Antonyms for Class 9

What is an Antonym?

Antonyms refer to the words that directly conflict with one another. For example, antonyms for the word 'dainty' are unappetising, coarse, plain, etc. The word 'anti', stand for the opposite meaning and 'onym', stand for the 'name'. Thus, the meaning of the sentence contradicts if we replace a word with its antonyms.

Why are Antonyms Used?

1. Antonyms help provide clarity and precision in communication by offering the opposite meaning of a word, making it easier to convey intended messages.
2. Using antonyms can emphasise a point or contrast between two ideas, making the communication more impactful.
3. Antonyms are useful for drawing comparisons or highlighting differences between two things or concepts.
4. Learning antonyms helps individuals expand their vocabulary and language skills, making them more proficient communicators.

Examples of Antonyms

Difference Between Antonyms and Synonyms

Antonyms Vs Prefixes

1. Short syllables, usually between one and three letters, make up prefixes. They are added at the beginning of words to alter their meaning.
2. A word can sometimes be its own antonym if we add a prefix. For example, an antonym of the word 'approve' after adding the prefix 'dis-' will become disapprove.
3. Commonly used prefixes are:

1. Dis-

→ satisfied - dissatisfied
→ connected - disconnected
→ belief - disbelief
→ order - disorder
→ engage - disengage

2. In-

→ flexible - inflexible
→ tolerant - intolerant
→ active - inactive
→ dependent - independent
→ formal - informal

3. Non-

→ essential - nonessential
→ fiction - nonfiction
→ working - nonworking
→ existent - nonexistent
→ stop - nonstop

4. Mal-

→ nourished - malnourished
→ software - malware
→ treatment - maltreatment
→ practice - malpractice
→ content - malcontent

5. Un-

→ lucky - unlucky
→ safe - unsafe
→ reasonable - unreasonable
→ reliable - unreliable
→ skilled - unskilled

Common Mistakes With Antonyms

1. Some students may incorrectly or excessively use prefixes like 'un-' or 'dis-' when forming antonyms, even if the word doesn't take that specific prefix. This results in meaningless words.
2. Due to a lack of understanding, some students use antonyms wrongly in speech or writing.
3. Students frequently misspell antonyms. Learning more words with their spelling is essential.

FAQs

1. What are antonyms for class 9?

Answer: Words that have opposite meanings are said to be antonyms. For example, abstract-concrete, overt-covert, common-rare, etc.

2. What is the difference between synonyms and antonyms for class 9?

Answer: Words that have the same or similar meanings and can be used interchangeably without significantly changing the meaning of the sentence are called synonyms. Whereas, words with opposite meanings which cannot be used interchangeably as they can change the meaning of the sentence completely are called antonyms.

3. What are some examples of antonym pairs for class 9?

Answer: Some examples of antonym pairs for class 9 are:

1. arrive - depart
2. order - chaos
3. defend - attack
4. heal - injure
5. hope - despair