All writers, from time to time, need a reference source—a place we can go to find the term that will fit just right into our writing. Whether it’s romance, mystery, science fiction, or adventure, the right word in the right place can make a huge difference.
That’s where this thesaurus comes in. The object of Roget’s Thesaurus of Words for Writers is not only to give you an array of terms related to common words; unlike a standard thesaurus, it’s 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 creative—as well as a bit unusual.
For each key word you’ll 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 you’re crafting. As you do so, you’ll 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. There’s 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 you’ve 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.