ANTONYMS

GENERAL ENGLISH - ANTONYMS

An ‘antonym’ is often defined as a “word that is contrary in meaning to another”. It is nothing but a word opposite in meaning to the given word. It so happens sometimes that we need to supply an antonym to the given word based on the context in which it is used. As such, an antonym can be opposite in – meaning, gender, status, location, degree, nature and so forth. So, to pick up an antonym to the given word, we need to be provided with the information in which the given word is placed and is in the requirement of its opposite.

Antonyms form an integral part of the English Language. Acquaintance with the vocabulary of the English language is a necessity for effective expression either in the written or in the oral from. Antonyms are the negative connotation of a particular word. So, it is a word or phrase that is opposite in meaning to a particular word or a phrase in the same language.

We must remember the following hints to be quite alert while choosing an antonym to the given word.

¤ We should bear in mind that an antonym must be in the same part of speech in which the given word is.

¤ We should note that the answer should be in the same tense form in which the given word is.

¤ We must pay due attention to the fact that generally the question paper setters include a synonym in the alternative choices, given for the answer of the key word.

¤ Often the alternative answers are in Active as well as in Passive Voice. The correct answer is that which is similar in voice to the key word.

An antonym is a word opposite in meaning to another word but similar to it in most other respects. For example, tall and short are opposite in meaning but both are the same parts of speech (adjectives) and would take the same position in a sentence (before the noun they modify).

Antonyms tend to be adjectives, adverbs and verbs, with relatively few nouns qualifying as true antonyms. For example high (an adjective), slowly (an adverb) and “to fast” (a verb) all have antonyms, while “table” (a noun) does not.

It is meant to help to improve the vocabulary of the visitors, the students (who are preparing for various examinations), the authors, journalists, literati and all other people who are interested in improving their language skills.

Requirement of appropriate word for the appropriate occasion is inevitable because only with a good knowledge of words one can express the thoughts and feelings meticulously.

COMMIT TO MEMORY

Antonyms can be formed in three ways:

1. By adding a prefix like – un, non, dis, mis, anti, de, il, im, in, ir, mal

2. By adding a suffix like – less, ful,

3. By using a new word