English Synonyms and Antonyms

<h3><SPAN name="ALLOT" id="ALLOT"></SPAN>ALLOT.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>appoint,</td><td>destine,</td><td>give,</td><td>portion out,</td></tr> <tr><td>apportion,</td><td>distribute,</td><td>grant,</td><td>select,</td></tr> <tr><td>assign,</td><td>divide,</td><td>mete out,</td><td>set apart.</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="4">award,</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Allot</i>, originally to assign by lot, applies to the giving of a definite thing to a certain person. A portion or extent of time is <i>allotted</i>;<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></SPAN></span> as, I expect to live out my <i>allotted</i> time. A definite period is <i>appointed</i>; as, the audience assembled at the <i>appointed</i> hour. <i>Allot</i> may also refer to space; as, to <i>allot</i> a plot of ground for a cemetery; but we now oftener use <i>select</i>, <i>set apart</i>, or <i>assign</i>. <i>Allot</i> is not now used of persons. <i>Appoint</i> may be used of time, space, or person; as, the <i>appointed</i> day; the <i>appointed</i> place; an officer was <i>appointed</i> to this station. <i>Destine</i> may also refer to time, place, or person, but it always has reference to what is considerably in the future; a man <i>appoints</i> to meet his friend in five minutes; he <i>destines</i> his son to follow his own profession. <i>Assign</i> is rarely used of time, but rather of places, persons, or things. We <i>assign</i> a work to be done and <i>assign</i> a man to do it, who, if he fails, must <i>assign</i> a reason for not doing it. That which is <i>allotted</i>, <i>appointed</i>, or <i>assigned</i> is more or less arbitrary; that which is <i>awarded</i> is the due requital of something the receiver has done, and he has right and claim to it; as, the medal was <i>awarded</i> for valor. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#APPORTION">APPORTION</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>appropriate,</td><td>deny,</td><td>resume,</td><td>seize,</td></tr> <tr><td>confiscate,</td><td>refuse,</td><td>retain,</td><td>withhold.</td></tr> </table> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>Allot <i>to</i> a company <i>for</i> a purpose.</p> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="ALLOW" id="ALLOW"></SPAN>ALLOW.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>admit,</td><td>consent to,</td><td>let,</td><td>sanction,</td><td>tolerate,</td></tr> <tr><td>concede,</td><td>grant,</td><td>permit,</td><td>suffer,</td><td>yield.</td></tr> </table> <p>We <i>allow</i> that which we do not attempt to hinder; we <i>permit</i> that to which we give some express authorization. When this is given verbally it is called permission; when in writing it is commonly called a permit. There are establishments that any one will be <i>allowed</i> to visit without challenge or hindrance; there are others that no one is <i>allowed</i> to visit without a permit from the manager; there are others to which visitors are <i>admitted</i> at specified times, without a formal permit. We <i>allow</i> a child's innocent intrusion; we <i>concede</i> a right; <i>grant</i> a request; <i>consent</i> to a sale of property; <i>permit</i> an inspection of accounts; <i>sanction</i> a marriage; <i>tolerate</i> the rudeness of a well-meaning servant; <i>submit</i> to a surgical operation; <i>yield</i> to a demand or necessity against our wish or will, or <i>yield</i> something under compulsion; as, the sheriff <i>yielded</i> the keys at the muzzle of a revolver, and <i>allowed</i> the mob to enter. <i>Suffer</i>, in the sense of mild concession, is now becoming rare, its<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></SPAN></span> place being taken by <i>allow</i>, <i>permit</i>, or <i>tolerate</i>. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#PERMISSION">PERMISSION</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>deny,</td><td>disapprove,</td><td>protest,</td><td>reject,</td><td rowspan="2">withstand.</td></tr> <tr><td>disallow,</td><td>forbid,</td><td>refuse,</td><td>resist,</td></tr> </table> <p>See also synonyms for <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#PROHIBIT">PROHIBIT</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>To allow <i>of</i> (in best recent usage, simply to <i>allow</i>) such an action; allow one <i>in</i> such a course; allow <i>for</i> spending-money.</p> <hr /> <h3>ALLOY.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>admixture,</td><td>adulteration,</td><td>debasement,</td><td>deterioration.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Alloy</i> may be either some admixture of baser with precious metal, as for giving hardness to coin or the like, or it may be a compound or mixture of two or more metals. <i>Adulteration</i>, <i>debasement</i>, and <i>deterioration</i> are always used in the bad sense; <i>admixture</i> is neutral, and may be good or bad; <i>alloy</i> is commonly good in the literal sense. An excess of <i>alloy</i> virtually amounts to <i>adulteration</i>; but <i>adulteration</i> is now mostly restricted to articles used for food, drink, medicine, and kindred uses. In the figurative sense, as applied to character, etc., <i>alloy</i> is unfavorable, because there the only standard is perfection.</p> <hr /> <h3>ALLUDE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>advert,</td><td>indicate,</td><td>intimate,</td><td>point,</td><td>signify,</td></tr> <tr><td>hint,</td><td>insinuate,</td><td>mention,</td><td>refer,</td><td>suggest.</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="5">imply,</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Advert</i>, <i>mention</i>, and <i>refer</i> are used of language that more or less distinctly utters a certain thought; the others of language from which it may be inferred. We <i>allude</i> to a matter slightly, perhaps by a word or phrase, as it were in byplay; we <i>advert</i> to it when we turn from our path to treat it; we <i>refer</i> to it by any clear utterance that distinctly turns the mind or attention to it; as, marginal figures <i>refer</i> to a parallel passage; we <i>mention</i> a thing by explicit word, as by naming it. The speaker <i>adverted</i> to the recent disturbances and the remissness of certain public officers; tho he <i>mentioned</i> no name, it was easy to see to whom he <i>alluded</i>. One may <i>hint</i> at a thing in a friendly way, but what is <i>insinuated</i> is always unfavorable, generally both hostile and cowardly. One may <i>indicate</i> his wishes, <i>intimate</i> his plans, <i>imply</i><span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></SPAN></span> his opinion, <i>signify</i> his will, <i>suggest</i> a course of action. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#SUGGESTION">SUGGESTION</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Preposition:</h4> <p>The passage evidently alludes <i>to</i> the Jewish Passover.</p> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="ALLURE" id="ALLURE"></SPAN>ALLURE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>attract,</td><td>captivate,</td><td>decoy,</td><td>entice,</td><td>lure,</td><td>tempt,</td></tr> <tr><td>cajole,</td><td>coax,</td><td>draw,</td><td>inveigle,</td><td>seduce,</td><td>win.</td></tr> </table> <p>To <i>allure</i> is to <i>draw</i> as with a lure by some charm or some prospect of pleasure or advantage. We may <i>attract</i> others to a certain thing without intent; as, the good unconsciously <i>attract</i> others to virtue. We may <i>allure</i> either to that which is evil or to that which is good and noble, by purpose and endeavor, as in the familiar line, "<i>Allured</i> to brighter worlds, and led the way," <span class="smc">Goldsmith</span> <i>Deserted Village</i>, l. 170. <i>Lure</i> is rather more akin to the physical nature. It is the word we would use of drawing on an animal. <i>Coax</i> expresses the attraction of the person, not of the thing. A man may be <i>coaxed</i> to that which is by no means <i>alluring</i>. <i>Cajole</i> and <i>decoy</i> carry the idea of deceiving and ensnaring. To <i>inveigle</i> is to lead one blindly in. To <i>tempt</i> is to endeavor to lead one wrong; to <i>seduce</i> is to succeed in <i>winning</i> one from good to ill. <i>Win</i> may be used in either a bad or a good sense, in which latter it surpasses the highest sense of <i>allure</i>, because it succeeds in that which <i>allure</i> attempts; as, "He that <i>winneth</i> souls is wise," <i>Prov.</i> xi, 30.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>chill,</td><td>damp,</td><td>deter,</td><td>dissuade,</td><td>drive away,</td><td>repel,</td><td>warn.</td></tr> </table> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>Allure <i>to</i> a course; allure <i>by</i> hopes; allure <i>from</i> evil <i>to</i> good.</p> <hr /> <h3>ALSO.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>as well,</td><td>in addition,</td><td>likewise,</td><td>too,</td></tr> <tr><td>as well as,</td><td>in like manner,</td><td>similarly,</td><td>withal.</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="4">besides,</td></tr> </table> <p>While some distinctions between these words and phrases will appear to the careful student, yet in practise the choice between them is largely to secure euphony and avoid repetition. The words fall into two groups; <i>as well as</i>, <i>besides</i>, <i>in addition</i>, <i>too</i>, <i>withal</i>, simply add a fact or thought; <i>also</i> (all so), <i>in like manner</i>, <i>likewise</i>, <i>similarly</i>, affirm that what is added is like that to which it is added. <i>As well</i> follows the word or phrase to which it is<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></SPAN></span> joined. We can say the singers <i>as well as</i> the players, or the players, and the singers <i>as well</i>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>but,</td><td>nevertheless,</td><td>on the contrary,</td><td rowspan="2">yet.</td></tr> <tr><td>in spite of,</td><td>notwithstanding,</td><td>on the other hand,</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <h3>ALTERNATIVE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>choice,</td><td>election,</td><td>option,</td><td>pick,</td><td>preference,</td><td>resource.</td></tr> </table> <p>A <i>choice</i> may be among many things; an <i>alternative</i> is in the strictest sense a <i>choice</i> between two things; oftener it is one of two things between which a <i>choice</i> is to be made, and either of which is the <i>alternative</i> of the other; as, the <i>alternative</i> of surrender is death; or the two things between which there is a <i>choice</i> may be called the <i>alternatives</i>; both Mill and Gladstone are quoted as extending the meaning of <i>alternative</i> to include several particulars, Gladstone even speaking of "the fourth and last of these <i>alternatives</i>." <i>Option</i> is the right or privilege of choosing; <i>choice</i> may be either the right to choose, the act of choosing, or the thing chosen. A person of ability and readiness will commonly have many <i>resources</i>. <i>Pick</i>, from the Saxon, and <i>election</i>, from the Latin, picture the objects before one, with freedom and power to choose which he will; as, there were twelve horses, among which I could take my <i>pick</i>. A <i>choice</i>, <i>pick</i>, <i>election</i>, or <i>preference</i> is that which suits one best; an <i>alternative</i> is that to which one is restricted; a <i>resource</i>, that to which one is glad to betake oneself.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>compulsion,</td><td>necessity.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <h3>AMASS.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>accumulate,</td><td>collect,</td><td>heap up,</td><td>hoard up,</td><td>store up.</td></tr> <tr><td>aggregate,</td><td>gather,</td><td>hoard,</td><td colspan="2">pile up,</td></tr> </table> <p>To <i>amass</i> is to bring together materials that make a mass, a great bulk or quantity. With some occasional exceptions, <i>accumulate</i> is applied to the more gradual, <i>amass</i> to the more rapid gathering of money or materials, <i>amass</i> referring to the general result or bulk, <i>accumulate</i> to the particular process or rate of gain. We say interest is <i>accumulated</i> (or <i>accumulates</i>) rather than is <i>amassed</i>; he <i>accumulated</i> a fortune in the course of years; he rapidly <i>amassed</i> a fortune by shrewd speculations. Goods or money for immediate distribution are said to be <i>collected</i> rather<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></SPAN></span> than <i>amassed</i>. They may be <i>stored up</i> for a longer or shorter time; but to <i>hoard</i> is always with a view of permanent retention, generally selfish. <i>Aggregate</i> is now most commonly used of numbers and amounts; as, the expenses will <i>aggregate</i> a round million.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>disperse,</td><td>divide,</td><td>portion,</td><td>spend,</td><td rowspan="2">waste.</td></tr> <tr><td>dissipate,</td><td>parcel,</td><td>scatter,</td><td>squander,</td></tr> </table> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>Amass <i>for</i> oneself; <i>for</i> a purpose; <i>from</i> a distance; <i>with</i> great labor; <i>by</i> industry.</p> <hr /> <h3>AMATEUR.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>connoisseur,</td><td>critic,</td><td>dilettante,</td><td>novice,</td><td>tyro.</td></tr> </table> <p>Etymologically, the <i>amateur</i> is one who loves, the <i>connoisseur</i> one who knows. In usage, the term <i>amateur</i> is applied to one who pursues any study or art simply from the love of it; the word carries a natural implication of superficialness, tho marked excellence is at times attained by <i>amateurs</i>. A <i>connoisseur</i> is supposed to be so thoroughly informed regarding any art or work as to be able to criticize or select intelligently and authoritatively; there are many incompetent <i>critics</i>, but there can not, in the true sense, be an incompetent <i>connoisseur</i>. The <i>amateur</i> practises to some extent that in regard to which he may not be well informed; the <i>connoisseur</i> is well informed in regard to that which he may not practise at all. A <i>novice</i> or <i>tyro</i> may be a <i>professional</i>; an <i>amateur</i> never is; the <i>amateur</i> may be skilled and experienced as the <i>novice</i> or <i>tyro</i> never is. <i>Dilettante</i>, which had originally the sense of <i>amateur</i>, has to some extent come to denote one who is superficial, pretentious, and affected, whether in theory or practise.</p> <h4>Preposition:</h4> <p>An amateur <i>in</i> art.</p> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="AMAZEMENT" id="AMAZEMENT"></SPAN>AMAZEMENT.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>admiration,</td><td>awe,</td><td>confusion,</td><td>surprise,</td></tr> <tr><td>astonishment,</td><td>bewilderment,</td><td>perplexity,</td><td>wonder.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Amazement</i> and <i>astonishment</i> both express the momentary overwhelming of the mind by that which is beyond expectation. <i>Astonishment</i> especially affects the emotions, <i>amazement</i> the intellect. <i>Awe</i> is the yielding of the mind to something supremely<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></SPAN></span> grand in character or formidable in power, and ranges from apprehension or dread to reverent worship. <i>Admiration</i> includes delight and regard. <i>Surprise</i> lies midway between <i>astonishment</i> and <i>amazement</i>, and usually respects matters of lighter consequence or such as are less startling in character. <i>Amazement</i> may be either pleasing or painful, as when induced by the grandeur of the mountains, or by the fury of the storm. We can say pleased <i>surprise</i>, but scarcely pleased <i>astonishment</i>. <i>Amazement</i> has in it something of <i>confusion</i> or <i>bewilderment</i>; but <i>confusion</i> and <i>bewilderment</i> may occur without <i>amazement</i>, as when a multitude of details require instant attention. <i>Astonishment</i> may be without <i>bewilderment</i> or <i>confusion</i>. <i>Wonder</i> is often pleasing, and may be continuous in view of that which surpasses our comprehension; as, the magnitude, order, and beauty of the heavens fill us with increasing <i>wonder</i>. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#PERPLEXITY">PERPLEXITY</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>anticipation,</td><td>composure,</td><td>expectation,</td><td>preparation,</td><td>steadiness,</td></tr> <tr><td>calmness,</td><td>coolness,</td><td>indifference,</td><td>self-possession,</td><td>stoicism.</td></tr> </table> <h4>Preposition:</h4> <p>I was filled with amazement <i>at</i> such reckless daring.</p> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="AMBITION" id="AMBITION"></SPAN>AMBITION.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>aspiration,</td><td>competition,</td><td>emulation,</td><td>opposition,</td><td>rivalry.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Aspiration</i> is the desire for excellence, pure and simple. <i>Ambition</i>, literally a going around to solicit votes, has primary reference to the award or approval of others, and is the eager desire of power, fame, or something deemed great and eminent, and viewed as a worthy prize. The prizes of <i>aspiration</i> are virtue, nobility, skill, or other high qualities. The prizes of <i>ambition</i> are advancement, fame, honor, and the like. There is a noble and wise or an ignoble, selfish, and harmful <i>ambition</i>. <i>Emulation</i> is not so much to win any excellence or success for itself as to equal or surpass other persons. There is such a thing as a noble <i>emulation</i>, when those we would equal or surpass are noble, and the means we would use worthy. But, at the highest, <i>emulation</i> is inferior as a motive to <i>aspiration</i>, which seeks the high quality or character for its own sake, not with reference to another. <i>Competition</i> is the striving for something that is sought by another at the same time. <i>Emulation</i> regards the abstract, <i>competition</i> the concrete; <i>rivalry</i> is the same in essential meaning with <i>competition</i>, but differs in the nature of the objects contested for, which, in<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></SPAN></span> the case of <i>rivalry</i>, are usually of the nobler sort and less subject to direct gaging, measurement, and rule. We speak of <i>competition</i> in business, <i>emulation</i> in scholarship, <i>rivalry</i> in love, politics, etc.; <i>emulation</i> of excellence, success, achievement; <i>competition</i> for a prize; <i>rivalry</i> between persons or nations. <i>Competition</i> may be friendly, <i>rivalry</i> is commonly hostile. <i>Opposition</i> is becoming a frequent substitute for <i>competition</i> in business language; it implies that the competitor is an opponent and hinderer.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>carelessness,</td><td>contentment,</td><td>humility,</td><td>indifference,</td><td>satisfaction.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />