Practice in Using Words With Positive and Negative Connotations
By Richard Nordquist
Instructions:
In each of the following sentences, the italicized word has a fairly neutral connotation. For each word in italics, list two
synonyms (words with similar denotations): one with a negative connotation and the other with a positive connotation.
Example:
Sometimes my thin friend annoys me.
negative connotation: scrawny
positive connotation: slim
When you have completed the exercise, compare your answers with the sample responses on page two.
1. I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate's cooking.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
2. Scrapple is an inexpensive meal.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
3. Kevin's interest in model cars has turned into a hobby.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
4. Uncle Henry lives in a hut deep in the woods.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
5. Phileas Fogg was an adventurous traveler.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
6. We stopped for lunch at a diner in West Virginia.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
7. My parents are committed conservationists.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
8. My old laptop has finally died.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
9. In a quiet and stealthy way, Bartleby moved into the lawyer's chambers.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
10. The teacher was mildly intimidated by Merdine's assertive behavior.
negative connotation:
positive connotation:
Sample Responses to the Denotation and Connotation Exercise
1. I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate's cooking.
negative connotation: stench
positive connotation: aroma
2. Scrapple is an inexpensive meal.
negative connotation: cheap
positive connotation: thrifty
3. Kevin's interest in model cars has turned into a hobby.
negative connotation: obsession
positive connotation: avocation
4. Uncle Henry lives in a hut deep in the woods.
negative connotation: shack
positive connotation: cabin
5. Phileas Fogg was an adventurous traveler.
negative connotation: foolhardy
positive connotation: courageous
6. We stopped for lunch at a diner in West Virginia.
negative connotation: greasy spoon
positive connotation: café or bistro
7. My parents are committed conservationists.
negative connotation: tree huggers
positive connotation: environmentalists
8. My old laptop has finally died.
negative connotation: decrepit
positive connotation: venerable
9. In a quiet and stealthy way, Bartleby moved into the lawyer's chambers.
negative connotation: sneaky
positive connotation: cunning
10. The teacher was mildly intimated by Merdine's assertive behavior.
negative connotation: bossy
positive connotation: confident