Privatization and nationalization are two words that have opposite meanings, which makes them antonyms. We will examine the different definitions of privatization and nationalization, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Privatization is the process by which a government-owned business or a publicly-owned business is transferred into private ownership. The idea may be that privatization leads to a more efficient institution, or privatization may occur … [Read more...]
Impecunious and pecunious
Impecunious and pecunious may be used as antonyms, though with a twist. Antonyms are two or more words that have opposing meanings. We will examine the definitions of impecunious and pecunious, where these two words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Impecunious describes someone who does not have money, someone who is of meager means and is not well off. Someone who is impecunious may be considered penniless. The word impecunious is derived from the prefix im- meaning … [Read more...]
Probity vs improbity
Probity and improbity are antonyms. Antonyms are two or more words that have opposing meanings. We will examine the definitions of probity and improbity, where these terms came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Probity means having strong moral principles, being honest and full of integrity. To have probity means one is trustworthy and of a high moral character. The word probity is derived from the Latin word probitas which means honesty and uprightness. Improbity means … [Read more...]
Discord vs accord
Discord and accord are antonyms. Antonyms are two or more words that have opposite meanings. We will examine the definitions of the words discord and accord, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Discord is a lack of harmony between two or more people or two or more things, disagreement, conflict, the clashing of the ideas or opinions of two or more people. Discord is a noun, the adjective form is discordant. The word discord is derived from the Latin word … [Read more...]
Indefatigable and defatigable
Indefatigable is a word that is often found confusing, as well as its rarely-used antonym, defatigable. Antonyms are two or more words that have opposite meanings. We will examine the definitions of indefatigable and defatigable, where these terms came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Indefatigable describes someone who is untiring, someone energetic and relentless. Someone who is indefatigable can not be deterred. Indefatigable is an adjective, related words are … [Read more...]
Placebo vs nocebo
Placebo and nocebo are two words that are antonyms. Antonyms are words that have opposing meanings. We will examine the definitions of the words placebo and nocebo, where these terms came from and some examples of their use in sentences. A placebo is a procedure or medicine that works to heal a patient due to a psychological effect, not a physiological effect. A placebo works because a patient believes it will work, not because of any chemical or biological reaction stemming from the … [Read more...]
Persuade vs dissuade
Persuade and dissuade are antonyms, which are words that have opposing meanings. They are complementary antonyms, which are contradictory words. We will examine the definitions of persuade and dissuade, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Persuade means to talk someone into doing or believing something, to convince someone to believe or do something through reason or inducement. Persuade is a verb, related words are persuades, persuaded, persuading, the … [Read more...]
Antonyms
Antonyms are two or more words that have opposing meanings. We will look at the different types of antonyms, where the word antonym came from, a few examples of antonyms and some examples of the word antonym used in sentences. There are three types of antonyms. Graded antonyms are pairs of words with opposite meanings which are on a continuous spectrum. Some examples of graded antonyms are hard and soft, best and worst, wet and dry. Complementary antonyms are contradictory, something is … [Read more...]
Gravity vs levity
Gravity and levity are antonyms. Antonyms are are words that have meanings that are opposite to each other. We will examine the definitions of the words gravity and levity, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Gravity is the force that causes things to drop to the ground, the force that attracts something toward the earth's center. However, gravity may also mean something serious, something extremely important or solemn. It is this definition that is the … [Read more...]