commended praised acclaimed acknowledged

overused expression hackneyed phrase trite remark

enthralling captivating arresting gripping
ordinary so-so undistinguished mediocre
legendary storied fabled fabulous
memorable remarkable unforgettable indelible
thriving flourishing prospering burgeoning
up-to-scratch satisfactory acceptable passable

clich

We felt that the entertainment was not up to scratch. The food was up to snuff, but the hotel staff
was not at its usually efficient best.
The book includes a range of eccentric and memorable characters.
I found the book so gripping that I couldn't put it down.
My wedding day - and I know it's a clich - was just the happiest day of my life.
Their parties were legendary for their lavishness.
Despite the critical acclaim, the novel did not sell well.
The new French-Asian restaurant is a thriving. A second one on the other side of town will open
soon.

Synonyms
Exercise 1
For each of the words in the word chart below, find three other words in the word cloud that can be
used in a similar way.

acceptable
fabulous

overused
expression

passable

fabled
unforgettable

satisfactory

so-so
commended

enthralling

trite remark

remarkable

captivating

acknowledged

arrested
hackneyed
phrase

burgeoning

indelible

undistinguished

ordinary
flourishing

prospering
praised

storied

acclaimed

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

clich

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

gripping

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

mediocre

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

legendary

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

memorable

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

thriving

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

up-to-scratch

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

Exercise 2
Complete the sentences below using the words that were given to you in the word chart from the
previous exercise.
1. We felt that the entertainment was not ____________________. The food was up to snuff, but
the hotel staff was not at its usually efficient best.
2. The book includes a range of eccentric and ____________________ characters.
3. I found the book so ____________________ that I couldn't put it down.
4. My wedding day - and I know it's a ____________________ - was just the happiest day of my
life.
5. Their parties were ____________________ for their lavishness.
6. Despite the critical ____________________, the novel did not sell well.
7. The new French-Asian restaurant is a ____________________. A second one on the other
side of town will open soon.