Lesson: Antonyms - 04

Antonym: Unfamiliar Words

Don’t Give Up Just Because a Word Is Unfamiliar

Ask yourself whether an unfamiliar word resembles a familiar one in any way. Perhaps the two words have the same root. If so, the two words are likely to have related meanings.

Example

Explanation

The correct answer is (E). The headword FLAGRANT contains the root flag. You've probably used the phrase “flag down” to describe a disabled motorist’s signaling for help. It makes sense that the adjective form, FLAGRANT, means “obvious or conspicuous“— just what a stranded motorist is trying to be by flagging down passersby, and quite contrary to barely perceptible.

To Gain Insight, Try Starting with the Answer Choice

Working backwards from an answer choice to the headword may help you when you’re stuck on a question. Try to think of a single word (not a phrase) that expresses the opposite of the answer choice. Then ask yourself whether that word is also a good synonym of the headword. If it isn't, you can eliminate the answer choice. Let’s apply this technique to a style Antonym:

Example

Explanation

The correct answer is (B). The word UNSEEMLY means “improper or indecent.” We can easily rule out choices (C), (D), and (E), none of which are related to UNSEEMLY. We’re left with a difficult choice between (A) and (B). Choice (A) is tempting because we often think of a shy person as modest, a trait that is somewhat contrary to indecent (our synonym for UNSEEMLY). But what is the opposite of shy? It’s bold or outgoing, neither of which is a close antonym of UNSEEMLY. Apply the same technique to choice (B): the opposite of sacred is unholy or profane. Although profane is a much stronger word than UNSEEMLY, it is a better antonym than shy.

If you’re working backwards from an answer choice to the headword and you have trouble thinking of—or even imagining—a one-word Antonym for the answer choice (as opposed to a phrase), then it’s a good bet that you can eliminate that choice. In Question 3 on page 376, for example, can you imagine a word (not a phrase) that expresses the opposite of “a return to normality?” Probably not, which is a clue that choice (D) is a wrong answer.

If You’re Stuck, Try Converting a Word to Another Part of Speech

Many words are difficult to deal with mainly because their part of speech (noun, verb, or adjective) is not commonly used. Converting the word into a more familiar form can help. Here are some examples that have appeared previously on the :

Uncommon Form More Familiar Form

aphoristic (obvious) aphorism (proverb or cliché)

canonical (authorized) canon (rule)

congruity (unity) incongruous (incompatible)

dissive (winding or meandering) dission (deviation)

estimable (honorable) esteem (honor)

gleanable (gatherable or discoverable) glean (to gather or to discovery

through patient investigation)

improbity (dishonesty) probity (honesty)

obstinacy (stubbornness) obstinate (stubborn)

precursory (preceding) precursor (predecessor)

profundity (depth) profound (deep)

sagacity (wisdom) sage (a wise person)

teetotalism (abstinence) teetotaler (one who abstains form drinking)

testiness (irritability) testy (irritable)

zenithal (upright or vertical) zenith (highest point)

Now here’s a style Antonym that involves a familiar root:

Example

Explanation

The correct answer is (C). The headword PENDANCY is the noun form of the more familiar adjective (or verb) pending, which means “not yet final or finalized.” Recognizing the everyday word in its less familiar form here makes this Antonym easy to handle.

Watch Out for Synonyms

Don’t be surprised if in one or two of your Antonyms you find a synonym of the headword among the answer choices. And under exam pressure, it’s remarkably easy to confuse a synonym for an antonym. To avoid “synonym syndrome,” always verify your choice before moving to the next test question. (Remember step 4 in this chapter’s previous section?)

Example

Explanation

The correct answer is (B). GAUCHE means “lacking social graces; tactless,” so choice (E) provides a synonym, and choice (B) provides the best antonym. Though not a perfect description of what a gauche person is not, gentle in manner comes closest among the five choices.

Next to display next topic in the chapter.

Antonym questions test not only your vocabulary but also your ability to reason from a concept to its opposite. So while a solid vocabulary is the most important factor in success, a bit of logic comes into play as well. As always, we’ll get things started with an X-ray.