HSPT: Antonyms: define the word, then flip it
Learn to build an exact opposite from a word's meaning, use prefixes and charge to find it, and avoid the synonym trap that catches students on antonym questions.
How do you find the opposite when the choices include words that look close?
Short answer
Define the word in a few plain words, then flip that definition. The answer means the reverse of the same idea. A word that is only different, or that means the same, is a trap.
Know first: Everyday word meanings, Common prefixes such as un-, in- and dis-
Step 1 of 5
An opposite reverses the same idea
An antonym question asks for the word most nearly opposite in meaning. That means the reverse of the same idea. The opposite of noisy is quiet, because both are about sound. Purple is different from noisy, but it isn't the opposite.
Antonym questions often include a synonym among the choices. A choice that means the same as the word is the most common trap, because it's the word your brain connects first.
| Kind of flip | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix flip | Add or remove a not prefix. | visible and invisible, honest and dishonest |
| Direction flip | The prefix shows a direction. | ascend (go up) and descend (go down) |
| Charge flip | Swap a positive word for a negative one about the same thing. | praise and criticize |
| Scale flip | Go to the far end of the same scale. | timid and bold |
Step 2 of 5
Flip the meaning, not the look
Worked example: Most nearly opposite to *vacant*
Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to vacant.
- Aempty
- Bspacious
- Coccupied
- Dquiet
- 1
Define it
Vacant means empty, with no one using it: a vacant seat.
- 2
Flip it
The reverse is filled or in use.
- 3
Match and explain the rest
Occupied means in use, so it matches. Empty is a synonym, the classic trap. Spacious and quiet could fit a room that might be vacant, but neither is its reverse.
Answer
occupied. It reverses the meaning of vacant on the same idea: whether something is being used.
Wrong: The opposite of ascend is climb.
Right: The opposite of ascend is descend.
Climb means the same as ascend. On an antonym question, a synonym is always wrong.
Step 3 of 5
Try it yourself
Check yourself · Question 1
Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to humble.
Answer: D
Humble means not proud of yourself. The reverse is arrogant, which means proud and acting superior.
Trap answer: modest
Synonym in an antonym question
- Why it looks right
- Modest is the first word that comes to mind for humble, so it feels right.
- Why it's wrong
- The question asks for the opposite. Modest means nearly the same thing.
- The right answer
- arrogant, the reverse of not being proud.
Check yourself · Question 2
Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to dwindle.
Answer: C
To dwindle is to become gradually smaller. The reverse is grow.
Check yourself · Question 3
Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to lenient.
Answer: B
A lenient coach lets rules slide and gives light punishments. The reverse is strict, which means firm about rules.
Common mistake
Choosing a word that is only different from the given word.
- Why it's tempting
- A choice like noisy for drowsy clearly doesn't mean the same thing, so it can feel like an opposite.
- Do this instead
- An opposite must be about the same idea. Flip your definition first, then look for a choice that matches the flip.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- Define the word, flip the definition, then match the flip.
- A synonym in an antonym question is always a trap.
- The opposite reverses the same idea. A word that is merely different doesn't count.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
In your own words
What was your flipped definition for the word in the practice question? Which choice was the synonym trap?