective (in-VEK-tiv). Criticism or negative observations expressed in the strongest, harshest possible terms.

“The art of INVECTIVE resembles the art of boxing. Very few fights are won with the straight left. It is too obvious, and it can be too easily countered.”—Gilbert Highet, Scottish-born American biographer and essayist

obloquy (OB-luh-kwee). Censure or verbal abuse of a person, especially by many people or the public; public discredit.

There appears to be no end to the number of celebrities whose activities result in dramatic and lengthy OBLOQUY.

VERBS

revile (rih-VILE). To curse or abuse in harsh language.

Realizing that he was REVILED by those opposing his stand on the military buildup, the senator decided to cancel his appearance at the campus.

ANTONYMS

extol (eks-TOLE). To praise with great enthusiasm.

William has not ceased to EXTOL the virtues of his new girlfriend.

laud (LAWD). Commend; praise.

Rebecca loves her history teacher and LAUDS him constantly.

See also: Criticize

2. Achievement

(uh-CHEEV-muhnt), noun

Something accomplished, especially by skill, work, courage, etc.; feat; exploit; a great deed.

ADJECTIVES

venerable (VEN-er-uh-bull). Respected and revered, especially due to achievement, intelligence, or character.

After many years of performing to the highest standards, our orchestra has achieved a VENERABLE reputation.

NOUNS

accomplishment (uh-KOM-plish-muhnt). Something successfully completed.

To the casual observer it was just a sidewalk, but Simon was proud of his ACCOMPLISHMENT.

attainment (uh-TAYN-muhnt). An achievement.

“I declare, on my soul and conscience, that the ATTAINMENT of power, or of a great name in literature, seemed to me an easier victory than a success with some young, witty, and gracious lady of high degree.”—Honoré de Balzac, French novelist

capstone (CAP-stone). A crowning achievement; a finishing touch; originally, a protective stone at the top of an arch.

When she won the Pulitzer Prize for her last novel, it was the CAPSTONE to a long and distinguished literary career.

eminence (EM-ih-nence). Superiority or outstanding notability; having great achievements or high rank.

Doctor Powers’s EMINENCE as a surgeon is well known.

fruition (froo-ISH-un). That which has arisen from development, possession, use, or effort; the achievement of something desired or labored for.

The novel was, in a sense, the FRUITION of a lifetime of work for Melville.

masterpiece (MAS-ter-peece). A person’s greatest work; achievement of a lifetime.

“When love and skill work together, expect a MASTERPIECE.”—John Ruskin, English art critic

ANTONYMS

debacle (dih-BAH-kull). Utter collapse or rout; a complete (often ludicrous) failure.

The initiative seemed promising enough, but turned out to be another of George’s DEBACLES.

3. Aggrandize

(uh-GRAN-dyz), verb

To exaggerate, put on a false front, and make som...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z
• Copyright