Print Antonym Worksheets
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Identification Worksheet
Read each sentence below. Find the antonym for each underlined word. Write it on the line.
Change the Meanings
Change the meaning of each sentence by replacing the underlined word with an antonym.
Bold Sentence Words
Rewrite each sentence, replacing the bolded word with an antonym. Does this change the nature of the sentence?
Adjective and Antonyms
Read each sentence. Underline the adjective. On the line after each sentence, write the sentence that comes next, using an adjective from the word box that is the antonym of the adjective in the first sentence.
Always Opposites
Write the opposite of each word. This is a two part activity that will help you best understand this overall concept.
Did Somebody Say Ant?
Write an antonym for each word below. Then from each pair of words, choose the one that has the most positive connotation to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
Sentence Interpretations
Complete the second sentence in each set by filling in an antonym to the bolded word in the first sentence.
An Assortment of Opposites
Complete the sentences in each set by filling in antonyms to the underlined word in the first sentence. Use everything that is given to you.
Creating Mixed Meanings with Prefixes
Add a prefix that means "not" to each underlined word to create its antonym. This will change the overall effect of the term.
Sentence Word Switches
Choose an antonym from the bank for each underlined word. Then rewrite each sentence. replacing the underlined word with your antonym.
Recognition
Take your time to determine which of the terms should best be used in each of the sentences. Note: Not all words in the box will be used.
Replacements
Write the antonym for each underlined word on the line. You do not have to use the words that are given. You get extra credit for coming up with your own.
Identifying Antonyms
Find the antonym for each word in parentheses and use it to complete the sentence.
Conveying Meaning
Find an antonym in the box and use it to compose a sentence that has the same meaning as the given sentence.
The Bank
Change the message of these sentences completely by using the terms found in the box to replace keywords.
Backwards Only
Match each word with that of its antonym. You are going to have a whole bunch of double sided arrows floating around.
Instructors can use these pages to give their students practice with antonyms. Activities include filling in blanks or matching words using antonyms from a word bank, using prefixes to build antonyms out of root words, rewriting sentences to change their meaning into the opposite, and more. Context is very important when working with these guys, because the opposite of "cool" can be "warm" if you're talking about the weather, or "square" if you're talking about a person. Fun Fact: Words whose different definitions are antonyms, such as cleave (to hold together or split apart) and sanction (to boycott or approve), are called "contronyms."
What are Antonyms? Why are They Important?
An antonym is a literary term with an opposite meaning to another word. To classify an antonym, it is important to first understand the definition of antonyms.
The word "antonym" takes its origin from the Greek word ἀντί (antí), meaning "opposite," "against," or "contrary." A simple example of these contrary terms is the word "hot" and its antonym, "cold." Other examples of these opposites are "long" and "short," "fast" and "slow," or "hard" and "easy."
Antonyms are often confused with other words, such as synonyms and homophones. Synonyms have similar meanings, but antonyms can only refer to two opposite meanings. Homophones, on the other hand, are words that have similar sounds but different meanings or spellings.
The Different Types
There are three common types of antonyms: complementary, gradable, and relational.
Gradable
Gradable antonyms are words that can be compared on a scale. For example, the words "big" and "small" are gradable because they can be used to describe different levels of size. The words "fast" and "slow" are another example of a gradable antonym.
Complementary
Complementary antonyms are words that are not related on a scale but rather have opposite meanings. For e.g., the words "up" and "down" are complementary because they describe opposites positions in space: up is in the direction of the sky or above, while down is in the ground or below.
Relational
Relational antonyms are words that have opposite meanings but only in certain contexts. For example, the words "son" and "daughter" are relational because they describe different roles in the family. But in other contexts, such as when referring to a person's siblings, the words "son" and "daughter" can have the same meaning.
Another example is the word 'cold,' which is an antonym of the word 'warm.'
What Are Their Use?
One common use of antonyms is in language learning. A student who is still learning a particular language may find it difficult to remember the meaning of a particular word. However, if they can remember the polar opposite form of that word, it will often be easier to recall the original meaning.
Contrastive Analysis
Antonyms can be used as a form of contrastive analysis. This is where two different things are compared to highlight their similarities and differences. For example, if we wanted to compare the two cities of London and Paris, we might use a number of different terms to do so.
We might say that London is big and Paris is small, or that London is busy and Paris is relaxed. By using antonyms, we can get a clearer picture of the two places.
However, it is important to remember that antonyms only describe similarities or differences between two concepts rather than describing the concept itself. For example, if we say that London is big, we are describing the city of London itself. In contrast, if we say that Paris is small, we simply describe a difference between the two cities. This means that antonyms should always be used with care and precision!
Why Are They Important?
- They help clarify the meaning of words. When two words have opposite meanings, it can be difficult to determine which word is appropriate in a particular context.
- They can help to improve your vocabulary. By learning the opposites of common words, you can expand your range of expression and better communicate with others.
- They can also make your writing more interesting and nuanced. Using various words can help avoid repetition and make your writing more engaging.
Ending Note
Antonyms are important in language because they add depth to our vocabulary and help us express our ideas more precisely. By learning the different types of these terms and how they are used, we can significantly improve our ability to communicate effectively with others.