Antonyms

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Antonyms

What are Antonyms?

In simple terms an antonym is a word with the opposite meaning to another.There are fewer words with antonyms than words with synonyms.

Antonyms can be all types of words: VerbsNounsAdjectivesAdverbsEven prepositions

What’s the purpose of antonyms?

Antonyms play an important role in writing by making your words more effective. Placing opposites together highlights their differences and makes the individual words stronger.

When should antonyms be used?

Antonyms are best used in comparisons to draw attention to what separates two opposing things.

Types of Antonyms

Auto-antonyms:

• Also known as contranyms.
• Single words with contradictory meanings.
• Example: "Clip" can mean both attachment and removal.

Converse Antonyms:

• Also known as relational antonyms.
• Words related to each other but cannot exist independently.
• Example: "Parent" and "child" or "buy" and "sell."

Complementary Antonyms:

• Also known as direct, binary, or contradictory antonyms.
• Represent stark oppositions without intermediate states.
• Examples: "True" and "false," "empty" and "full," "dead" and "alive."

Graded Antonyms:

• Also known as gradable antonyms.
• Describe opposite qualities along a spectrum.
• Examples: "Light" and "heavy," "short" and "tall," "hot" and "cold."

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