Antonyms for antonym


Grammar : Noun
Spell : an-tuh-nim
Phonetic Transcription : ˈæn tə nɪm


Definition of antonym

Origin :
  • 1867, coined to serve as opposite of synonym, from Greek anti- "equal to, instead of, opposite" (see anti-) + -onym "name" (see name (n.)). Perhaps introduced to English in the book "Synonyms and Antonyms" (1867) by the Ven. C.J. Smith, M.A.
  • UNDER the head of Synonyms and Antonyms, Archdeacon Smith arranges words which form an antithesis to one another. The word "antonym" is, we believe, a new formation but useful. ["Journal of Sacred Literature," July 1867]
  • French antonyme (1842), German antonym (by 1859) are older. The un-Greek alternative counterterm has been left to fade.
  • noun word with opposite meaning to another word
Example sentences :
  • Logically the other side of white is not white, while the antonym is the extreme black.
  • Extract from : « Public Speaking » by Clarence Stratton
  • By and by, which was once a synonym, has become an antonym of immediately, meaning at some (perhaps remote) future time.
  • Extract from : « English Synonyms and Antonyms » by James Champlin Fernald
  • In strict usage, daily is the antonym of nightly as diurnal is of nocturnal.
  • Extract from : « English Synonyms and Antonyms » by James Champlin Fernald

Synonyms for antonym

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