Antonyms

Words with opposite meanings

120 practice questionsPage updated 1 Sept 2026Reviewed by AISEA Editorial DeskPractice questions

An antonym is a word whose meaning is opposite to another word in a relevant sense. Antonym questions test more than memorised pairs: you must identify the intended meaning, match the word class and choose the candidate that creates the clearest contrast. In aptitude exams, distractors are often synonyms, related words, partial opposites or words that fit a different sense of the target.

Key formulas and rules

Antonym check = same word class + same sense + opposite meaning.

Context check = substitute the candidate in the sentence and confirm that the direction of meaning reverses.

Gradable contrast = two words on the same scale, such as hot and cold or frugal and extravagant.

Complementary contrast = two mutually exclusive states, such as present and absent or genuine and counterfeit.

Prefix check: a negative prefix may suggest an opposite, but verify the actual word meaning before accepting it.

Key concepts

Find the target meaning first

Reduce the target to a short definition before looking at the options. Benevolent means kindly and well-meaning, while dearth means scarcity. A reliable definition prevents a familiar but incorrect association from deciding the answer.

Match the word class

The best antonym normally has the same grammatical role: an adjective should be matched with an adjective, a verb with a verb and a noun with a noun. For example, innate and acquired are adjectives, while relinquish and retain are verbs. A noun that names a related idea is not automatically the answer.

Recognise gradable opposites

Gradable antonyms occupy opposite ends of a scale and allow intermediate degrees. Brisk and sluggish contrast speed or activity; frugal and extravagant contrast spending habits. The exact pair depends on the sense and strength required by the question, so choose the candidate with the closest opposing degree.

Worked examples

Example 1

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to benevolent: malevolent, kind, generous or charitable.

Solution

Step 1: Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly.
Step 2: Kind, generous and charitable support that positive meaning.
Step 3: Malevolent means wishing harm or evil, which reverses the moral direction.
Answer: Malevolent.

Example 2

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to brisk: active, sluggish, quick or energetic.

Solution

Step 1: Brisk means quick, lively or energetic.
Step 2: Active, quick and energetic are synonyms or close descriptions.
Step 3: Sluggish means slow-moving or lacking energy.
Answer: Sluggish.

Example 3

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to candid: open, frank, guarded or honest.

Solution

Step 1: In this context, candid means open, frank and straightforward.
Step 2: Open, frank and honest have the same direction of meaning.
Step 3: Guarded describes speech that is cautious and reserved, so it provides the contrast.
Answer: Guarded.

Example 4

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to dearth: scarcity, abundance, shortage or lack.

Solution

Step 1: Dearth means a scarcity or lack of something.
Step 2: Scarcity, shortage and lack are synonyms.
Step 3: Abundance means a large or plentiful quantity.
Answer: Abundance.

Example 5

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to innate: inborn, natural, acquired or inherent.

Solution

Step 1: Innate means present from birth or inborn.
Step 2: Inborn, natural and inherent support the target meaning.
Step 3: Acquired means gained through experience, learning or development rather than present at birth.
Answer: Acquired.

Example 6

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to opaque: cloudy, transparent, murky or translucent.

Solution

Step 1: Opaque means not allowing objects to be seen through.
Step 2: Cloudy and murky are related to reduced clarity, not direct opposites.
Step 3: Translucent allows some light through but does not provide the clearest full contrast.
Step 4: Transparent allows light through so objects can be seen.
Answer: Transparent.

Example 7

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to relinquish: surrender, yield, abandon or retain.

Solution

Step 1: Relinquish means to give up or let go of something.
Step 2: Surrender, yield and abandon describe the same direction.
Step 3: Retain means to continue to have or keep something.
Answer: Retain.

Example 8

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to parsimonious: stingy, miserly, generous or frugal.

Solution

Step 1: Parsimonious means excessively unwilling to spend or give.
Step 2: Stingy, miserly and frugal are similar in meaning, although frugal can be a neutral or positive form of economy.
Step 3: Generous means willing to give or spend freely, reversing the direction.
Answer: Generous.

Example 9

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to brevity: terseness, conciseness, verbosity or shortness.

Solution

Step 1: Brevity means concise or short expression.
Step 2: Terseness, conciseness and shortness are synonyms or close descriptions.
Step 3: Verbosity means using more words than necessary.
Answer: Verbosity.

Example 10

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to condone: overlook, forgive, condemn or excuse.

Solution

Step 1: Condoning means accepting or overlooking behaviour considered wrong.
Step 2: Overlook, forgive and excuse can express acceptance or leniency.
Step 3: Condemn means to express strong disapproval.
Answer: Condemn.

AntonymOxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary · Checked 2 Sep 2026Supports: the definition of an antonym and examples of opposite meanings

AntonymsMerriam-Webster · Checked 2 Sep 2026Supports: direct opposition, exact opposites and the difference between true and near antonyms

AntonymyCambridge Dictionary · Checked 2 Sep 2026Supports: lexical contrast, antonymy and gradation among adjective opposites

Antonyms

Key formulas and rules

Key concepts

Find the target meaning first

Match the word class

Recognise gradable opposites

Recognise complementary opposites

Watch relational and directional pairs

Separate synonyms from opposites

Use context for multiple senses

Treat prefix opposites carefully

Check register and collocation

Eliminate near opposites and related words

Use a final opposition test

Worked examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Example 8

Example 9

Example 10

Representative solved questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Common mistakes and useful habits

Sources and review notes

Ready to test your understanding?

Key formulas and rules

Key concepts

Find the target meaning first

Match the word class

Recognise gradable opposites

Recognise complementary opposites

Watch relational and directional pairs

Separate synonyms from opposites

Use context for multiple senses

Treat prefix opposites carefully

Check register and collocation

Eliminate near opposites and related words

Use a final opposition test

Worked examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Example 8

Example 9

Example 10

Representative solved questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Common mistakes and useful habits

Sources and review notes

Ready to test your understanding?

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