Difference Between Synonyms and Antonyms

The main difference between synonyms and antonyms is that synonyms are words with similar meanings, whereas antonyms are words with opposite meanings.

Basically, a synonym is the opposite of an antonym. It is very important to know synonyms and antonyms of words when you are learning a language. Especially, they help us to expand our vocabulary and avoid repetition in our writing and speech. Moreover, dictionaries and thesauruses often help us to find synonyms and antonyms.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Synonyms 
    – Definition, Examples
2. What are Antonyms
     – Definition, Types, Examples
3. What is the Difference Between Synonyms and Antonyms
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Antonyms, Synonyms, Words

What are Synonyms

A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly the same as another word or phrase, in the same language. In other words, synonyms are words with similar meanings. For instance, words like delicious, yummy, succulent are synonyms of the adjective tasty. Similarly, verbs like commence, initiate, and begin are synonyms of the verb start.  

However, some say that no synonyms have exactly the same meaning – there may be minute differences. Sometimes a word can be synonymous with another in one context or usage, but not in another. For example, the two adjectives meticulous and scrupulous are synonyms when we describe someone who pays great attention to details. However, they are not always synonyms as the adjective scrupulous can also describe someone who is honest and has principles while the adjective meticulous does not have this meaning.

Figure 1: Synonyms for Start – Commence, Initiate and Begin

Moreover, if the same word is used very often in several sentences, it might make a text boring and repetitive. Using synonyms, therefore, help us to make a text more readable and pleasant.

Examples

What are Antonyms

Antonyms are words that have opposite or contrasting meanings. For example, the antonym of hot is cold; similarly, the antonym of day is night. Antonyms are actually the opposite of synonyms.

Furthermore, there are three types of antonyms as gradable, complementary, and relational antonyms.

Gradable antonyms are pairs of words with opposite meanings that lie on a continuous spectrum. For example, if we take age as a continuous spectrum, young and old are two ends of the spectrum. Similarly, if we take temperature as a continuous spectrum, hot and cold are two ends of the spectrum.

Complementary antonyms are pairs of words with opposite meanings that do not lie on a continuous spectrum. For example,  interior: exterior, mortal: immortal, true: false, and inhale: exhale

Relational antonyms are pairs of words that refer to a relationship from opposite points of view. For example, doctor: patient, husband: wife, teacher: student, sister: brother, predator: prey, come: go, and master: servant

Figure 2: Dead and Alive are a Pair of Antonyms

Sometimes, you can also easily create the antonym of a word by adding a prefix. For example,

Tolerant ⇒ intolerant

Obedient ⇒Disobedient

Payment ⇒ Nonpayment

Trust ⇒ Mistrust

Able ⇒ Unable

Difference Between Synonyms and Antonyms

Definition

Synonyms are words with similar meanings, whereas antonyms are words with opposite meanings.

Examples

Some examples for synonyms include begin – start, new – novel, help – assist, silent – quiet, and slim – thin. In contrast, examples for antonyms include honest – dishonest, begin -finish, new -old, quiet-loud, and thin -fat.

Formation

Moreover, antonyms of some words are formed by adding a prefix; however, synonyms cannot be formed in this manner.

Conclusion

Synonyms are words with similar meanings, while antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Thus, this is the main difference between synonyms and antonyms. Importantly, both help us to expand our vocabulary and avoid repetition in our writing and speech.

Reference:

1. “Opposite (Semantics).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Apr. 2020, Available here.
2. “Synonym.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Apr. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “road, start, beginning, design, concept, conception, planning, attachment, offer, plan” (CC0) via Pxfuel
2. “666772” (CC0) via Pxhere