Antonyms questions with answers and concepts

Learn antonyms with concept notes and worked examples, then practise focused questions with explained answers. Build accuracy for placement and competitive aptitude tests before trying timed mode.

120 practice questionsPage updated 24 Sept 2026Reviewed by AISEA Editorial DeskPractice questions

Practise this concept

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

5 rules

Antonym Formal Definition: $B = Antonym (A) ⟺ PartOfSpeech (A) = PartOfSpeech (B) \land Polarity (A) = - Polarity (B)$

Gradable Opposites (Continuous Scale): $A B$ on a continuous spectrum without binary exclusion (e.g., $Hot \leftrightarrow Warm \leftrightarrow Cool \leftrightarrow Cold$ )

Complementary Opposites (Binary Complement): $A \cup B = U \land A \cap B = \emptyset$ (e.g., $Alive \leftrightarrow Dead$ , $Present \leftrightarrow Absent$ )

Relational / Converse Opposites: $x R y ⟺ y R^{- 1} x$ (e.g., $Doctor \leftrightarrow Patient$ , $Lend \leftrightarrow Borrow$ , $Parent \leftrightarrow Child$ )

Substitution Invariance Test: Replacing $A$ with $B$ in a positive assertion reverses the truth value or semantic direction of the sentence

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.

Recognise complementary opposites

Complementary opposites divide a relevant category into incompatible states, such as transparent and opaque or present and absent. They are not merely different. If an item can be partly both, look for a more precise contrast rather than assuming that any unlike word is an antonym.

Watch relational and directional pairs

Some opposites reverse a relationship or direction: ascend and descend, lend and borrow, buy and sell, or above and below. The same people or objects may appear in both words, but their roles or directions switch. Check the sentence frame before choosing a relational opposite.

Separate synonyms from opposites

Options often include words that repeat the target meaning. For candid, open, frank and honest are synonyms, while guarded changes the meaning toward reserved communication. For venerate, respect, revere and honour agree with the target, while despise reverses the attitude.

Use context for multiple senses

A word may have more than one sense, and each sense can have a different contrast. Coarse may refer to rough texture or an unrefined manner; candid may describe openness or directness. Put the target and each option into a short sentence, then choose the opposite of the sense the question intends.

Treat prefix opposites carefully

Prefixes such as un-, im-, in-, ir- and dis- can form opposites, as in visible and invisible or regular and irregular. But not every word with a negative-looking prefix is the exact antonym, and many opposites use a different root, such as innate and acquired. Confirm the dictionary meaning and word class.

Check register and collocation

The answer should work naturally in the target's context and level of formality. Parsimonious and generous express a sharper contrast than parsimonious and frugal, because frugal is a synonym. A word can be broadly opposite but still be a poor answer if it changes the sense, register or grammatical use.

Eliminate near opposites and related words

A related word may differ without being an antonym. Translucent is not the clearest opposite of opaque because it allows some light through, whereas transparent allows objects to be seen through. Similarly, a word that is merely less intense or associated with the target should be rejected when a direct opposite is available.

Use a final opposition test

After selecting a candidate, state both meanings in one sentence: target means X, candidate means the opposite of X in this context. Check the word class, sense, polarity and degree. If the pair can comfortably describe the same situation, it is probably a near opposite or a related word rather than the best answer.

Check the idea while it is fresh.Open a focused exercise without losing this article.Practise this concept

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.

Representative solved questions

See the kind of question in this topic before opening the full practice set.

Question 1

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'brevity'.

terseness
conciseness
verbosity
shortness

Answer: C. verbosity

Explanation

Brevity means concise and exact use of words.
Verbosity means using more words than needed.
Therefore, verbosity is the opposite of brevity.

Sources and review notes

This is an AISEA-authored practice question.

Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening

Question 2

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'candid' (second sense).

honest
frank
sincere
deceptive

Answer: D. deceptive

Explanation

Candid means truthful and straightforward.
Deceptive means misleading or dishonest.
Therefore, deceptive is the opposite of candid.

Sources and review notes

This is an AISEA-authored practice question.

Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening

Question 3

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'capricious'.

constant
fickle
unpredictable
volatile

Answer: A. constant

Explanation

Capricious means given to sudden changes of mood.
Constant means occurring continuously over time.
Therefore, constant is the opposite of capricious.

Sources and review notes

This is an AISEA-authored practice question.

Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening

Common mistakes and useful habits

Define the target word in plain language before examining the options.
Match the target's part of speech and grammatical role.
Cross out synonyms first, then test the remaining candidates for a direct contrast.
Use a short sentence to resolve words with multiple senses or ambiguous strength.
Distinguish complementary, gradable, relational and directional opposites.
Do not assume a negative prefix creates the exact antonym; verify the root meaning.
Prefer the candidate with the closest opposite sense, register and degree.
Check that the target and answer cannot naturally describe the same situation.

Sources and review notes

Reviewed by AISEA Editorial Desk on 2 Sep 2026.

The page was written against the Antonyms question bank and covers its benevolent, brisk, candid, dearth, innate, opaque, relinquish, parsimonious, brevity and condone patterns.
Worked examples were checked for target sense, part of speech, opposition type, degree, context and synonym or near-opposite distractors.
The page distinguishes direct antonyms from related words, partial contrasts and words that are opposite only in another sense.

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

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Next topic: One Word Substitution

Antonyms questions with answers and concepts

Learn antonyms with concept notes and worked examples, then practise focused questions with explained answers. Build accuracy for placement and competitive aptitude tests before trying timed mode.

120 practice questionsPage updated 24 Sept 2026Reviewed by AISEA Editorial DeskPractice questions

Practise this concept

Key formulas and rules

5 rules

Antonym Formal Definition: $B = Antonym (A) ⟺ PartOfSpeech (A) = PartOfSpeech (B) \land Polarity (A) = - Polarity (B)$

Gradable Opposites (Continuous Scale): $A B$ on a continuous spectrum without binary exclusion (e.g., $Hot \leftrightarrow Warm \leftrightarrow Cool \leftrightarrow Cold$ )

Complementary Opposites (Binary Complement): $A \cup B = U \land A \cap B = \emptyset$ (e.g., $Alive \leftrightarrow Dead$ , $Present \leftrightarrow Absent$ )

Relational / Converse Opposites: $x R y ⟺ y R^{- 1} x$ (e.g., $Doctor \leftrightarrow Patient$ , $Lend \leftrightarrow Borrow$ , $Parent \leftrightarrow Child$ )

Substitution Invariance Test: Replacing $A$ with $B$ in a positive assertion reverses the truth value or semantic direction of the sentence

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

Check the idea while it is fresh.Open a focused exercise without losing this article.Practise this concept

Worked examples

Example 1

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

Solution

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

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

Example 6

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

Solution

Example 7

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

Solution

Example 8

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

Solution

Example 9

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

Solution

Example 10

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

Solution

Representative solved questions

See the kind of question in this topic before opening the full practice set.

Question 1

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'brevity'.

terseness
conciseness
verbosity
shortness

Answer: C. verbosity

Explanation

Brevity means concise and exact use of words.
Verbosity means using more words than needed.
Therefore, verbosity is the opposite of brevity.

Sources and review notes

This is an AISEA-authored practice question.

Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening

Question 2

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'candid' (second sense).

honest
frank
sincere
deceptive

Answer: D. deceptive

Explanation

Candid means truthful and straightforward.
Deceptive means misleading or dishonest.
Therefore, deceptive is the opposite of candid.

Sources and review notes

This is an AISEA-authored practice question.

Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening

Question 3

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'capricious'.

constant
fickle
unpredictable
volatile

Answer: A. constant

Explanation

Capricious means given to sudden changes of mood.
Constant means occurring continuously over time.
Therefore, constant is the opposite of capricious.

Sources and review notes

This is an AISEA-authored practice question.

Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening

Common mistakes and useful habits

Define the target word in plain language before examining the options.
Match the target's part of speech and grammatical role.
Cross out synonyms first, then test the remaining candidates for a direct contrast.
Use a short sentence to resolve words with multiple senses or ambiguous strength.
Distinguish complementary, gradable, relational and directional opposites.
Do not assume a negative prefix creates the exact antonym; verify the root meaning.
Prefer the candidate with the closest opposite sense, register and degree.
Check that the target and answer cannot naturally describe the same situation.

Sources and review notes

Reviewed by AISEA Editorial Desk on 2 Sep 2026.

The page was written against the Antonyms question bank and covers its benevolent, brisk, candid, dearth, innate, opaque, relinquish, parsimonious, brevity and condone patterns.
Worked examples were checked for target sense, part of speech, opposition type, degree, context and synonym or near-opposite distractors.
The page distinguishes direct antonyms from related words, partial contrasts and words that are opposite only in another sense.

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

Ready to test your understanding?

Work through 120 questions with explanations after each answer.

Start practice

Next topic: One Word Substitution

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

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

Solution

Example 2

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Example 3

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Example 4

Solution

Example 5

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Example 6

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Example 7

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Example 8

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Example 9

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Example 10

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Representative solved questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Common mistakes and useful habits

Sources and review notes

Ready to test your understanding?

Keep building the same skill family.

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

Solution

Example 2

Solution

Example 3

Solution

Example 4

Solution

Example 5

Solution

Example 6

Solution

Example 7

Solution

Example 8

Solution

Example 9

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Example 10

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Representative solved questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3