English Synonyms and Antonyms

<h3><SPAN name="SACRAMENT" id="SACRAMENT"></SPAN>SACRAMENT.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>ceremony,</td><td>eucharist,</td><td>observance,</td><td>rite,</td><td rowspan="2">solemnity.</td></tr> <tr><td>communion,</td><td>Lord's Supper,</td><td>ordinance,</td><td>service,</td></tr> </table> <p>Any religious act, especially a public act, viewed as a means<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_322" id="Page_322"></SPAN></span> of serving God is called a <i>service</i>; the word commonly includes the entire series of exercises of a single occasion of public worship. A religious <i>service</i> ordained as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace is called a <i>sacrament</i>. <i>Ceremony</i> is a form expressing reverence, or at least respect; we may speak of religious <i>ceremonies</i>, the <i>ceremonies</i> of polite society, the <i>ceremonies</i> of a coronation, an inauguration, etc. An <i>observance</i> has more than a formal obligation, reaching or approaching a religious sacredness; a stated religious <i>observance</i>, viewed as established by authority, is called an <i>ordinance</i>; viewed as an established custom, it is a <i>rite</i>. The terms <i>sacrament</i> and <i>ordinance</i>, in the religious sense, are often used interchangeably; the <i>ordinance</i> derives its sacredness from the authority that ordained it, while the <i>sacrament</i> possesses a sacredness due to something in itself, even when viewed simply as a representation or memorial. The Lord's Supper is the Scriptural name for the <i>observance</i> commemorating the death of Christ; the word <i>communion</i> is once applied to it (<i>1 Cor.</i> x, 16), but not as a distinctive name; at an early period, however, the name <i>communion</i> was so applied, as denoting the communing of Christians with their Lord, or with one another. The term <i>eucharist</i> describes the Lord's Supper as a thanksgiving <i>service</i>; it is also called by preeminence <i>the sacrament</i>, as the ratifying of a solemn vow of consecration to Christ.</p> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="SAGACIOUS" id="SAGACIOUS"></SPAN>SAGACIOUS.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>able,</td><td>intelligent,</td><td>perspicacious,</td><td>sensible,</td></tr> <tr><td>acute,</td><td>keen,</td><td>quick of scent,</td><td>sharp,</td></tr> <tr><td>apt,</td><td>keen-sighted,</td><td>quick-scented,</td><td>sharp-witted,</td></tr> <tr><td>clear-sighted,</td><td>keen-witted,</td><td>rational,</td><td>shrewd,</td></tr> <tr><td>discerning,</td><td>judicious,</td><td>sage,</td><td>wise.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Sagacious</i> refers to a power of tracing the hidden or recondite by slight indications, as by instinct or intuition; it is not now applied to mere keenness of sense-perception. We do not call a hound <i>sagacious</i> in following a clear trail; but if he loses the scent, as at the edge of a stream, and circles around till he strikes it again, his conduct is said to be <i>sagacious</i>. In human affairs <i>sagacious</i> refers to a power of ready, far-reaching, and accurate inference from observed facts perhaps in themselves very slight, that seems like a special sense; or to a similar readiness to foresee the results of any action, especially upon human motives or conduct&mdash;a kind of prophetic common sense. <i>Sagacious</i> is a broader<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_323" id="Page_323"></SPAN></span> and nobler word than <i>shrewd</i>, and not capable of the invidious sense which the latter word often bears; on the other hand, <i>sagacious</i> is less lofty and comprehensive than <i>wise</i> in its full sense, and more limited to matters of direct practical moment. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#ASTUTE">ASTUTE</SPAN></span>; <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#WISDOM">WISDOM</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>absurd,</td><td>foolish,</td><td>ignorant,</td><td>obtuse,</td><td>silly,</td><td>sottish,</td><td>undiscerning,</td></tr> <tr><td>dull,</td><td>futile,</td><td>irrational,</td><td>senseless,</td><td>simple,</td><td>stupid,</td><td>unintelligent.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="SALE" id="SALE"></SPAN>SALE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>bargain,</td><td>barter,</td><td>change,</td><td>deal,</td><td>exchange,</td><td>trade.</td></tr> </table> <p>A <i>bargain</i> is strictly an agreement or contract to buy and sell, tho the word is often used to denote the entire transaction and also as a designation for the thing sold or purchased. <i>Change</i> and <i>exchange</i> are words of wider signification, applying only incidentally to the transfer of property or value; a <i>change</i> secures something different in any way or by any means; an <i>exchange</i> secures something as an equivalent or return, tho not necessarily as payment for what is given. <i>Barter</i> is the <i>exchange</i> of one commodity for another, the word being used generally with reference to portable commodities. <i>Trade</i> in the broad sense may apply to vast businesses (as the book-<i>trade</i>), but as denoting a single transaction is used chiefly in regard to things of moderate value, when it becomes nearly synonymous with <i>barter</i>. <i>Sale</i> is commonly, and with increasing strictness, limited to the transfer of property for money, or for something estimated at a money value or considered as equivalent to so much money in hand or to be paid. A <i>deal</i> in the political sense is a <i>bargain</i>, substitution, or transfer for the benefit of certain persons or parties against all others; as, the nomination was the result of a <i>deal</i>; in business it may have a similar meaning, but it frequently signifies simply a <i>sale</i> or <i>exchange</i>, a dealing; as, a heavy <i>deal</i> in stocks.</p> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="SAMPLE" id="SAMPLE"></SPAN>SAMPLE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>case,</td><td>exemplification,</td><td>instance,</td></tr> <tr><td>example,</td><td>illustration,</td><td>specimen.</td></tr> </table> <p>A <i>sample</i> is a portion taken at random out of a quantity supposed to be homogeneous, so that the qualities found in the <i>sample</i> may reasonably be expected to be found in the whole; as, a <i>sample</i> of sugar; a <i>sample</i> of cloth. A <i>specimen</i> is one unit of a series,<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_324" id="Page_324"></SPAN></span> or a fragment of a mass, all of which is supposed to possess the same essential qualities; as, a <i>specimen</i> of coinage, or of architecture, or a <i>specimen</i> of quartz. No other unit or portion may be exactly like the <i>specimen</i>, while all the rest is supposed to be exactly like the <i>sample</i>. An <i>instance</i> is a <i>sample</i> or <i>specimen</i> of action. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#EXAMPLE">EXAMPLE</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>abnormality,</td><td>aggregate,</td><td>exception,</td><td>monstrosity,</td><td>total,</td><td>whole.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <h3>SATISFY.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>cloy,</td><td>fill,</td><td>sate,</td><td>suffice,</td></tr> <tr><td>content,</td><td>glut,</td><td>satiate,</td><td>surfeit.</td></tr> </table> <p>To <i>satisfy</i> is to furnish just enough to meet physical, mental, or spiritual desire. To <i>sate</i> or <i>satiate</i> is to gratify desire so fully as for a time to extinguish it. To <i>cloy</i> or <i>surfeit</i> is to gratify to the point of revulsion or disgust. <i>Glut</i> is a strong but somewhat coarse word applied to the utmost satisfaction of vehement appetites and passions; as, to <i>glut</i> a vengeful spirit with slaughter; we speak of <i>glutting</i> the market with a supply so excessive as to extinguish the demand. Much less than is needed to <i>satisfy</i> may <i>suffice</i> a frugal or abstemious person; less than a sufficiency may <i>content</i> one of a patient and submissive spirit. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#PAY_n">PAY</SPAN></span>; <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#REQUITE">REQUITE</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>check,</td><td>disappoint,</td><td>restrain,</td><td>starve,</td><td>straiten,</td></tr> <tr><td>deny,</td><td>refuse,</td><td>restrict,</td><td>stint,</td><td>tantalize.</td></tr> </table> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>Satisfy <i>with</i> food, <i>with</i> gifts, etc.; satisfy one (in the sense of make satisfaction) <i>for</i> labors and sacrifices; satisfy oneself <i>by</i> or <i>upon</i> inquiry.</p> <hr /> <h3>SCHOLAR.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>disciple,</td><td>learner,</td><td>pupil,</td><td>savant,</td><td>student.</td></tr> </table> <p>The primary sense of a <i>scholar</i> is one who is being schooled; thence the word passes to denote one who is apt in school work, and finally one who is thoroughly schooled, master of what the schools can teach, an erudite, accomplished person: when used without qualification, the word is generally understood in this latter sense; as, he is manifestly a <i>scholar</i>. <i>Pupil</i> signifies one under the close personal supervision or instruction of a teacher or tutor. Those under instruction in schools below the academic<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_325" id="Page_325"></SPAN></span> grade are technically and officially termed <i>pupils</i>. The word <i>pupil</i> is uniformly so used in the Reports of the Commissioner of Education of the United States, but popular American usage prefers <i>scholar</i> in the original sense; as, teachers and <i>scholars</i> enjoyed a holiday. Those under instruction in Sunday-schools are uniformly designated as Sunday-school <i>scholars</i>. <i>Student</i> is applied to those in the higher grades or courses of study, as the academic, collegiate, scientific, etc. <i>Student</i> suggests less proficiency than <i>scholar</i> in the highest sense, the <i>student</i> being one who is learning, the <i>scholar</i> one who has learned. On the other hand, <i>student</i> suggests less of personal supervision than <i>pupil</i>; thus, the college <i>student</i> often becomes the private <i>pupil</i> of some instructor in special studies. For <i>disciple</i>, etc., compare synonyms for <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#ADHERENT">ADHERENT</SPAN></span>.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>dunce,</td><td>fool,</td><td>idiot,</td><td>idler,</td><td>ignoramus,</td><td>illiterate person.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <h3><SPAN name="SCIENCE" id="SCIENCE"></SPAN>SCIENCE.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>art,</td><td>knowledge.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Knowledge</i> of a single fact, not known as related to any other, or of many facts not known as having any mutual relations or as comprehended under any general law, does not reach the meaning of <i>science</i>; <i>science</i> is <i>knowledge</i> reduced to law and embodied in system. The <i>knowledge</i> of various countries gathered by an observant traveler may be a heterogeneous medley of facts, which gain real value only when coordinated and arranged by the man of <i>science</i>. <i>Art</i> always relates to something to be done, <i>science</i> to something to be known. Not only must <i>art</i> be discriminated from <i>science</i>, but <i>art</i> in the industrial or mechanical sense must be distinguished from <i>art</i> in the esthetic sense; the former aims chiefly at utility, the latter at beauty. The mechanic <i>arts</i> are the province of the artisan, the esthetic or fine <i>arts</i> are the province of the artist; all the industrial <i>arts</i>, as of weaving or printing, arithmetic or navigation, are governed by exact rules. <i>Art</i> in the highest esthetic sense, while it makes use of rules, transcends all rule; no rules can be given for the production of a painting like Raffael's "Transfiguration," a statue like the Apollo Belvedere, or a poem like the Iliad. <i>Science</i> does not, like the mechanic <i>arts</i>, make production its direct aim, yet its possible productive application in the <i>arts</i> is a constant stimulus to scientific<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_326" id="Page_326"></SPAN></span> investigation; the <i>science</i>, as in the case of chemistry or electricity, is urged on to higher development by the demands of the <i>art</i>, while the <i>art</i> is perfected by the advance of the <i>science</i>. Creative <i>art</i> seeking beauty for its own sake is closely akin to pure <i>science</i> seeking <i>knowledge</i> for its own sake. Compare <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#KNOWLEDGE">KNOWLEDGE</SPAN></span>; <span class="smcl"><SPAN href="#LITERATURE">LITERATURE</SPAN></span>.</p> <hr /> <h3>SECURITY.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>bail,</td><td>earnest,</td><td>gage,</td><td>pledge,</td><td>surety.</td></tr> </table> <p>The first four words agree in denoting something given or deposited as an assurance of something to be given, paid, or done. An <i>earnest</i> is of the same kind as that to be given, a portion of it delivered in advance, as when part of the purchase-money is paid, according to the common expression, "to bind the bargain." A <i>pledge</i> or <i>security</i> may be wholly different in kind from that to be given or paid, and may greatly exceed it in value. <i>Security</i> may be of real or personal property&mdash;anything of sufficient value to make the creditor secure; a <i>pledge</i> is always of personal property or chattels. Every pawnshop contains unredeemed <i>pledges</i>; land, merchandise, bonds, etc., are frequently offered and accepted as <i>security</i>. A person may become <i>security</i> or <i>surety</i> for another's payment of a debt, appearance in court, etc.; in the latter case, he is said to become <i>bail</i> for that person; the person accused gives <i>bail</i> for himself. <i>Gage</i> survives only as a literary word, chiefly in certain phrases; as, "the <i>gage</i> of battle."</p> <h4>Prepositions:</h4> <p>Security <i>for</i> the payment of a debt; security <i>to</i> the state, <i>for</i> the prisoner, <i>in</i> the sum of a thousand dollars.</p> <hr /> <h3>SELF-ABNEGATION.</h3> <h4>Synonyms:</h4> <table class="tbs" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>self-control,</td><td>self-devotion,</td><td>self-renunciation,</td></tr> <tr><td>self-denial,</td><td>self-immolation,</td><td>self-sacrifice.</td></tr> </table> <p><i>Self-control</i> is holding oneself within due limits in pleasures and duties, as in all things else; <i>self-denial</i>, the giving up of pleasures for the sake of duty. <i>Self-renunciation</i> surrenders conscious rights and claims; <i>self-abnegation</i> forgets that there is anything to surrender. There have been devotees who practised very little <i>self-denial</i> with very much <i>self-renunciation</i>. A mother will care for a sick child with complete <i>self-abnegation</i>, but without a thought of <i>self-denial</i>. <i>Self-devotion</i> is heart-consecration<span class="pgn"><SPAN name="Page_327" id="Page_327"></SPAN></span> of self to a person or cause with readiness for any needed sacrifice. <i>Self-sacrifice</i> is the strongest and completest term of all, and contemplates the gift of self as actually made. We speak of the <i>self-sacrifice</i> of Christ, where any other of the above terms would be feeble or inappropriate.</p> <h4>Antonyms:</h4> <table class="tba" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td>self-gratification,</td><td>self-indulgence,</td><td>selfishness,</td><td>self-seeking,</td><td>self-will.</td></tr> </table> <hr /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />