Words with similar meanings carry different connotations: the feelings they suggest. Thrifty and stingy both describe someone careful with money, but thrifty is positive and stingy is negative.
Strength matters too: tranquil, calm and still are close in meaning, but each creates a slightly different effect. Resilient suggests bouncing back; tough suggests hardness.
In analysis, comment on why a writer chose one word rather than another. In your own writing, choose the word whose connotation fits your purpose.
Worked example
Which word is most positive? A: stubborn B: determined C: obstinate
- Stubborn and obstinate suggest refusing unreasonably.
- Determined suggests admirable persistence.
Answer:B: determined
Key words
- connotation
- the feelings and ideas a word suggests
- denotation
- the dictionary meaning
- precise
- exactly right
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.8.5c