Exploring vocabulary - Muschla Gary R. 2012
An original name
Antonyms, II
An antonym is a word that has the opposite, or nearly opposite, meaning of another word.
1. humorous (adj): funny; amusing; comical
Antonyms: serious; grave; stern
We laughed through much of the humorous movie.
2. courageous (adj): brave; fearless
Antonyms: cowardly; fearful; timid
The courageous knight saved the princess.
3. interesting (adj): being able to hold one’s attention; engaging
Antonyms: boring; dull; uninteresting
I could not stop reading because the book was so interesting.
4. delightful (adj): enjoyable; pleasant; pleasing
Antonyms: unpleasant; distasteful
We had a delightful trip to the city and cannot wait to return.
5. destroy (v): to ruin; to wreck; to tear down
Antonyms: create; make; build
The incoming tide will destroy the sand castle.
6. gather (v): to bring together; to collect
Antonyms: separate; scatter
We had to gather materials for our project.
7. polite (adj): courteous; having good manners
Antonyms: rude; discourteous; fresh
Everyone at the meeting was friendly and polite.
8. agree (v): to consent; to accept
Antonyms: reject; deny; refuse; disagree
Jonathan and Thomas agree on a name for their puppy.
9. loyalty (n): devotion; faithfulness
Antonyms: disloyalty; treachery
The soldiers showed great loyalty to their commander.
10. nonsense (n): foolishness; silliness; something that does not make sense
Antonyms: sense; basics; logic
Uncle Bill believes that stories of beings from other planets are nonsense.
Vocabulary tip
Understanding the antonyms of words expands your vocabulary.
4.1 An original name
The Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan named the Pacific Ocean in 1520. What was the original meaning of the Pacific Ocean’s name?
To answer the question, complete each sentence with the correct word. Choose your answers from the words after each sentence. Write the letter of each answer in the space above its sentence number at the end of the exercise. You will need to divide the letters into words. One letter is provided.
1. The program about volcanoes was _____ and held everyone’s attention.
E. nonsense
I. polite
U. interesting
2. The new student was very _____ and showed good manners all day.
E. polite
S. courageous
M. rude
3. The _____ firefighters saved the woman from the burning building.
T. humorous
C. courageous
R. delightful
4. The tornado will _____ anything in its path.
A. destroy
E. avoid
S. gather
5. The audience applauded the students’ _____ performance at the winter concert.
D. disappointing
T. nonsense
F. delightful
6. Grandfather always told _____ stories that made us laugh.
N. chilling
S. humorous
P. courageous
7. Mrs. Taylor told her students to _____ their belongings before leaving for home.
E. gather
U. separate
I. accept
8. Mr. Green does not believe in dragons and says stories about them are _____.
T. serious
P. nonsense
S. real
9. The students of each group must _____ on a topic for their project.
H. collect
L. agree
M. discuss
10. George Washington’s _____ to the new country was clear to everyone.
A. loyalty
Y. nonsense
O. courageous