Search for synonyms using the Visual Thesaurus

The Visual Thesaurus is an online thesaurus and dictionary of over 145,000 words that you explore and visualize using an interactive map.

Type in a word and the Visual Thesaurus will show you a map of synonyms, antonyms, and definitions.

Unlike Roget's Thesaurus, the Visual Thesaurus contains over 39,000 proper nouns and American and British spellings and pronunciations.

It's a tool for people who think visually. Look up your word now!

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

Stay Tuned for Language Mavenry

March 19, 2010
By Ben Zimmer
It's been a whirlwind week since the official announcement that I would be taking over the "On Language" column in the New York Times Magazine, the old stomping grounds of the late lamented Language Maven, William Safire. I'm grateful for all of the warm messages of congratulation I've received, and I also remain cognizant that in taking over Safire's column, I have extremely big shoes to fill. Continue reading...
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Word Count

Writers Talk About Writing

Punctuation Point: The Serial Comma

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.March 18, 2010
Erin Brenner of Right Touch Editing provides "bite-sized lessons to improve your writing" on her engaging blog The Writing Resource. Here Erin offers guidance on a stylistic point of contention, the serial comma. Continue reading...
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VOCABGRABBER

Automatically create lists of vocabulary from any text using the Visual Thesaurus VocabGrabber.
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SPELLING BEE

Think you are a good speller? Take the Visual Thesaurus Spelling Bee and find out!
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Blog Excerpts

An "On Language" Introduction

March 17, 2010
Visual Thesaurus executive producer Ben Zimmer has been named the new "On Language" columnist by the New York Times Magazine. The Magazine's editor, Gerald Marzorati has written an introduction for Zimmer's debut column. Read it here.
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Blog Excerpts

Invented Languages Q&A

March 16, 2010
On the New York Times blog Schott's Vocab, readers posed questions to two experts in the field of invented languages: Paul Frommer, who created the Na'vi language for Avatar, and Arika Okrent, author of In the Land of Invented Languages. Check out their fascinating responses here.
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Teachers at Work

A column about teaching

Short But Rarely Sweet: Short Stories in the Classroom
March 15, 2010 - 5 Comments

Word Count

Writers Talk About Writing

The Power of Short Words
premium content - available only to Visual Thesaurus subcribers March 11, 2010 - 18 Comments

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

"Kanye": Rebirth of an Eponym
March 10, 2010 - 1 Comment

Teachers at Work

A column about teaching

Reading What You Want
March 9, 2010

Word Count

Writers Talk About Writing

Tick-Tock: Productive Writing, Pomodoro Style
premium content - available only to Visual Thesaurus subcribers March 8, 2010 - 8 Comments

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

At the Movies: Plumbing the Depths of "The Hurt Locker"
March 5, 2010 - 2 Comments

Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

Do's and Don'ts for Singular "They"
March 4, 2010 - 23 Comments

Evasive Maneuvers

Euphemisms old and new

A Bad Case of the Peedoodles
premium content - available only to Visual Thesaurus subcribers March 3, 2010 - 15 Comments

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

Bridge That Gap!
March 2, 2010 - 4 Comments

Language Lounge

A Monthly Column for Word Lovers

Person, Place, Thing
premium content - available only to Visual Thesaurus subcribers March 1, 2010 - 19 Comments

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

Owning the Podium (and the Lectern)
February 25, 2010 - 7 Comments

Candlepower

Ad and marketing creatives

The You Decade
premium content - available only to Visual Thesaurus subcribers February 24, 2010 - 11 Comments

Teachers at Work

A column about teaching

A Daily Vocabulary Bonanza for Teachers
February 23, 2010 - 2 Comments

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

Crossword Tournament 2010: Dan Feyer Wins!
February 22, 2010

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

Crossword Tournament 2010: Saturday Report
February 21, 2010

Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

It's Crossword Time Again!
February 19, 2010
Click here to browse all the articles in our archive by date.
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Featured Word Lists

More Top Rated Word Lists:

Evolution(51 words)
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Lesson Plans

Put the VT to work in your classroom

Using Key Words to Unlock Math Word Problems

March 9, 2010
How can identifying key words help students solve mathematical word problems? Continue reading...
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Recent Lesson Plans:
Salinger and the Vocabulary of the Vernacular
February 5, 2010 - 3 Comments
A Victorian Vocabulary Challenge
January 4, 2010
Vocabulary Bursting with Energy
November 11, 2009 - 3 Comments
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Contest

The Visual Thesaurus Crossword Puzzle: February Edition

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.February 26, 2010
With the Academy Awards around the corner, we're feeling cinematic with an Oscar-themed crossword puzzle. Solve it and you could win a Visual Thesaurus T-shirt! Continue reading...
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Announcements

Ben Zimmer Named New York Times Language Columnist

March 12, 2010
Ben Zimmer, executive producer of the Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com, has been named the "On Language" columnist for The New York Times Magazine. Continue reading...
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Recent Announcements:
The Visual Thesaurus and The New York Times Team Up for Learning
October 29, 2009 - 1 Comment
Introducing... Community Spelling Bees
September 23, 2009 - 8 Comments
Grab Hold of Your Vocabulary with VocabGrabber!
May 5, 2009 - 10 Comments
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Self Promotion

Now Wear This!

November 8, 2006
Give your favorite somebody your favorite word map! Now you can order a Visual Thesaurus word map on a t-shirt, mug, even a postage stamp. Simply search for a word, click on the "Share" button on top right hand of the Visual Thesaurus window, and follow the easy steps. We can't think of a better gift -- or a gift to yourself, for that matter! (Hey, we're biased!)
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Webmasters

Add the VT to your site or blog

Visual Thesaurus Everywhere

Incorporate the Visual Thesaurus into your blog or website, add it to your home page, or use it from Microsoft Word. Learn all the ways that we offer to make the Visual Thesaurus more convenient to use and easier to share with your friends, family, and colleagues: Continue reading...