Context Clues Using Synonyms, Antonyms

When you read you might find words or phrases that have the same meaning or opposite meaning of the unknown word.

What are synonyms and antonyms? This rhyme will help you remember the difference between synonyms and antonyms:

Synonyms, synonyms, mean the same

Antonyms play the opposite game

Example #1: Synonym words or phrases

The force of water running over a dam creates power. This power turns turbines, or engines, that help store energy. Hydroelectric turbines are a modern form of water wheels. The spinning turbines make electricity.

Notice the comma (turbine, or engines) Notice the word “are” (Hydroelectric turbines

are…)

Examples #2: Synonym words or phrases

A word used to describe the common way of life shared by a group of people is known as a culture. A culture is made up of shared ideas, customs, and traditions. It tells you how people live, what they eat, and what they believe. Cultural regions are land areas where people share similar lifestyles.

Notice “is known as” *According to our posters, where is the meaning?

Notice “Cultural regions are” *According to the posters, where is the meaning?

Examples #3: Synonym words or phrases

Elevation, or the height of the land from sea level, affects the climate, or weather conditions, of an area. The higher up the mountain, the colder the temperature. Lower areas have warmer temperature.

What is an elevation? What is your clue? What is a climate? What is your clue?

Example #1: Antonym words or phrases

Coal and oil are considered nonrenewable energy. This differs from the sun, which is renewable energy because it will not get used up.

Notice “This differs from” *It lets you know there is an opposite meaning word or phrase.

Example #2: Antonym words or phrases

The author gave his opinion throughout the newspaper article. He should have written the facts instead.

Notice the word “instead” *It lets you know there is an opposite meaning word or phrase.

What is the opposite of opinion? What is an opinion?

Example #3: Antonym words or phrases

During the Civil War Abraham Lincoln wanted all the states to unite. However, the southern states wanted to break away from the union.

Notice “However” *It lets you know there will be an opposite meaning word or phrase.

What does “unite” mean? What is your clue? You can also use the base word to help you: unit

Final Thoughts… An author might put synonym or antonym

words or phrases to help you understand unknown words. What are synonyms? What are antonyms?

Remember, you can always plug in answer choices to see which one makes sense with the context.