Synonyms and antonyms

NUST NET English · English · Vocabulary. The idea in plain words, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid and a worked example, written and checked by Mega Lecture.

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The idea

These questions give one word in capitals and ask for the option closest in meaning (a synonym) or most nearly opposite (an antonym). There is no sentence to help you, so you need your vocabulary and a calm method.

Before you look at the options, say the meaning to yourself in two or three easy words, or put the word in a short sentence of your own. Then pick the option that matches your phrase. If the word is new, break it into parts: a prefix or root often shows the direction of the meaning, and you can usually tell whether the word is positive or negative.

Always reread the instruction. In an antonym question a synonym is often among the options, waiting for a hurried reader.

Rules to remember

Synonym = closest in meaning; antonym = most nearly opposite. Check which one is asked before you answer.
Define the word in your own simple words first, then match the options to your definition.
Prefixes: bene = good, mal = bad, in / im / un / dis = not, pre = before, post = after, re = again.
Roots: chron = time, cred = believe, loqu = speak, luc / lum = light, ver = true, path = feeling.
Decide the charge of the word (positive, negative or neutral). A synonym has the same charge; an antonym has the opposite charge.
The answer is the same part of speech as the given word: adjective for adjective, verb for verb.
Reject options that only belong to the same topic as the word but do not mean it.

Common mistake

In an antonym question, students see a word with the same meaning and mark it at once. Underline 'opposite' in the instruction and check your answer against it before moving on.

Worked example

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to LENIENT.
A. merciful
B. strict
C. lazy
D. generous

Own definition: lenient = not harsh when punishing, as in 'a lenient judge gave a light sentence'.
The opposite must mean harsh or severe, so the answer has a firm, negative-leaning sense.
A (merciful) is a synonym, which is the trap. C and D have nothing to do with punishment.
B (strict) means firm and severe in applying rules, the opposite of lenient.

Answer: B. strict

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