the antonym of

USAGE SUMMARY

"the antonym of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that can be used to describe the word that has the opposite meaning of another word. For example, "The antonym of kind is unkind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The antonym of doppelgänger".

The New Yorker

What is the antonym of "bubble"?

The New Yorker

Stiller understands that he will never be Cary Grant — that he is the antonym of suave.

The New Yorker

The antonym of God's non-existent antonym is closer to God than God will ever be.

The Guardian - Books

Thus, regulation is not necessarily the antonym of free markets or liberalization (relaxation of government controls).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The antonym of doppelganger.' HL: One of the hauntings here is the haunting of Exit Ghost by The Ghost Writer.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Dictionaries can also sometimes give the synonyms (words that mean the same thing as your word) and the antonyms of a word (words that mean the opposite of your word).

WikiHow

It might be misleading to call such properties 'concrete' (the standard antonym of the slippery word 'abstract'), but it isn't quite right to call them 'abstract' either.

SEP

Comfort: something that has now become the very antonym of luxury.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seems possible that "grave" is not simply a noun, the easy antonym of "cradle", but does service as an adjective, whilst "right" becomes a noun: "grave right" or even, to stretch a pun, "grave rite".

The Guardian - Books

The Japanese antonym of "muda" can be translated as "usefulness", which may assist in more adequately identifying the meaning of the Japanese term: anything in a work process that adds cost or time without adding value can be regarded as "muda".

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking a precise opposite, use a thesaurus to confirm that the suggested antonym accurately reflects the intended contrast.

Common error

Not all words have a perfect antonym. Consider the context and whether a near-antonym or contrasting term might be more appropriate than forcing a direct opposite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the antonym of" functions as a modifier within a sentence, specifically to identify or introduce a word that carries the opposite meaning to a given term. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the antonym of" serves as a grammatically correct and understandable means of identifying opposite meanings of words. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency leans toward uncommon, appearing predominantly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider the nuance and specificity of the antonym, as not all words have direct opposites. Be aware of similar options and always check if the antonym is expressing the meaning you are looking for. Some alternatives, while meaning approximately the same, could express subtle nuances. Source quality scores highlight the usage of this phrase within authoritative publications such as The New Yorker and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite of

Directly indicates the contrary or reverse meaning.

reverse of

Highlights the inverted or contrary nature.

contrary to

Emphasizes a relationship of opposition or contradiction.

antithesis of

Suggests a direct and clear opposition.

inverse of

Implies a mathematical or logical reversal.

contradictory of

Highlights the conflicting nature.

the other side of the coin

Expresses a contrasting perspective.

polar opposite of

Stresses a complete and extreme contrast.

conflicting with

Focuses on the incompatibility of the terms.

negation of

Indicates a reversal or denial of meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "the antonym of" in a sentence?

You can use "the antonym of" to clearly identify the word with the opposite meaning. For example, "The antonym of 'generous' is 'stingy'". You can also use alternatives like "opposite of" or "reverse of".

What's the difference between "the antonym of" and "opposite of"?

"The antonym of" is a more formal and precise way to refer to a word with the opposite meaning. "Opposite of" is more general and can refer to concepts or ideas, not just words.

Which is correct, "the antonym of" or "an antonym for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. However, "the antonym of" is used when you are specifically referring to the opposite of a particular word, while "an antonym for" is used when you are looking for any antonym. For example, "What is "an antonym for" 'good'?" vs. "What is "the antonym of" 'good'?"

What can I say instead of "the antonym of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reverse of", "contrary to", or "antithesis of" to express a similar meaning.