Types of Antonyms Flashcards

Study Notes

Types of Antonyms

Gradable Antonyms:
- Represent words at opposite ends of a continuous value scale.
- Examples include "good" vs. "bad," "expensive" vs. "cheap," and "beautiful" vs. "ugly."
Complementary/Binary Antonyms:
- Exist in pairs and cover all possible states without overlap.
- If one term is applicable, the other cannot be; for instance, "pass" vs. "fail" and "true" vs. "false."
Converse Terms/Relational Opposites:
- Describe reciprocal relationships, where each term reflects the relationship from an opposite perspective.
- Examples include "parent" and "offspring," "import" and "export," and "host" and "guest."
Multiple Incompatibles/Taxonomic Sisters:
- Consist of systems where meanings are oppositional but differ from previous categories.
- Terms within a system exhibit mutual incompatibility.
Definition of Incompatibility (Multiple Incompatibles):
- All terms in the system cannot coexist simultaneously; each has a distinct meaning.
Coverage of Relevant Area:
- Together, the terms in a system encompass all pertinent components of the category.
Example of Taxonomic Sisters:
- Days of the week can be seen as multiple incompatibles: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.
General Definition of Antonym:
- An antonym relates two words that differ in both form and meaning.

Description

Explore the different types of antonyms through these flashcards. Learn about gradable and complementary antonyms with illustrative examples. Perfect for building your vocabulary and understanding nuances in language.