Words
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10 matching synonym questions
Etymology: [etymon (Greek) "true meaning" + lógos (Greek) "word"]
the study of the origins of words, especially by analyzing their use in other languages; a branch of linguistics devoted to the study of word origins
Lucy has spent six years compiling an etymology of American slang words.
Synonyms: foundation, basis, beginning, origin
Spanish: etimología
Etymology: [syn (Greek) "together, same" + onyma (Greek) "name"]
words that are alike in meaning
"A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of." — Burt Bacharach
Synonyms: the same as, equivalent
Etymology: [anti (Greek) "opposite, instead of" + onyma (Greek) "name"]
words that are opposite in meaning
The words hot and cold are antonyms. So are the words up and down.
Synonyms: opposite, different, contradictory
Etymology: [chagrin (French), "grief"]
irritation that is caused by disappointment
Much to the chagrin of his father, who is against the war, James is planning to enlist in the army.
Synonyms: mortification, vexation, disappointment, annoyance
Antonyms: delight, pleasure, jubilation
Spanish: disgusto, desilusión - (to my chagrin - para mi disgusto)
Etymology: [merces (Latin), "wages," "reward"]
influenced by, or acting only for, profit or reward
A person with mercenary motives seldom goes into the teaching profession.
Synonyms: greedy, selfish, venal
Antonyms: altruistic, unselfish
Spanish: mercenario
NOTE: As a noun, mercenary refers to a soldier who is hired and paid by a foreign government.
Etymology: [vicisitudo (Latin), "a change"]
the quality or state of being subject to change
Peter's book looks back on the career of Senator Paul Sanders, whose life mirrors the vicissitudes of the Democratic Party.
Synonyms: mutation, alternation, ups and downs
Spanish: vicisitud
Etymology: [pro (Latin), "forward" + trahere, tractus, "draw"]
to lengthen in time or draw out
The court case turned out to be an expensive and protracted process.
Synonyms: prolong, extend
Spanish: prolongar
Etymology: [incipere (Latin), "to begin"; from in, "upon" + capere, "to take, seize"]
beginning
The inception of the illness is indicated by a high fever.
Synonyms: initiation, commencement, introduction
Antonyms: close, conclusion
Spanish: inicio, comienzo, principio
Etymology: [mercans, mercantis (Latin), "trading"; from merx, "wares"]
pertaining to trade or traders
In ancient times, Phoenicia was a great mercantile nation.
Synonyms: commercial
Spanish: mercantil
Etymology: [alleggen (Middle English), "to produce as evidence"; related to ex (Latin), "out" + litigare, "to dispute"]
to assert positively but without proof
Some scientists allege that time travel is possible.
John's statement was merely an allegation, not positive proof.
Synonyms: assert, affirm, declare, utter
Antonyms: gainsay, deny, refute, rebut
Spanish: alegar - (to declare), pretender, sostener - (to assert)
NOTE: The following words are related to allegation:
allude (not to be confused with illusion, "a visual deception") — to refer to indirectly; to hint
The candidate alluded to scandals involving his opponent.
aver — to declare positively to be true
The man averred that he had witnessed the crime.
asseverate — to declare solemnly and firmly
avouch — to state or assert that something is true
avow (noun form: avowal) — to confess or declare openly
He avowed his mistake.