English Synonyms and Antonyms

<h3><SPAN name="DAILY" id="DAILY"></SPAN>DAILY.</h3> <h4>Synonym:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>diurnal.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Daily</i> is the Saxon and popular, <i>diurnal</i> the Latin and scientific term. In strict usage, <i>daily</i> is the antonym of <i>nightly</i> as <i>diurnal</i> is of <i>nocturnal</i>. <i>Daily</i> is not, however, held strictly to this use; a physician makes <i>daily</i> visits if he calls at some time within each period of twenty-four hours. <i>Diurnal</i> is more exact in all its uses; a <i>diurnal</i> flower opens or blooms only in daylight; a <i>diurnal</i> bird or animal flies or ranges only by day: in contradistinction to <i>nocturnal</i> flowers, birds, etc. A <i>diurnal</i> motion exactly fills an astronomical day or the time of one rotation of a planet on its axis, while a <i>daily</i> motion is much less definite.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>nightly,</td><td>nocturnal.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="DANGER" id="DANGER"></SPAN>DANGER.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>hazard,</td><td>insecurity,</td><td>jeopardy,</td><td>peril,</td><td>risk.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Danger</i> is exposure to possible evil, which may be either near and probable or remote and doubtful; <i>peril</i> is exposure to imminent and sharply threatening evil, especially to such as results from violence. An invalid may be in <i>danger</i> of consumption; a disarmed soldier is in <i>peril</i> of death. <i>Jeopardy</i> is nearly the same as <i>peril</i>, but involves, like <i>risk</i>, more of the element of chance or uncertainty; a man tried upon a capital charge is said to be put in <i>jeopardy</i> of life. <i>Insecurity</i> is a feeble word, but exceedingly broad, applying to the placing of a dish, or the possibilities of a life, a fortune, or a government. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#HAZARD">HAZARD</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>defense,</td><td>immunity,</td><td>protection,</td><td>safeguard,</td><td>safety,</td><td>security,</td><td>shelter.</td></tr> </table> <hr /><p><span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></SPAN></span></p> <h3><SPAN name="DARK" id="DARK"></SPAN>DARK.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>black,</td><td>dusky,</td><td>mysterious,</td><td>sable,</td><td>somber,</td></tr> <tr><td>dim,</td><td>gloomy,</td><td>obscure,</td><td>shadowy,</td><td>swart,</td></tr> <tr><td>dismal,</td><td>murky,</td><td>opaque,</td><td>shady,</td><td>swarthy.</td></tr> </table> <p>Strictly, that which is <i>black</i> is absolutely destitute of color; that which is <i>dark</i> is absolutely destitute of light. In common speech, however, a coat is <i>black</i>, tho not optically colorless; the night is <i>dark</i>, tho the stars shine. That is <i>obscure</i>, <i>shadowy</i>, or <i>shady</i> from which the light is more or less cut off. <i>Dusky</i> is applied to objects which appear as if viewed in fading light; the word is often used, as are <i>swart</i> and <i>swarthy</i>, of the human skin when quite <i>dark</i>, or even verging toward <i>black</i>. <i>Dim</i> refers to imperfection of outline, from distance, darkness, mist, etc., or from some defect of vision. <i>Opaque</i> objects, as smoked glass, are impervious to light. <i>Murky</i> is said of that which is at once <i>dark</i>, <i>obscure</i>, and <i>gloomy</i>; as, a <i>murky</i> den; a <i>murky</i> sky. Figuratively, <i>dark</i> is emblematic of sadness, agreeing with <i>somber</i>, <i>dismal</i>, <i>gloomy</i>, also of moral evil; as, a <i>dark</i> deed. Of intellectual matters, <i>dark</i> is now rarely used in the old sense of a <i>dark</i> saying, etc. See <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#MYSTERIOUS">MYSTERIOUS</SPAN></span>; <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#OBSCURE">OBSCURE</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>bright,</td><td>crystalline,</td><td>glowing,</td><td>lucid,</td><td>shining,</td></tr> <tr><td>brilliant,</td><td>dazzling,</td><td>illumined,</td><td>luminous,</td><td>transparent,</td></tr> <tr><td>clear,</td><td>gleaming,</td><td>light,</td><td>radiant,</td><td>white.</td></tr> </table> <p>Compare synonyms for <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#LIGHT">LIGHT</SPAN></span>.</p> <hr /> <h3>DECAY.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>corrupt,</td><td>decompose,</td><td>molder,</td><td>putrefy,</td><td>rot,</td><td>spoil.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Rot</i> is a strong word, ordinarily esteemed coarse, but on occasion capable of approved emphatic use; as, "the name of the wicked shall <i>rot</i>," <i>Prov.</i> x, 7; <i>decay</i> and <i>decompose</i> are now common euphemisms. A substance is <i>decomposed</i> when resolved into its original elements by any process; it is <i>decayed</i> when resolved into its original elements by natural processes; it <i>decays</i> gradually, but may be instantly <i>decomposed</i>, as water into oxygen and hydrogen; to say that a thing is <i>decayed</i> may denote only a partial result, but to say it is <i>decomposed</i> ordinarily implies that the change is complete or nearly so. <i>Putrefy</i> and the adjectives <i>putrid</i> and <i>putrescent</i>, and the nouns <i>putridity</i> and <i>putrescence</i>, are used almost exclusively of animal matter in a state of decomposition, the more general word <i>decay</i> being used of either animal or vegetable substances.</p> <hr /><p><span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></SPAN></span></p> <h3><SPAN name="DECEPTION" id="DECEPTION"></SPAN>DECEPTION.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>craft,</td><td>dissimulation,</td><td>finesse,</td><td>lie,</td></tr> <tr><td>cunning,</td><td>double-dealing,</td><td>fraud,</td><td>lying,</td></tr> <tr><td>deceit,</td><td>duplicity,</td><td>guile,</td><td>prevarication,</td></tr> <tr><td>deceitfulness,</td><td>fabrication,</td><td>hypocrisy,</td><td>trickery,</td></tr> <tr><td>delusion,</td><td>falsehood,</td><td>imposition,</td><td>untruth.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Deceit</i> is the habit, <i>deception</i> the act; <i>guile</i> applies to the disposition out of which <i>deceit</i> and <i>deception</i> grow, and also to their actual practise. A <i>lie</i>, <i>lying</i>, or <i>falsehood</i>, is the uttering of what one knows to be false with intent to deceive. The novel or drama is not a <i>lie</i>, because not meant to deceive; the ancient teaching that the earth was flat was not a <i>lie</i>, because not then known to be false. <i>Untruth</i> is more than lack of accuracy, implying always lack of veracity; but it is a somewhat milder and more dignified word than <i>lie</i>. <i>Falsehood</i> and <i>lying</i> are in utterance; <i>deceit</i> and <i>deception</i> may be merely in act or implication. <i>Deception</i> may be innocent, and even unintentional, as in the case of an optical illusion; <i>deceit</i> always involves injurious intent. <i>Craft</i> and <i>cunning</i> have not necessarily any moral quality; they are common traits of animals, but stand rather low in the human scale. <i>Duplicity</i> is the habitual speaking or acting with intent to appear to mean what one does not. <i>Dissimulation</i> is rather a concealing of what is than a pretense of what is not. <i>Finesse</i> is simply an adroit and delicate management of a matter for one's own side, not necessarily involving <i>deceit</i>. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#ARTIFICE">ARTIFICE</SPAN></span>; <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#FICTION">FICTION</SPAN></span>; <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#FRAUD">FRAUD</SPAN></span>; <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#HYPOCRISY">HYPOCRISY</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>candor,</td><td>frankness,</td><td>honesty,</td><td>simplicity,</td><td>truth,</td></tr> <tr><td>fair dealing,</td><td>guilelessness,</td><td>openness,</td><td>sincerity,</td><td>veracity.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="DEFENSE" id="DEFENSE"></SPAN>DEFENSE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>apology,</td><td>guard,</td><td>rampart,</td><td>shelter,</td></tr> <tr><td>bulwark,</td><td>justification,</td><td>resistance,</td><td>shield,</td></tr> <tr><td>fortress,</td><td>protection,</td><td>safeguard,</td><td>vindication.</td></tr> </table> <p>The weak may speak or act in <i>defense</i> of the strong; none but the powerful can assure others of <i>protection</i>. A <i>defense</i> is ordinarily against actual attack; <i>protection</i> is against possible as well as actual dangers. We speak of <i>defense</i> against an assault, <i>protection</i> from the cold. <i>Vindication</i> is a triumphant <i>defense</i> of character and conduct against charges of error or wrong. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#APOLOGY">APOLOGY</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>abandonment,</td><td>betrayal,</td><td>capitulation,</td><td>desertion,</td><td>flight,</td><td>surrender.</td></tr> </table> <p><span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></SPAN></span></p> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>Defense <i>against</i> assault or assailants; in law, defense <i>to</i> an action, <i>from</i> the testimony.</p> <hr /> <h3>DEFILE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>befoul,</td><td>corrupt,</td><td>pollute,</td><td>spoil,</td><td>sully,</td><td>tarnish,</td></tr> <tr><td>contaminate,</td><td>infect,</td><td>soil,</td><td>stain,</td><td>taint,</td><td>vitiate.</td></tr> </table> <p>The hand may be <i>defiled</i> by a touch of pitch; swine that have been wallowing in the mud are <i>befouled</i>. <i>Contaminate</i> and <i>infect</i> refer to something evil that deeply pervades and permeates, as the human body or mind. <i>Pollute</i> is used chiefly of liquids; as, water <i>polluted</i> with sewage. <i>Tainted</i> meat is repulsive; <i>infected</i> meat contains germs of disease. A <i>soiled</i> garment may be cleansed by washing; a <i>spoiled</i> garment is beyond cleansing or repair. Bright metal is <i>tarnished</i> by exposure; a fair sheet is <i>sullied</i> by a dirty hand. In figurative use, <i>defile</i> may be used merely in the ceremonial sense; "they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be <i>defiled</i>," <i>John</i> xviii, 28; <i>contaminate</i> refers to deep spiritual injury. <i>Pollute</i> has also a reference to sacrilege; as, to <i>pollute</i> a sanctuary, an altar, or an ordinance. The innocent are often <i>contaminated</i> by association with the wicked; the vicious are more and more <i>corrupted</i> by their own excesses. We speak of a <i>vitiated</i> taste or style; fraud <i>vitiates</i> a title or a contract.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>clean,</td><td>cleanse,</td><td>disinfect,</td><td>hallow,</td><td>purify,</td><td>sanctify,</td><td>wash.</td></tr> </table> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>The temple was defiled <i>with</i> blood; defiled <i>by</i> sacrilegious deeds.</p> <hr /> <h3>DEFINITION.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>comment,</td><td>description,</td><td>exposition,</td><td>rendering,</td></tr> <tr><td>commentary,</td><td>explanation,</td><td>interpretation,</td><td>translation.</td></tr> </table> <p>A <i>definition</i> is exact, an <i>explanation</i> general; a <i>definition</i> is formal, a <i>description</i> pictorial. A <i>definition</i> must include all that belongs to the object defined, and exclude all that does not; a <i>description</i> may include only some general features; an <i>explanation</i> may simply throw light upon some point of special difficulty. An <i>exposition</i> undertakes to state more fully what is compactly given or only implied in the text; as, an <i>exposition</i> of Scripture. <i>Interpretation</i> is ordinarily from one language into another, or from the language of one period into that of another; it may also<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></SPAN></span> be a statement giving the doubtful or hidden meaning of that which is recondite or perplexing; as, the <i>interpretation</i> of a dream, a riddle, or of some difficult passage. <i>Definition</i>, <i>explanation</i>, <i>exposition</i>, and <i>interpretation</i> are ordinarily blended in a <i>commentary</i>, which may also include <i>description</i>. A <i>comment</i> is upon a single passage; a <i>commentary</i> may be the same, but is usually understood to be a volume of <i>comments</i>.</p> <hr /> <h3>DELEGATE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>deputy,</td><td>legate,</td><td>proxy,</td><td>representative,</td><td>substitute.</td></tr> </table> <p>These words agree in designating one who acts in the place of some other or others. The <i>legate</i> is an ecclesiastical officer representing the Pope. In strict usage the <i>deputy</i> or <i>delegate</i> is more limited in functions and more closely bound by instructions than a <i>representative</i>. A single officer may have a <i>deputy</i>; many persons combine to choose a <i>delegate</i> or <i>representative</i>. In the United States informal assemblies send <i>delegates</i> to nominating conventions with no legislative authority; <i>representatives</i> are legally elected to Congress and the various legislatures, with lawmaking power.</p> <hr /> <h3>DELIBERATE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>confer,</td><td>consult,</td><td>meditate,</td><td>reflect,</td></tr> <tr><td>consider,</td><td>debate,</td><td>ponder,</td><td>weigh.</td></tr> </table> <p>An individual <i>considers</i>, <i>meditates</i>, <i>ponders</i>, <i>reflects</i>, by himself; he <i>weighs</i> a matter in his own mind, and is sometimes said even to <i>debate</i> with himself. <i>Consult</i> and <i>confer</i> always imply two or more persons, as does <i>debate</i>, unless expressly limited as above. <i>Confer</i> suggests the interchange of counsel, advice, or information; <i>consult</i> indicates almost exclusively the receiving of it. A man <i>confers</i> with his associates about a new investment; he <i>consults</i> his physician about his health; he may <i>confer</i> with him on matters of general interest. He <i>consults</i> a dictionary, but does not <i>confer</i> with it. <i>Deliberate</i>, which can be applied to a single individual, is also the word for a great number, while <i>consult</i> is ordinarily limited to a few; a committee <i>consults</i>; an assembly <i>deliberates</i>. <i>Deliberating</i> always carries the idea of slowness; <i>consulting</i> is compatible with haste; we can speak of a hasty consultation, not of a hasty deliberation. <i>Debate</i> implies opposing views; <i>deliberate</i>, simply a gathering and balancing of<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></SPAN></span> all facts and reasons. We <i>consider</i> or <i>deliberate</i> with a view to action, while <i>meditation</i> may be quite purposeless.</p> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>We deliberate <i>on</i> or <i>upon</i>, also <i>about</i> or <i>concerning</i> a matter: the first two are preferable.</p> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="DELICIOUS" id="DELICIOUS"></SPAN>DELICIOUS.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>dainty,</td><td>delightful,</td><td>exquisite,</td><td>luscious,</td><td>savory.</td></tr> </table> <p>That is <i>delicious</i> which affords a gratification at once vivid and delicate to the senses, especially to those of taste and smell; as, <i>delicious</i> fruit; a <i>delicious</i> odor; <i>luscious</i> has a kindred but more fulsome meaning, inclining toward a cloying excess of sweetness or richness. <i>Savory</i> is applied chiefly to cooked food made palatable by spices and condiments. <i>Delightful</i> may be applied to the higher gratifications of sense, as <i>delightful</i> music, but is chiefly used for that which is mental and spiritual. <i>Delicious</i> has a limited use in this way; as, a <i>delicious</i> bit of poetry; the word is sometimes used ironically for some pleasing absurdity; as, this is <i>delicious</i>! Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#DELIGHTFUL">DELIGHTFUL</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>acrid,</td><td>bitter,</td><td>loathsome,</td><td>nauseous,</td><td>repulsive,</td><td>unpalatable,</td><td>unsavory.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />