The Synonym Finder

by J.I. Rodale, Laurence Urdang, Nancy LaRoche

With a simple alphabetical arrangement this book has been expanded to include thousands of new words and expressions that have entered the language in recent years, and includes clearly labelled slang and informal words and expressions.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction, Language, Dictionaries, Research, Textbooks

1361 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Jerome Irving Rodale (surname accented on second syllable) (August 16, 1898 – June 8, 1971), was a playwright, editor, author, and founder of Rodale, Inc.

He was one of the first advocates of a return to sustainable agriculture and organic farming in the United States. He founded a publishing empire, founded several magazines, and published many books—his own and those of others—on health. He also published works on a wide variety of other topics, including The Synonym Finder. Rodale popularized the term "organic" to mean grown without pesticides.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it's odd to review a thesaurus, but this really is the best, by far. I mean, sure, it starts off slow, and there's dull patch around "P" and "Q", but then it really picks up pace. And the ending? Wow. Seriously. I never saw it coming.

[Franky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for high school and college students, writers in general, or anyone who is in a composition class of some type. What I like best about this thesaurus is that it is very comprehensive. There are many synonyms given for the words, and the choices are highly effective. This book is also very useful as simply a way to increase one's vocabulary and knowledge of words. To use stronger, more sophisticated language in writing is key to success, and The Synonym Finder will help students find higher-level and stronger word choice. For instance, this book is a good way to help a student who uses the word "interesting" fifteen times in their essay ("engaging", "engrossing", "absorbing", "provocative", "thought-provoking", "riveting", "fascinating", "captivating" "spell-binding", "enchanting", etc).

Definitely a fantastic book and resource for students and writers. Sort of like the Holy Grail of Thesauri.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever have trouble thinking of the right word, it's right here! It also has antonyms listed. The layout is easy to use and more intuitive than a regular thesaurus.

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this book almost daily since the early eighties. For many years I had two shelves of thesauri and dictionaries above the desk; gradually, I narrowed that down to a few dictionaries and one thesaurus, this one. I happened to see the following review online recently and copy it here because i can't say it any better.

"This is the best thesaurus there is. It supplies more synonyms, analogs, parallels, equivalents and comparable words in English than any other source, online or off. No other thesaurus comes near to it for completeness or breadth. ...

Its single downside, however, is a major frustration: it is not available digitally, in a form compatible to the way most people write these days. It should live on your computer in a pull-down option, or plug-in for Word or the like. I’m totally baffled why it is not. As it is, it’s a huge fat book — a great book! — sitting within arms’ reach when I write, but not near enough for the power that it offers." KK.org (cooltools)

[Esther Bradley-detally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't use a Thesauras, and I suspect that is because I've been such a greedy reader, an ocean of words lives within my psyche and words spring up like wales larking in the ocean. I dunno, but a friend's husband (she is a writer) gave her The Synonym Finder, and it is fantastic. I will user it in teaching writing. I ordered one from Alibris Books on line, and this is a great site. Shipping is 3.95, and some books go as low as 99 cents.

So this is my year end's contribution to books that work for you! best to all.

[Evan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the best organized and fulsome thesaurus ever. But what is it about thesauri that make them useless to me when I am seeking that very precise word? Nine times out of ten I still don't quite find the word that has the subtlety and precision I want, yet I just know that it's out there. Most of the entries are ten-gallon words you wouldn't use in a million years unless you just wanted to look like a pompous ass. Maybe I need to make up my own.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful reference for writers, students, and other who attempt to use English with some precision and/or color. I bought mine back in the mid 1980s and still use it even in this age of online thesaurus resources. I’ve found it can be quicker to use, and in certain instances offers more depth.

[Rudi Dewilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Kindle synonym finder available. A no-brainer. If you want to write in English, this should sit on your shelf prominently.

[Linda Olin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for writers. I bought my copy 5 years ago, and it's had heavy use for writing hymn texts.

[John Gushue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to say that I've "read" this book, but I have spent a lot of time with it over the years. Decades even.

[Roxann Dehlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to possess this reference! So comprehensive!

[AVANTI KUMAR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful reference.

[J. Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuous use book, a necessity for poets and writers!

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not exactly a book to mark as 'finished!' It is a good one to have on the shelf and to dip into regularly.

[Kimberley Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my all-time fav resources as a writer

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thesaurus contains nearly fourteen hundred pages and a million and a half synonymous words. It is laid out in an easy to use format so the one word you’re looking for can be found quickly. Used in conjunction with a good dictionary, you should be able to use words in a way that readers can understand and enjoy.

This is one resource I would recommend for anyone serious about working with language, and should be a staple of every reference library. It is a comprehensive compilation of English words with a focus on ‘like’ words which are considered synonyms.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh if you want, but this is by far the most cherished book I own. I use it almost every day for freelance writing, poetry, short stories, novels, articles, blogs, etc. I love some of the more arcane synonyms and phrases for common words, and just flipping through randomly is fun for a word nerd like me. Plus it's heavy enough you could kill a grizzly with it, should you have the need. A must own.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the best thesaurus, or book of words and their synonym's, that I have ever used. I not only used it when writing papers in college, but I continue to use it when writing business correspondence. This book is a great addition to anyone's reference library that is involved in written communication.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the definitive thesaurus. It has synonyms for just about any word you might be looking for. And under words with multiple meanings there are subdivisions of synonyms for each different meaning. A great book for anyone who loves the English language (or anyone who can't quite find the word he or she is looking for).

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've ever read. I've never had a thesarus, aside from the mandatory pocket thesaurus of middle school and high school, and let me tell you, I never knew what I was missing (a whole lot, apparently.) It's like having a cross-listed appendix of your dictionary.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this terrific book to my brother, the journalist. He decided it has been so useful to him that he credited it in his recent book, "Sacred Sea: A Journey to Lake Baikal". I thought that was pretty cool and thank Rodale for writing it and my friend Tom for first introducing me to it!

[Rachel]

With a simple alphabetical arrangement this book has been expanded to include thousands of new words and expressions that have entered the language in recent years, and includes clearly labelled slang and informal words and expressions.

[Judith Ann Kohnen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must in your writing library! This book will not only provide you with a wide variety of words to use in all your writing, but will help you find “just the right word” to use. This book can also serve as a wonderful source for inspiration.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for all wordsmiths! Go buy your copy now! Heck, splurge on the hard copy! It's worth it!

[Chana Shwadlenak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best. Thesaurus. Ever.

[Merrill Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite writing tool. Much better than any thesaurus. Even helpful when titling your artwork.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars just for the title!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

seriously, probably *the* most useful book I own.

[Anita Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandmother (a former English professor) gave this to me when I went off to college. It is, hands down, the best thesaurus I've ever used.

[Rachel Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is always by my side. I should probably get an up to date edition, but I love this one too much.