What Is the Purpose of the Thesaurus in a Microsft Word Document?

The Microsoft Word thesaurus provides users with a built-in tool to improve their writing. Rather than pulling a thick reference book off the shelf, the computerized thesaurus attempts to offer a wide range of synonyms for selected words. The thesaurus also links users to the other reference books Microsoft Word has to offer, including a dictionary and an encyclopedia.

Function

The Microsoft Word thesaurus provides a list of synonyms for chosen words in your document. In Microsoft Word 2003, when you highlight a word, right-click and hover over the synonyms arrow, a list of alternate words is offered. If you click below the list where it says thesaurus, a broader tool becomes available.

Benefits

The Microsoft Word thesaurus can add variety to your writing. Using the thesaurus when typing a document helps keep your message strong and avoid repetitive, bland words. Most of the time it is more convenient than a hand-held thesaurus because you can simultaneously type and look for synonyms.

Features

In addition to providing synonyms, the Microsoft Word thesaurus will offer a list of antonyms where applicable. It will also divide the list of synonyms by the different meanings and parts of speech of the original word. For example, when prompted with the word "play," the thesaurus gives synonyms for two verb forms and one noun form.

Fun Fact

If you're typing a document in Spanish or French, one of Microsoft Word's two foreign-language thesauruses may be able to help you spice up your writing.

Warning

Since some words have more than one meaning, the Microsoft Word thesaurus may confuse your word choice with another. The tool is computerized and may sometimes respond incorrectly to your request. So, before choosing a synonym, be sure to verify that it shares your intended meaning.