Olsen David - Rogets Thesaurus of Words for Writers

Avon, Massachusetts

All writers, from time to time, need a reference sourcea place we can go to find the term that will fit just right into our writing. Whether its romance, mystery, science fiction, or adventure, the right word in the right place can make a huge difference.

Thats where this thesaurus comes in. The object of Rogets Thesaurus of Words for Writers is not only to give you an array of terms related to common words; unlike a standard thesaurus, its also intended to show you how these words are used in sentences, whether made-up examples or quotations from well-known sources. The words selected here are ones we use as writers: expressive, nuanced, and creativeas well as a bit unusual.

For each key word youll find a list of related words sorted by their part of speech: adjectives, adverbs, nouns, verbs, and antonyms. Go through them until you find the one best suited to the sentence youre crafting. As you do so, youll be building your word skills and making yourself a better writer.

As a creative person working with words, you respect their importance. You know the pleasure of finding just the right phrase, of contemplating it for a moment on the screen of your computer before moving on. Theres an almost physical thrill from listening to a piece of great writing in which every word is like a note in a symphony, all sounding in harmony.

You also know that writing is like fine china: A single misplaced word, a turn of phrase that stumbles, and suddenly your work is in pieces at your feet, and youve got to begin the painful process of picking it up and putting it back together.

For the most part, the words we use are formed by who we are. Our vocabulary grows and is shaped by our interactions with family and friends, by our education, and by the books we read. The broader your erudition, the more versatile will be your word usage. As well, your writing will grow stronger, and your words will have more power to move your readers.

Just as a carpenter has his or her box of tools, so as a writer you have tools you use in pursuit of your trade. This thesaurus is such a tool. Use it to keep your vocabulary finely honed and you can expect to excel at your craft.

(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.

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

The defendant passively endured the prosecutors CONTUMELIOUS speech.

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

Martha was caught off guard by her friends 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 senators SCURRILOUS accusations against me were protected, but if he should dare to repeat them in another setting, I will sue him for every penny hes 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.

Marlas VIRULENT words were meant to hurt her sister deeply.

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

McCarthys 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 cant hide your VITUPERATIVE attack behind a few surface pleasantries!

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.

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.

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

(uh-CHEEV-muhnt), noun

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

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.

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.Honor 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 Powerss 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 persons greatest work; achievement of a lifetime.

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