Using A Visual Thesaurus

A while ago, I told you about The Synonym Finder but J. I. Rodale. It’s a huge, thick book with tremendous information on synonyms which I am always searching for. I use it daily to find a better word than the one I'm using or to find a different word so I don't have to repeat the same word over and over.

But I stumbled upon a unique thesaurus that is available on the Internet. It provides a multitude of information as well as creates a colorful image as you study the words. It's easy to use. Type the word you you want to explore in the blank and then hit When you need a synonym or antonym or sometimes a different take on a word, searching for exactly what you want can be difficult. One of the best books I’ve found to find this information is called The Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale. but if you’re on the Internet and want to try a visual thesaurus, try Visuwords at http://www.visuwords.com/

This site color codes the words to indicate categories: noun, verb, adjective or adverb. It also provides such information about the word as: a derivation, an attribute, a kind of or part of, entails or causes and so many other pieces of information. You can narrow down your search with the list on the left side of the screen. When you place your curser over each of the circles, it will provide a box for more explanation. Give it a try. I used the word "substance" and was surprised at the information the thesaurus provided.

You’ll get more synonyms from the book by Rodale, but you can receive a quick answer with a broader scope of information from Visuwords and an amazing display as well.

Finding the Right Word

All writers struggle to use the perfect word for their books. We also spend large amounts of time trying to find another word to use rather than the same word. We need Synonyms. I have a software called Bookshelf that provides definitions, an almanac, encyclopedia, quotes and much more, but one of the best and most useful books I’ve found to resolve my “finding the right word” problem is a book called, The Synonym Finder by J.I Rodale. It is the largest and most comprehensive thesaurus in print. My version is from 1978, but it offers me so many choices that also narrow down to very specific uses of the words.

The book has:
• More than 100,000 synonyms
• Simple, alphabetical arrangement
• Subdivisions of the same word used in different parts of speech with subtle differences
• Includes thousands of new words and expressions, entering the language in recent years
• Clearly labeled slang and informal words and expressions
• Minimum cross-references


Quotes of endorsement found in the front of the book included are from Phyllis Whitney, Irving Stone, and others.

I purchased mine on Amazon.com and am so happy I did.