Antonyms

The label Antonyms introduces the last possible element of a main or secondary entry: an antonym or list of antonyms:

Entry Word: perfect
Function: adjective
2 being entirely without flaw . . .
Synonyms . . .
Related Words . . .
Contrasted Words . . .
Antonyms imperfect

Entry Word: quiet
Function: adjective
4 not showy or obtrusive . . .
Synonyms . . .
Related Words . . .
Contrasted Words . . .
Antonyms gaudy, loud

Antonyms can come from one of three classes of opposites: (1) opposites without intermediates, which are words that are so mutually exclusive as to leave no middle ground between them (as perfect and imperfect), (2) opposites with intermediates, which are words at opposite ends of a scale that includes a middle ground (as superiority and inferiority, which could include adequacy and mediocrity on the scale between them, and (3) reverse opposites, which are words that mean the undoing or nullification of the other (as refute and prove, each of which clearly negates the implications of the other). When antonyms are drawn from more than one of these classes, members of the groups are separated by semicolons:

Entry Word: assistance
Function: noun
Synonyms HELP1, aid, assist, comfort, hand, lift, relief, secours, succor, support
Related Words . . .
Contrasted Words . . .
Antonyms impediment, impeding; obstructing, obstruction

In this example, impediment and impeding are opposites with intermediates; obstructing and obstruction are reverse opposites.

Like related and contrasted words, antonyms as such are not entered in the thesaurus at the their own place. They may, of course, be synonyms in other lists or head their own main entry.

[Back to Explanatory Notes main page] [Back to Help main page]