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ANTONYMS Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of another word. Example: "bold" and "meek" or “fair” and “foul”. abhor admire adore cherish abolish continue restore revive abstain indulge partake yield abstract add combine inject abuse acclaim compliment extol accept decline deny refuse accord contrast differ refuse accuse absolve defend vindicate adjourn assemble continue convene admit deny dismiss exclude advance decrease diminish lessen affirm deny refute reject agree contradict dispute dissent amplify abbreviate abridge condense anger appease pacify placate annoy comfort console mollify arouse lull quell quench assent deny protest reject assert deny disclaim refute attach detach loosen remove attend ignore miss neglect avoid approach confront invite blame absolve excuse exonerate blunt sharpen stimulate vitalize boast depreciate disavow disclaim boost condemn criticize diminish break attach bind connect build demolish destroy dismantle bungle accomplish succeed triumph cause deter foil inhibit censure commend compliment laud change hold keep stay charm alienate repel repulse check accelerate advance further cheer depress discourage sadden close expand free widen comfort aggravate agitate annoy compound decrease divide minimize compromise contest differ disagree conclude commence initiate start consent demur disagree dissent corrupt correct purify reform cover exclude omit reveal decrease enlarge expand extend disgrace credit favour grace disgust delight impress please elaborate abbreviate condense simplify frighten encourage hearten reassure grieve comfort console ease humble elevate exalt magnify induce curb deter discourage love abhor abominate detest magnify belittle deprecate disparage neglect notice observe regard nurture deprive ignore neglect overthrow defend preserve protect pardon admonish censure condemn persuade deter discourage dissuade release detain keep suppress swell contract shrink wane veto approve endorse ratify wreck conserve create preserve Internet sites to visit: http://www.dositey.com/language/grammar/synonyms_antonyms/antonyms1.htm http://www.synonym.com/synonym/ Note: Learners can develop vocabulary skills by matching words with their opposites. To know the opposite of many words helps with brainstorming and generating ideas. Try this out with the following topics and with a thesaurus at hand: 1. ATTRACTION 2. AVARICE 3. ENMITY 4. FUTILITY Another very interesting exercise would be to turn passages like the following into their very opposite: I was for the first time really vexed. I went to the nearest drawer and pulled it out sharply. I held it firmly. I took out the missing cigar-case. I turned to him with a cry of joy. I was appalled at his expression. A look of contempt was now added to his acute, penetrating gaze. ‘I was mistaken,’ he said. I had not allowed for you weakness and cowardice. Adapted from The Stolen Cigar-Case by Bret Harte. Cathay Books. 1983. 2. He had released my arm and was standing rigid and motionless in the centre of the illuminated roadway, staring like one bereft of sense. His face in the moonlight showed a pallor and fixity inexpressibly distressing. Adapted from The Moonlit Road by Ambrose Bierce. Cathay Books. 1983. Finally, allow learners to construct antithesis of their own using the following as examples: Art is long, and Time is fleeting.—H. W. Longfellow If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.—John F. Kennedy It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.—Abraham Lincoln Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. - Spoken by Brutus in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York Spoken by Richard in Shakespeare’s Richard III. That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.—Neil Armstrong The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here—Abraham Lincoln Then be not stern to faults yourselves have known, To err is human, to forgive divine. -Alexander Pope Too black for heaven, and yet too white for hell.—John Dryden. We observe today not a victory of a party but a celebration of freedom.—John F Kennedy
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