LIST OF SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS
ABANDON: To give up completely - abandoned the sinking ship.
Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake
ABASH: To lose self-confidence; to confuse, put to shame – abashed before the assembled
dignitaries.
Synonyms: fluster, disconcert, discomfit, discompose.
Antonym: (adj.) self-possessed
ABDICATE: To give up claim to - abdicated the throne.
Synonyms: renounce, abandon, relinquish
ABET: To encourage -or support - treacherously abetted the enemy.
Synonyms: spur, incite.
Antonym: deter
ABRIDGE: To shorten - abridged his lengthy speech.
Synonyms: curtail, diminish, retrench.
Antonyms: protract, elongate, amplify
ABROGATE: To abolish or render void - a treaty abrogated by mutual consent.
Synonyms: annul, nullify, rescind, void.
ABSTEMIOUS: Moderate in the use of food or drink - abstemious in his habits.
Synonym: temperate
ACADEMIC: Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an academic discussion, with
no practical implications.
Synonym: scholastic
ACCEDE: To agree to - accede to a request.
Synonym: assent.
Antonym: demur
ACCELERATE: - To quicken, speed tip - took an accelerated course in order to graduate early.
Synonym: expedite (adj. expeditious).
Antonym: retard.
ACCOLADE: An award or salute - a tremendous accolade for a returning hero. Synonyms:
tribute, ovation
ACCORD: Agreement or harmony - in full accord with his view.
Synonyms: concord, concurrence.
Antonyms: dissension, discord
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,ACRIMONIOUS: Sharp or harsh in language or temper - stung by the acrimonious remark.
Synonyms: caustic, acerb, pungent, tart, mordant, acrid; (noun) asperity.
Antonyms: suave, affable,
ACUMEN: Keenness of mind or insight - showing exceptional business acumen.
Synonyms: perspicacity, discernment, perception.
Antonym: obtuseness.
ADMONISH (noun: ADMONITION): To warn or find fault gently - admonishing the unruly
child.
Synonyms: chide, caution, reprimand, reprehend, reproach.
ADVERSARY: (adj.: ADVERSE): An opponent - his adversary in a bitter debate.
Synonym: antagonist.
Antonyms: cohort, confederate, ally, accomplice.
ADVERSITY: Misfortune - calm in the face of adversity.
Synonyms: affliction, mischance, reverses.
AESTHETIC: Pertaining to the beautiful - interested in aesthetic values rather than in purely
practical affairs.
AFFABLE: Sociable, courteous, and agreeable in manner a much admired, affable gentleman.
Synonyms: civil, complaisant, benign, gracious, genial, urbane, cordial.
Antonyms: curt, brusque, rude, boorish, surly.
AFFLUENT: Prosperous, flourishing; copious - a large bequest from an affluent grandfather.
Synonyms: opulent, profuse.
Antonyms: destitute, impecunious.
AGGRESSIVE (noun: AGGRESSION. an unprovoked attack): self-assertive; attacking, offensive -
annoyed people by his aggressive attitude.
Synonyms: bumptious, officious, obtrusive.
Antonyms: meek, humble, retiring, diffident.
ALACRITY: Eagerness; cheerful promptness - responded to the flattering offer with alacrity.
Synonyms: celerity, briskness, energy, animation.
Antonyms: apathy, nonchalance, sluggishness, lethargy, phlegmatism.
ALIENATE: To estrange - alterated by his gruff manner.
ALLAY: To calm; to lessen in severity - at ease now that his fears have been allayed.
Synonyms: appease, alleviate, pacify, assuage, abate, mitigate, propitiate, mollify, placate.
Antonyms: intensify, aggravate.
ALLUDE (noun: ALLUSION): To refer to indirectly - alluded quite subtly to his friend's
misfortune.
Synonyms: insinuate, intimate, imply.
Antonyms: refer, cite.
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,ALLURE: To tempt by flattery or an attractive offer - allured by the prospect of a new job.
Synonyms: lure, decoy, inveigle, entice, seduce, wheedle, beguile, cajole.
Antonym: repel.
AMBIGUOUS: Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one way - puzzled by the
ambiguous statement.
Synonyms: hazy, obscure, equivocal, dubious, nebulous.
Antonyms: explicit, unquestionable.
AMENABLE: Obedient; willing to submit - amenable to the suggestion.
Synonyms: tractable, docile, responsive.
Antonyms: intractable, refractory, recalcitrant.
AMIABLE: Good-natured; friendly - attracted friends by his amiable disposition.
Synonym: complaisant.
ANACHRONISM: A thing placed or occurring out of its normal time - A machine gun at the
Battle of Yorktown would be an anachronism.
ANALOGY (adj.: ANALOGOUS): A relation between two things shown in the resemblance not
of the things themselves but of their characteristics - He indicated points of analogy between
the two situations. Synonyms: correspondence, affinity.
Antonym: anomaly (a deviation from the general rule).
ANARCHY: State of confusion or lawlessness - a country brought to utter anarchy by civil war.
Synonyms: chaos, pandemonium.
ANIMUS: A feeling of hatred-felt no animus, even against the enemy.
Synonyms: enmity, rancor, malevolence, animosity.
Antonym: amity.
ANNALS: Historical records - in the annals of literature.
ANONYMOUS: Of unknown authorship-an anonymous publication.
ANTHOLOGY: A collection of choice literary works – an anthology of modern poetry.
ANTITHESIS (adj.: ANTITHETICAL): Contrast; the direct opposite - His selfish attitude seemed
to me the antithesis o patriotism.
APATHY (adj.: APATHETIC): Lack of feeling, emotion, or interest - attributed his failure to
apathy, rather than lack of ability. Synonyms: torpor, lethargy, sluggishness, listlessness,
languor, lassitude, dispassion; (verb) languish. Antonyms: zeal, animation.
APPREHENSIVE (verb: APPREHEND): Fearful - Being unprepared, John is apprehensive of the
examination.
APPRISE: To inform –apprised his lieutenants of the new situation.
APPROBATION: Approval; praise -a plan that met with hearty approbation. Synonyms:
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, sanction, commendation. Antonym: disapprobation.
APT (noun: APTITUDE, APTNESS): ((1) Likely; inclined or disposed - apt to succeed. Synonym:
prone. (2) Fit, suitable - an apt remark. Synonyms: appropriate, felicitous. (3) Skillful, expert -
apt at woodcarving. Synonyms: deft, dextrous, adept. Antonym: inept.
ARBITER: A person who has authority to decide matters in dispute - a fair decision rendered
by the arbiter. Synonyms: mediator, arbitrator
ARCHETYPE: An original pattern - copies reproduced from the archetype. Synonym:
prototype. Antonyms: Stereotype, facsimile, replica.
ARID: Dry; barren - the arid desert land. Synonyms: jejune, parched. Antonyms: arable, fertile.
ARISTOCRACY: Government by the best people; a privileged class -special privileges enjoyed
by the aristocracy. Synonym: oligarchy. Antonym: democracy.
ARMISTICE: A temporary suspension of hostilities. The armistice halted the war. Synonym:
truce
ARTFUL: Sly; crafty - attained his mean objective by artful measures. Synonyms: cunning,
wily, adroit, ingenious, guileful. Antonyms: guileless, ingenuous, artless.
ARTICULATE (verb): To speak clearly or distinctly - articulated slowly so that he could not be
misunderstood. (adj.): Capable of speech; distinct, clear – an articulate man, always ready to
give his views.
ASCETIC: Rigorously self-denying - pursued the ascetic life of a monk. Synonyms: austere,
abstinent. Antonyms: wanton, self-indulgent.
ASKANCE: With distrust - looked askance at the forged signature.
ASSEVERATE: To declare positively; to confirm - asseverated his views with conviction.
Synonyms: assert, avouch, aver, avow, allege. Antonyms: gainsay, controvert, recant, rescind,
abjure, disavow.
ASSIDUOUS: Industrious - an assiduous worker, toiling long hours. Synonyms: sedulous,
attentive, diligent, indefatigable. Antonyms: indolent, slothful.
ASYLUM: A place offering shelter and retreat - found asylum from persecution. Synonyms:
sanctuary, refuge.
ATHEIST: One who denies that God exists - The atheist declared, "There is no God." Synonyms:
infidel, agnostic, skeptic.
ATTRIBUTE (verb): Assign -attributed his success to bard work. Synonym: ascribe (noun): An
inherent quality -Generosity was his outstanding attribute.
AUGMENT: To increase or enlarge - an army augmented by numerous enlistments. Synonyms:
enhance, amplify. Antonyms: abate, curtail.
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ABANDON: To give up completely - abandoned the sinking ship.
Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake
ABASH: To lose self-confidence; to confuse, put to shame – abashed before the assembled
dignitaries.
Synonyms: fluster, disconcert, discomfit, discompose.
Antonym: (adj.) self-possessed
ABDICATE: To give up claim to - abdicated the throne.
Synonyms: renounce, abandon, relinquish
ABET: To encourage -or support - treacherously abetted the enemy.
Synonyms: spur, incite.
Antonym: deter
ABRIDGE: To shorten - abridged his lengthy speech.
Synonyms: curtail, diminish, retrench.
Antonyms: protract, elongate, amplify
ABROGATE: To abolish or render void - a treaty abrogated by mutual consent.
Synonyms: annul, nullify, rescind, void.
ABSTEMIOUS: Moderate in the use of food or drink - abstemious in his habits.
Synonym: temperate
ACADEMIC: Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an academic discussion, with
no practical implications.
Synonym: scholastic
ACCEDE: To agree to - accede to a request.
Synonym: assent.
Antonym: demur
ACCELERATE: - To quicken, speed tip - took an accelerated course in order to graduate early.
Synonym: expedite (adj. expeditious).
Antonym: retard.
ACCOLADE: An award or salute - a tremendous accolade for a returning hero. Synonyms:
tribute, ovation
ACCORD: Agreement or harmony - in full accord with his view.
Synonyms: concord, concurrence.
Antonyms: dissension, discord
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,ACRIMONIOUS: Sharp or harsh in language or temper - stung by the acrimonious remark.
Synonyms: caustic, acerb, pungent, tart, mordant, acrid; (noun) asperity.
Antonyms: suave, affable,
ACUMEN: Keenness of mind or insight - showing exceptional business acumen.
Synonyms: perspicacity, discernment, perception.
Antonym: obtuseness.
ADMONISH (noun: ADMONITION): To warn or find fault gently - admonishing the unruly
child.
Synonyms: chide, caution, reprimand, reprehend, reproach.
ADVERSARY: (adj.: ADVERSE): An opponent - his adversary in a bitter debate.
Synonym: antagonist.
Antonyms: cohort, confederate, ally, accomplice.
ADVERSITY: Misfortune - calm in the face of adversity.
Synonyms: affliction, mischance, reverses.
AESTHETIC: Pertaining to the beautiful - interested in aesthetic values rather than in purely
practical affairs.
AFFABLE: Sociable, courteous, and agreeable in manner a much admired, affable gentleman.
Synonyms: civil, complaisant, benign, gracious, genial, urbane, cordial.
Antonyms: curt, brusque, rude, boorish, surly.
AFFLUENT: Prosperous, flourishing; copious - a large bequest from an affluent grandfather.
Synonyms: opulent, profuse.
Antonyms: destitute, impecunious.
AGGRESSIVE (noun: AGGRESSION. an unprovoked attack): self-assertive; attacking, offensive -
annoyed people by his aggressive attitude.
Synonyms: bumptious, officious, obtrusive.
Antonyms: meek, humble, retiring, diffident.
ALACRITY: Eagerness; cheerful promptness - responded to the flattering offer with alacrity.
Synonyms: celerity, briskness, energy, animation.
Antonyms: apathy, nonchalance, sluggishness, lethargy, phlegmatism.
ALIENATE: To estrange - alterated by his gruff manner.
ALLAY: To calm; to lessen in severity - at ease now that his fears have been allayed.
Synonyms: appease, alleviate, pacify, assuage, abate, mitigate, propitiate, mollify, placate.
Antonyms: intensify, aggravate.
ALLUDE (noun: ALLUSION): To refer to indirectly - alluded quite subtly to his friend's
misfortune.
Synonyms: insinuate, intimate, imply.
Antonyms: refer, cite.
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,ALLURE: To tempt by flattery or an attractive offer - allured by the prospect of a new job.
Synonyms: lure, decoy, inveigle, entice, seduce, wheedle, beguile, cajole.
Antonym: repel.
AMBIGUOUS: Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one way - puzzled by the
ambiguous statement.
Synonyms: hazy, obscure, equivocal, dubious, nebulous.
Antonyms: explicit, unquestionable.
AMENABLE: Obedient; willing to submit - amenable to the suggestion.
Synonyms: tractable, docile, responsive.
Antonyms: intractable, refractory, recalcitrant.
AMIABLE: Good-natured; friendly - attracted friends by his amiable disposition.
Synonym: complaisant.
ANACHRONISM: A thing placed or occurring out of its normal time - A machine gun at the
Battle of Yorktown would be an anachronism.
ANALOGY (adj.: ANALOGOUS): A relation between two things shown in the resemblance not
of the things themselves but of their characteristics - He indicated points of analogy between
the two situations. Synonyms: correspondence, affinity.
Antonym: anomaly (a deviation from the general rule).
ANARCHY: State of confusion or lawlessness - a country brought to utter anarchy by civil war.
Synonyms: chaos, pandemonium.
ANIMUS: A feeling of hatred-felt no animus, even against the enemy.
Synonyms: enmity, rancor, malevolence, animosity.
Antonym: amity.
ANNALS: Historical records - in the annals of literature.
ANONYMOUS: Of unknown authorship-an anonymous publication.
ANTHOLOGY: A collection of choice literary works – an anthology of modern poetry.
ANTITHESIS (adj.: ANTITHETICAL): Contrast; the direct opposite - His selfish attitude seemed
to me the antithesis o patriotism.
APATHY (adj.: APATHETIC): Lack of feeling, emotion, or interest - attributed his failure to
apathy, rather than lack of ability. Synonyms: torpor, lethargy, sluggishness, listlessness,
languor, lassitude, dispassion; (verb) languish. Antonyms: zeal, animation.
APPREHENSIVE (verb: APPREHEND): Fearful - Being unprepared, John is apprehensive of the
examination.
APPRISE: To inform –apprised his lieutenants of the new situation.
APPROBATION: Approval; praise -a plan that met with hearty approbation. Synonyms:
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, sanction, commendation. Antonym: disapprobation.
APT (noun: APTITUDE, APTNESS): ((1) Likely; inclined or disposed - apt to succeed. Synonym:
prone. (2) Fit, suitable - an apt remark. Synonyms: appropriate, felicitous. (3) Skillful, expert -
apt at woodcarving. Synonyms: deft, dextrous, adept. Antonym: inept.
ARBITER: A person who has authority to decide matters in dispute - a fair decision rendered
by the arbiter. Synonyms: mediator, arbitrator
ARCHETYPE: An original pattern - copies reproduced from the archetype. Synonym:
prototype. Antonyms: Stereotype, facsimile, replica.
ARID: Dry; barren - the arid desert land. Synonyms: jejune, parched. Antonyms: arable, fertile.
ARISTOCRACY: Government by the best people; a privileged class -special privileges enjoyed
by the aristocracy. Synonym: oligarchy. Antonym: democracy.
ARMISTICE: A temporary suspension of hostilities. The armistice halted the war. Synonym:
truce
ARTFUL: Sly; crafty - attained his mean objective by artful measures. Synonyms: cunning,
wily, adroit, ingenious, guileful. Antonyms: guileless, ingenuous, artless.
ARTICULATE (verb): To speak clearly or distinctly - articulated slowly so that he could not be
misunderstood. (adj.): Capable of speech; distinct, clear – an articulate man, always ready to
give his views.
ASCETIC: Rigorously self-denying - pursued the ascetic life of a monk. Synonyms: austere,
abstinent. Antonyms: wanton, self-indulgent.
ASKANCE: With distrust - looked askance at the forged signature.
ASSEVERATE: To declare positively; to confirm - asseverated his views with conviction.
Synonyms: assert, avouch, aver, avow, allege. Antonyms: gainsay, controvert, recant, rescind,
abjure, disavow.
ASSIDUOUS: Industrious - an assiduous worker, toiling long hours. Synonyms: sedulous,
attentive, diligent, indefatigable. Antonyms: indolent, slothful.
ASYLUM: A place offering shelter and retreat - found asylum from persecution. Synonyms:
sanctuary, refuge.
ATHEIST: One who denies that God exists - The atheist declared, "There is no God." Synonyms:
infidel, agnostic, skeptic.
ATTRIBUTE (verb): Assign -attributed his success to bard work. Synonym: ascribe (noun): An
inherent quality -Generosity was his outstanding attribute.
AUGMENT: To increase or enlarge - an army augmented by numerous enlistments. Synonyms:
enhance, amplify. Antonyms: abate, curtail.
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