List of Synonyms and Antonyms – General English

Synonyms and antonyms is an important topics for competitive exams.  So learning the words along with its synonyms and antonyms helps to gain good marks in the test. The usage of right synonyms and antonyms is very crucial in our day to day communication. The most common and frequently asked a list of synonyms and antonyms have been discussed below. Learning synonyms and antonyms along with its root words helps to build English vocabulary. Hence it increases the communication skill as well.

Meanings of synonyms and antonyms

Before we go through various words of synonyms and antonyms list. Let’s know what does synonym and antonym mean in English language.

What is the meaning of Synonyms?

Synonym is a term used to refer to the relationship between lexical items which have similar or nearly similar meanings. This relationship is known as synonymous. i.e. Close and shut is synonymous. Or the words that are synonyms (i.e. Enormous: immense, prison: jail, etc.) are described as synonymous.

In simple words: Synonym is a word or phrase which has the same or nearly same meanings as another word or phrase. For instance:  The meanings of the word ‘hide; is same as the meaning of the word ‘conceal’. So, synonyms of ‘hide is ‘conceal’.

Also check:

• Noun Exercises
• Active & Passive Voice rules

Examples of Synonyms

• Abandon: Leave
• Blame: Condemn
• Adversity: Calamity
• Enough: Adequate
• Deliver: Release
• Prior: Earlier

However, it is important to remember that the idea of sameness does not mean ‘total sameness’. Slight distinctions can change the meaning of the context. So it is very necessary to choose the most appropriate synonyms in order to convey the best ideas.

For example:  The words “Deep and Profound” are synonymous. We can say ‘deep sympathy’ or “profound sympathy”.  But it sounds odd if we say Profound water” but “Deep water” is much appropriate.

What does the Antonym mean?

An antonym is a word or phrase that implies oppositeness of meanings. The word “antonym” derives from Greek words ‘anti’ and ‘onym’ which means opposite and name respectively. In short, a word that has an exact opposite meanings of another word is called Antonyms unlike synonyms. Antonym is opposite of synonym.

Examples of Antonym

• Authentic: Spurious, fake
• Ambiguous: Unambiguous
• Passive: Active
• Appoint: Dismiss
• Bold: Timid
• Benign: Unfriendly, Hostile
• Lucid: Unclear

A List of Synonyms and Antonyms

As we have understand what is synonyms & antonyms. Now let’s go through the list of synonyms and antonyms. Here is a more that 200 important words and their synonyms & antonyms have given in a tabulated manner.

Important List of Synonyms

A List of Antonyms