Antonyms
English speakers and writers use antonyms to show opposites. Knowing when a word is being used as an antonym can help you understand the meaning of another word or sentence.
What is an antonym?
An antonym is a word that is the opposite of another word.
Antonyms can help a writer use more description. Recognizing an antonym can help a reader understand what he or she is reading.
When do I use an antonym?
Different kinds of antonyms can be used to show different contexts, for example:
- Antonyms can show time:
- Early - Late
- Past - Future
- Then - Now
- Antonyms can describe:
- Good - Bad
- Hard - Easy
- Bright - Dreary
- Light - Dark
- Antonyms can explain size:
- Big - Little
- Large - Small
- Antonyms can show location:
- Interior - Exterior
- Up - Down
- Above - Under
The study of antonyms will not only help you choose the most appropriate word as you write; it will also sharpen your overall sense of language. This table lists common words and their antonyms.
| Word | Antonym | Word | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| absence | presence | frequent | seldom |
| accept | refuse | harmful | harmless |
| accurate | inaccurate | horizontal | vertical |
| advantage | disadvantage | imitation | genuine |
| ancient | modern | inhabited | uninhabited |
| abundant | scarce | inferior | superior |
| artificial | natural | intentional | accidental |
| attractive | repulsive | justice | injustice |
| borrow | lend | knowledge | ignorance |
| bravery | cowardice | landlord | tenant |
| create | destroy, demolish | likely | unlikely |
| bold | timid, meek | minority | majority |
| capable | incapable | miser | spendthrift |
| combine | separate | obedient | disobedient |
| conceal | reveal | optimist | pessimist |
| common | rare | permanent | temporary |
| decrease | increase | plentiful | scarce |
| definite | indefinite | private | public |
| despair | hope | prudent | imprudent |
| discourage | encourage | qualified | unqualified |
| employer | employee | satisfactory | unsatisfactory |
| expand | contract | tame | wild |
| forget | remember | vacant | occupied |
Source: Lumen Learning, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/buswriting/chapter/3-5-synonyms-and-antonyms/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.