Vocabulary Worksheet · Grades 3–6
Thesaurus Skills Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 3-6 that builds the skill of using a thesaurus to find precise synonyms. Students swap an overused CAPS word for a stronger synonym in 8 sentences in Section A and choose the best synonym from a mini thesaurus entry in 6 sentences in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
Subject
Vocabulary
Grades
Grades 3–6
Skill Focus
Thesaurus Skills, reference skills
Lesson Length
15 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
A THESAURUS is a reference book or website that lists synonyms (and sometimes antonyms) for a given word, with the part of speech and entries arranged alphabetically. Teachers reach for it when student writing leans on the same overused words – good, big, said, nice – and want students to pick a more precise word that fits the sentence. Thesaurus skills sit at the heart of writing voice and vocabulary growth.
Section A gives students 8 sentences with an overused word in CAPS (LONG, WALKED, CUTE, GOOD, MAD, BIG, COLD, HAPPY) and asks for a stronger synonym that fits the sentence. The skill is twofold: (1) recognize the overused word, and (2) pick a synonym whose precise shade of meaning matches the sentence. Sample stronger choices: lengthy, strolled, adorable, delicious, furious, enormous, freezing, cheerful.
Section B raises the difficulty: each item lists 4 synonyms from a thesaurus entry (synonyms for SAID, WALK, SMALL, ANGRY, SAID, LOOK) and provides a sentence with a blank. Students must pick the one synonym whose shade of meaning best fits the sentence (whispered vs shouted vs mumbled vs exclaimed – which would the team use after winning?). The reference box at the top of page 1 shows what a thesaurus entry looks like, using TIRED as the example. Page 2 is a complete answer key in compact format.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and walk through the TIRED entry: notice the part of speech (adj.), the list of synonyms, and the list of antonyms.
Work Section A independently; remind students that any synonym they choose must keep the meaning the writer intended – ‘big’ might mean enormous, or large, or vast depending on the sentence.
For Section B, model item 9 (‘the team _____ “We won!” with excitement’) aloud: the four synonyms for SAID range from quiet to loud. Excitement points to exclaimed, not whispered or mumbled.
Use the answer key on page 2 for self-check or aide spot-check.
Pair with the Dictionary Skills Worksheet or Synonyms Worksheet for related reference-and-vocabulary practice.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Thesaurus Skills Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 3-6 that builds the skill of using a thesaurus to find precise synonyms. Students swap an overused CAPS word for a stronger synonym in 8 sentences in Section A and choose the best synonym from a mini thesaurus entry in 6 sentences in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
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