Webster's New World Thesaurus [Hardcover]

Charlton Laird (Author), Staff of Webster's New World Dictionary (Author), Michael E. Agnes (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0028631226 | ISBN-13: 978-0028631226 | Publication Date: June 15, 1999 | Edition: 4

Although largely replaced by the modern A-Z thesaurus format, the thematic organization of the original Roget thesaurus set the standard for many years. This new edition of the renowned Webster's New World(TM) Thesaurus combines a thematic index, based on Roget's original categories, with the proven usefulness of its A-Z listing. New introductory material and an interpretive essay on Roget and his work reintroduce Roget's organizational technique to a new generation of thesaurus users. A helpful appendix produces lists of important terms grouped by their endings such as -cracy/-crat (government types), -ology/-ologist (field of scholarship), and more. Webster's New World(TM) Roget's A-Z Thesaurus gives writers what they really need -- more synonyms, with the broadest and most useful range of comparisons, examples, and related terms and ideas. It is the only college thesaurus to offer synonym discussion paragraphs and clearly distinguished example lists. Writers and speakers everywhere will find that when they have to say it better, Webster's New World(TM) Roget's A-Z Thesaurus, unique in concept and revolutionary in design, can help them say it best.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The most complete and helpful A-Z thesaurus is now adapted for Roget users as well.

Writers and speakers everywhere will find that when they have to say it better, Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus, unique in concept and revolutionary in design, can help them say it best.

From the Inside Flap

The original Roget's Thesaurus, with its ingenious thematic organization, served as a benchmark in language reference books for nearly 100 years. This new Roget edition of the renowned Webster's New World(TM) Thesaurus features an all-new thematic index, based on Roget's original categories, that provides a new means of access to the body of the thesaurus without sacrificing the proven usefulness of its A-Z structure. New introductory material reintroduces Roget's organizational technique to a new generation of thesaurus users. A useful and entertaining appendix provides lists of important terms grouped by their endings, such as -cracy (government types), -ology (fields of scholarship), and more. Based on an alphabetical list of more than 30,000 of the words most commonly used by writers and speakers in America, Webster's New World(TM) Roget's A-Z Thesaurus suggests over 300,000 synonymous, related, and derived terms to help you say what you really mean to say. Entries include brief definitions to distinguish among the various senses of words and their related synonyms. Idioms of all sorts are included, an unusual and enriching feature in a thesaurus. Extensive synonym studies provide even deeper and more nuanced information, as well as examples invaluable for sure-footed usage guidance. Writers, speakers, editors, and students will find that Webster's New World is, more than ever before, the most helpful and effective word resource of all. Webster's New World(TM) is the name millions of people trust for language reference books. For decades the Webster's New World staff has maintained an extensive language-tracking program and from it created the finest dictionaries and language guides available. The premier dictionary of American English and the official dictionary of the Associated Press, Webster's New World(TM) College Dictionary is now available in its Fourth Edition - revised and updated with over 5,000 new entries and a full-color world atlas. These handy pocket-size references, with durable vinyl covers, are ideal for students.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 894 pages
• Publisher: Webster's New World; 4 edition (June 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028631226
• ISBN-13: 978-0028631226
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 2 x 9.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Thesauruses
  • #50 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > English

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully easy to use!, October 1, 2003

By 

Jennifer L. Metcalf (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Webster's New World Thesaurus (Hardcover)

This thesaurus is divided into two main sections: Roget's style thematic index and a dictionary style alphabetized index.

The thematic index is divided into six areas, covering less than 20 pages:

Abstract Concepts
Spatial Concepts
Physical and material Concepts
Human Intellect
Human Personality and Actions
Human Emotions and Beliefs

For researching ideas, this first part is invaluable.

However, the vast majority of the time, I use the extraordinarily convenient dictionary style index, covering nearly 900 pages. It's easy - if you need a new word to cover the same tired old word you've been using, just look it up. For example, here's the entry for the common word, friend:

Friend, n. 1. [a person with whom one has mutual attachment] - Syn. Companion, intimate, confidant, comrade, familiar, schoolmate, playmate, best friend, close friend, roommate, bedfellow, fellow, fast friend, bosom friend, boon companion, mate alter ego, other self, soul mate, crony*, buddy*, sidekick*, bosom buddy*, homeboy*, homegirl*. Ant. Foe, ENEMY, stranger.

2. [An ally] Syn. Compatriot, confrere, colleague; see associate (in boldface)

3. [A patron] -- Syn. Supporter, backer, advocate, sympathizer; see patron (in boldface) 1.

Make friends with (in bold face) - Syn. Befriend, strike up a friendship with, buddy up to*; see associate (in boldface) 1.

When a word is in bold face, it means that the word is included in the thesaurus and may have other suggestions for you. The number after the bold face tells where in the entry to look for suggestions. The noun form of the word friend has three numbers referring to different definitions. An asterisk after a word, according to the thesaurus, indicates "archaic, colloquial, dialect, slang, or other unusual usage." The N after the entry word refers to its part of speech; in this case, the word friend is a noun. Syn. refers to synonym, or a word that is similar in meaning. Ant. refers to antonym, or a word that is opposite in definition.

The very back of the book has a small handful of pages called the Supplementary Word Lists, which include endings of words, such as -cide, --cracy, --iac, --mancy, and so forth and gives a list of words with that particular suffix. For example, for -iac, the listings includes words such as insomniac, kleptomaniac, and paranoiac, among many others.

In short, this is an excellent reference for a beginner (my ten-year-old frequently uses this thesaurus) as well as a seasoned professional. The organization is superb and it is easy to read and to follow. It's nearly impossible not to find the word that you seek!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful tool for writing, September 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus (Paperback)

Even though I'm a die-hard Merriam-Webster user, I have to say that this thesaurus well exceeds the M-W Collegiate one in both resourcefulness and usability. Extensive, well-organized and user-friendly. A powerful tool to empower your writing.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What is a synonym for thesaurus?, June 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Webster's New World Thesaurus (Hardcover)

This book is a great resource for all students from high school to college and has the organization to easily find the word you're looking for so you can get back to writing. A good desk tool that you will use forever. I love it, FIVE stars!