antonym

Definitions

anti- (opposite, shortened to ant- before a vowel) + onym (name) = 'opposite name.' An antonym names the opposite meaning — the mirror of synonym. 'Hot' is the antonym of 'cold.'

Example Sentences

• 1.

  'Light' is the antonym of 'dark.'

• 2.

  Learning antonyms in pairs helps memory.

Easily Confused

antonym vs synonym — antonym = opposite meaning (anti-: hot/cold), synonym = same meaning (syn-: hot/warm). Both share -onym ('name'); only the prefix differs.