Roget’s Super Thesaurus, 4th Edition

689 Pages·2010·5.69 MB·English

by  Marc McCutcheon

REFERENCE ROGET’S MORE THAN 100,000 COPIES SOLD
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YOUR ONE-STOP GUIDE TO SYNONYMS, ANTONYMS,
ROGET’S
VOCABULARY BUILDERS, AND REVERSE LOOKUPS!
Roget’s Super Th esaurus is a perennial favorite among writers, and this latest edition has U
S U P E R
more than 1,000 new and expanded entries. Th is time-saving reference will help you
fi nd the perfect synonym or antonym to give your writing precision and color. From
aback to zydeco, you’ll fi nd the exact word you need.
Easy to use and comprehensive in content, Roget’s Super Th esaurus includes these
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unique features:
• reverse dictionary
• sample sentences
E
• enlightening quotes THESAURUS
• more that 400,000 synonyms and antonyms
Th e next time that elusive, just-right word or phrase is on the tip of your tongue, reach
R
for Roget’s Super Th esaurus. With more features than any other word reference, it’s a
4th Edition
must-have for every writer’s desk!
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A SNEAK PEAK INSIDE ROGET’S SUPER THESAURUS:
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AUSTERE a. [aw STEER] severe, stern, or plain in ap- —Max Gralnik. see book, novelist 2. originator
AMAZINGLY COMPREHENSIVE:
pearance, character, etc. Also, self-denying, strict. creator, architect, designer, father, founder.
Th e prison’s austere facade was chillingly bleak. syn. E 400,000+ synonyms, antonyms, and highlighted vocabulary builders
1. severe stern, harsh, grim, stiff , cold, forbidding, WORD FIND
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rigid, serious, sober, solemn, plain, unadorned. best-selling author with staying power: brand-
2. ascetic self-denying, strict, abstemious, stark. name author
ant. 1. bright, cheery, sunny, warm, frivolous, or- multiple books, author of: polygraph A
PACKED WITH EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
nate. 2. indulgent, extravagant. pen name: pseudonym, nom de plume, allonym,
authentic a. genuine, real, bona fi de, true, actual, si- ananym, anonym U A unique Word Find reverse dictionary, hundreds of notable quotations,
mon-pure, *kosher, certifi ed, *the real McCoy, publicizes author and books: publicist
and easy cross-referencing terms throughout
*honest-to-goodness, legitimate. ant. bogus, phony, sells author’s books, handles contracts: literary 4
fake, spurious. agent thR
authenticate v. validate, certify, confi rm, warrant, guar- writes a book for someone else who may or may
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antee, attest, vouch, affi rm, substantiate, corrobo- not take credit: ghostwriter U
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rate, document. ant. invalidate, falsify, discredit. i HIGHLY TOUTED:
t
author n. 1. writer novelist, playwright, storyteller, ioS “Here we have a word fi nder that refl ects the
screenwriter, poet, bard, historian, chronicler, bi- n
ographer, dramatist, journalist, *hack, wordsmith. US $19.99 grandeur of the English language.”—Richard Lederer, author of
“A person who you can silence by shutting his book.” Z9241
Anguished English and Get Th ee to a Punnery
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PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDITIONS
OF ROGET’S SUPER THESAURUS
“One of the most valuable word references found anywhere.”
—Barnes and Noble Editorial Review

“Th is comprehensive, detailed, and thorough new resource will
be a boon to students. A great reference that will provide vari-
ety, precision and clarity for all writers.”
—School Library Journal

“An excellent thesaurus which students and professional writ-
ers will fi nd invaluable.”
—Writers Write, Th e Internet Writing Journal

“It’s called super for a reason. Roget’s Super Th esaurus boasts
synonyms, antonyms, quotations and more, all in one desk-
sized package. Crossword enthusiasts will love the reverse dic-
tionary, and everyone—from junior-high students to college
professors—will appreciate its comprehensiveness.”
—Editors at Amazon.com
With its bounty of entries and reverse dictionary, McCutcheon’s
admirable, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, elegant, extraordi-
nary, glorious, grand, imposing, impressive, majestic, splen-
did, wonderful word treasury truly deserves the title Super
Th esaurus. Here we have a word fi nder that refl ects the gran-
deur of the English language.
—Richard Lederer, author of Anguished English
and Get Th ee to a Punnery
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ROGET’S
S U P E R
THESAURUS
4th edition
Cincinnati, Ohio
M M C
ARC C UTCHEON
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Roget’s Super Th esaurus, 4th Edition © 2010 by Marc McCutcheon.
Manufactured in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No
other part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any elec-
tronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval
systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a
reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. Published by Writer’s
Digest Books, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc., 4700 East Galbraith Road,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. [phone]. Fourth edition.
For more resources for writers, visit www.writersdigest.com/books.
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Distributed in Canada by Fraser Direct, 100 Armstrong Avenue,
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in the U.K. and Europe by David & Charles, Brunel House, Newton
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Tel: [phone].
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McCutcheon, Marc.
Roget’s super thesaurus / by Marc McCutcheon. -- 4th ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-58297-999-1 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. English language--Synonyms and antonyms. 2. English language--
Terms and phrases. I. Title.
PE1591.M416 2010
423’.12--dc22
2010013524
Edited by Melissa Hill
Designed by Claudean Wheeler
Production coordinated by Mark Griffi n
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To my wonderful parents,
Mary and Errol McCutcheon
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marc McCutcheon is a writer and lexicographer who lives in
South Portland, Maine, with his wife, Deanna, and two chil-
dren, Kara and Matthew.
His most recent books include Damn, Why Didn’t I Write
Th at; Th e Girl Named Pluto; Descriptionary; Writer’s Guide to
Everyday Life in the 1800s; and Th e Compass in Your Nose &
Other Astonishing Facts About Humans.
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the updated and expanded edition of Roget’s Super Th esaurus.
You now hold in your hands what we feel is the most innovative and useful thesau-
rus on the market. It has been carefully craft ed to provide:
… a comprehensive bank of synonyms to help you avoid repetitiveness and improve
word accuracy. For example, did the man walk, squelch, or slog through the mud? As
every professional writer knows, the right synonym choice is crucial in adding power,
depth, and pizzazz to compositions.
… a reverse dictionary component (WORD FIND) to show you the exact word when
you know what a thing is but not what the thing is called.
Beyond the need to locate synonyms for, say, CAT (kitty, feline, tabby, etc.) you’ll
sometimes need to know words used to accurately describe a cat. For instance, what
do you call that white patch under a cat’s neck? (Locket.) Th e white patches on the feet?
(Mittens, gloves.) Th e refl ective eye layer that glows in the dark? (Tapetum.) A mating
cry? (Caterwaul.) One who loves cats? (Ailurophile.) Th is exclusive reverse dictionary
component will, once and for all, stop you from calling something a “doohickey” or
a “thingamajig.” Astonishingly, it’s the one extremely useful component that other the-
sauri have overlooked over the years, and only Super Th esaurus has it. Just look under
a main subject word (CAT) to fi nd listed underneath in WORD FIND all related or
descriptive terms (caterwaul, mittens, queen, ruff , etc.)
… a built-in vocabulary book. Th roughout the thesaurus, vocabulary words are
CAPITALIZED, given a pronunciation key, and sampled in a sentence. No need to buy
a separate vocabulary builder. Super Th esaurus highlights hundreds of sharp words to
help you bushwhack your way out of the wilderness of Tarzan-like communication
and into the vernacular of the world’s greatest wordsmiths. Once again, no other the-
saurus has this component. It’s a Super Th esaurus exclusive.
… quotations that double as synonyms. Many entries throughout Super Th esaurus have
them. For example, you may want to call MOUNTAINS hills or peaks, but if you really
want to impress, why not quote Lord Byron and call them the “Palaces of Nature”?
You’ll fi nd such quotes immediately following the normal list of synonyms.
… antonyms. For when you need the opposite of a synonym. For example, an antonym
of ATTRACTIVE would be repulsive. Antonyms are always listed at the very end of
an entry.
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Super Th esaurus is arranged alphabetically. It has no space-wasting index to make itself
look bigger than it really is. To fi nd the word you want, simply turn to its order in the
alphabet. Typically, you’ll make just one reference stop instead of two or three, as is
necessary in indexed formats.
Unlike most other thesauri, Super Th esaurus includes many “minor” words as head
entries. Th at way annoying cross-references are greatly reduced. When you encounter
a “minor” word, at least two or three synonyms are given in the hope that one of those
words will be the one you need. Th at way you again sidestep the need for a time-con-
suming cross-reference.
Usages are divided by separate entries for adjective [a.], adverb [adv.], noun [n.],
pronoun [pron.], verb [v.], and preposition [prep.] Separate senses within each part
of speech are clearly delineated by number, by brief defi nition or defi nitive word, or,
occasionally, when meanings are closely related, by a simple semicolon between word
lists. Slang or informal words are delineated by a simple [*] asterisk.
Use Super Th esaurus to sharpen your writing in letters, reports, articles, novels, and
poetry. Use it to beef up your vocabulary, locate a quotation, or help you fi ll out that
challenging crossword puzzle. Th e longer you use Superthesaurus the more you’ll
appreciate its extra features.
If you need synonyms, any old thesaurus will do. If you want to become a word mas-
ter, turn to the one source that puts it all together: Super Th esaurus.
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A
aback (taken) adv. startled, taken unawares, orders: Benedictine, Dominican, Francis-
surprised, confused, *thrown off guard. can, Jesuit, Paulist, Trappist
abaft a. aft , astern, rearward, behind, back. resident: monk, friar, nun
abandon n. unrestraint, carelessness, free-spir- superior or head: abbot, abbess
itedness, spontaneity, wildness, wantonness,
intemperance, impulsiveness, devil-may- abbreviate v. shorten, abridge, condense, cut,
care attitude. ant. restraint, reserve, restric- reduce, contract, curtail, clip, compress, syn-
tion, self-consciousness. opsize. ant. expand, broaden, enlarge.
abandon v. leave, desert, discard, forsake, quit, abbreviation n. shortening, condensation, abridge-
dump, *turn one’s back on, cast off , reject, ment, contraction, reduction, summary, synop-
relinquish, discontinue, renounce, lay aside, sis, brief, abstract, short version, short form.
*leave in the lurch, *cut one’s losses, *throw
in the towel, strand, drop, give up, *wash WORD FIND
ABCs: fundamentals, rudiments, basics,
one’s hands of, *deep six, ditch. ant. stick
simple elements
with, take up, continue, adopt.
abandoned a. 1. deserted given up, forgot- AC: alternating current; air conditioning
ten, left behind, rejected, stranded, forsaken, A.D.: anno Domini; in the year of the Lord
cast off , cast aside, discarded, destitute, for- a.k.a: also known as
gotten, scorned, desolate, friendless. 2. un- anon: anonymous
restrained unreserved, uncontrolled, dis- ASAP: as soon as possible
solute, wild, loose, immoral, wicked, shame- aux.: auxiliary
less, licentious, lewd, wanton. ant. 1. used, AWOL: absent without leave
adopted, taken up, befriended. 2. restrained, B.A.: Bachelor of Arts
reserved, moral, seemly. B.C.: before Christ
abase v. humble, humiliate, degrade, *prostrate blvd.: boulevard
oneself, defl ate, *put down, debase, vitiate, B.S.: Bachelor of Science
devalue. ant. honor, *puff up. BTU: British thermal unit
ABASHED a. [uh BASHED] embarrassed, ill at BYOB: bring your own booze
ease. Mary spoke unabashedly about contra- CB: Citizens Band
ceptives. syn. embarrassed, ashamed, humil- C: Celsius, centigrade
iated, red-faced, disconcerted, discomfi tted, c: copyright
mortifi ed, chagrined, disgraced. ant. reas- Cdr.: Commander
sured, relaxed, cool. CEO: chief executive offi cer
ABATE v. [uh BATE] to subside, lessen, reduce. chm.: chairman
Th e pain from a stubbed toe will gradually cl: centiliter
abate. syn. subside, lessen, reduce, weaken, cm: centimeter
slacken, diminish, decrease, wane, dwindle, c/o: care of
decline, let up, taper off . ant. grow, expand, co.: company
intensify, surge. COD: cash on delivery
abattoir n. slaughterhouse, butchery. Col.: Colonel
abbey n. monastery, cloister, friary, convent, corp.: corporation
nunnery, ministry. CPA: certifi ed public accountant
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
WORD FIND cu: cubic
area restricted to members: cloister DA: district attorney
governed by prior or prioress: priory DC: direct current
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abdicate - abeyance
D.D.S.: Doctor of Dental Science RFD: Rural Free Delivery
DOA: dead on arrival RIP: rest in peace
Dr.: Doctor R.N.: registered nurse
DST: daylight saving time rpm: revolutions per minute
d.t.’s: delirium tremens RSVP: respondez s’il vous plait, please answer
EEG: electroencephalogram Rx: pharmaceutical prescription
e.g.: exempli gratia; for example SASE: self-addressed stamped envelope
EKG: electrocardiogram SOS: save our ship/souls
ERA: earned run average TBA: to be announced
ESP: extrasensory perception TGIF: thank God it’s Friday
Esq.: Esquire TKO: technical knockout
et al: et alia; and others UFO: unidentifi ed fl ying object
etc.: etcetera; and so forth VIP: very important person
F: Fahrenheit viz.: videlicet, that is to say, namely
FM: frequency modulation VP: vice president
f.o.b.: freight on board
FYI: for your information ABDICATE v. [AB duh KATE] to relinquish,
g: gram surrender, or give up one’s power, offi ce, or
GIGO: garbage in, garbage out responsibilities. Th e king abdicated in 1452.
GOP: Grand Old Party syn. relinquish, step down, retire, resign, re-
HMS: His/Her Majesty’s Ship nounce, yield, surrender, quit, abandon, re-
Hon.: Honorable pudiate, give up, withdraw. ant. usurp, as-
hq.: headquarters sume power, take charge.
ibid: ibidem; in the same place abdomen n. stomach, belly, gut, midsection,
i.e.: id est; that is paunch, tummy, *breadbasket, *spare tire,
IQ: intelligence quotient *middle-aged spread.
ISBN: International Standard Book Number abdominal a. intestinal, visceral, duodenal.
kg: kilogram abduct v. kidnap, steal away, make off with,
km: kilometer seize, grab, spirit away, snatch, *shanghai.
l: liter aberrant a. abnormal, deviant, deviating, un-
lb.: pound usual, anomolous, irregular, atypical, un-
L.P.N.: licensed practical nurse conventional, odd, freakish, weird, errant,
Ltd.: limited peculiar, *off the beaten track. ant. normal,
M.A.: Master of Arts usual, typical, *par for the course.
MC: master of ceremonies ABERRATION n. [AB uh RAY shun] some-
M.D.: Doctor of Medicine thing atypical, unusual, or unexpected; a de-
mg: milligram viation from the norm. A blizzard in Texas is
ml: milliliter an aberration of local weather patterns. syn.
mm: millimeter deviation, abnormality, irregularity, quirk,
MO: modus operandi; method of operation freak, nonconformity, departure, oddity,
MP: Military Police anomaly, peculiarity, eccentricity, *oddball.
mph: miles per hour ant. norm, average, mean.
ms.: manuscript ABET v. [uh BET] to incite, encourage or sup-
M.S.: Master of Science port, especially in the performance of a
M.S.W.: Master of Social Work wrongdoing. She was arrested for aiding and
N/A: not applicable abetting a drug smuggler. syn. incite, encour-
oz.: ounce age, support, sanction, conspire, goad, spur,
PA: public address (system) egg on, endorse, promote, help, infl ame. ant.
PC: personal computer discourage, prevent, prohibit, undermine.
Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy abettor n. assistant, co-conspirator, inciter, in-
p.m.: post meridiem; aft ernoon stigator, confederate, accomplice, accessory,
pp.: pages *partner in crime.
pro tem: pro tempore, for the time being abeyance n. suspension, cessation, inaction, in-
P.S.: postscript termission, pause, latency, remission, dor-
PX: post exchange mancy, quiescence. ant. continuance, con-
RBI: runs batted in tinuation, prolongation.
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