Using a marker and 50 index cards, you can play a card-style game with synonyms. Using a thesaurus, write 25 pairs of synonyms on the index cards. Base the obscurity of the words on the vocabulary level of the individuals in the group. For example, for a group with a high school vocabulary level, you can use synonyms like “billow” and “dilate.” Shuffle the index cards and deal them face down to the players. Each player will take a turn playing a card face up in the middle of the circle. When two synonyms are played sequentially, the first player to notice yells, “match” and adds the cards to his pile. The object of the game is to acquire as many cards as possible.
A synonym competition is a fun challenge that also enhances your vocabulary. In a group setting, have each player look up the meaning of his name. Going clockwise around the circle, have everyone in the group rewrite the definition with as many synonyms as possible. For example, “Diana” means heavenly or divine, so the players might come up with words like angelic, holy and sublime. The player who comes up with the most synonyms wins that round.
Mad lib games are a fun way to understand how a large vocabulary can alter a text. In a group setting, choose a news article, essay or excerpt from a larger text that contains about 1,000 words. Have each player go through the excerpt and substitute 20 words for synonyms of their choice. Encourage each person to pick synonyms based on a theme or a particular point of view. Once everyone is finished, have each person read the new excerpt aloud to the group and have the group vote for the most creative version.
Learning antonyms is another way to enhance your vocabulary. Have each person in your group write out three or four well-known adages. Allow each person a few minutes to swap out three or four key words with antonyms. Once everyone in the group has finished, have each person read the new adages one at a time. After reading aloud to the group, the first person who can decipher what the original adage was wins the round.