English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 16

ANSWER.

Synonyms:

rejoinder, repartee, reply, response, retort.

A verbal _answer_ is a return of words to something that seems to call for them, and is made to a charge as well as to a question; an _answer_ may be even made to an unspoken implication or manifestation; see _Luke_ v, 22. In a wider sense, anything said or done in return for some word, action, or suggestion of another may be called an _answer_. The blow of an enraged man, the whinny of a horse, the howling of the wind, the movement of a bolt in a lock, an echo, etc., may each be an _answer_ to some word or movement. A _reply_ is an unfolding, and ordinarily implies thought and intelligence. A _rejoinder_ is strictly an _answer_ to a _reply_, tho often used in the general sense of _answer_, but always with the implication of something more or less controversial or opposed, tho lacking the conclusiveness implied in _answer_; an _answer_, in the full sense, to a charge, an argument, or an objection is adequate, and finally refutes and disposes of it; a _reply_ or _rejoinder_ may be quite inadequate, so that one may say, "This _reply_ is not an _answer_;" "I am ready with an _answer_" means far more than "I am ready with a _reply_." A _response_ is accordant or harmonious, designed or adapted to carry on the thought of the words that called it forth, as the _responses_ in a liturgical service, or to meet the wish of him who seeks it; as, the appeal for aid met a prompt and hearty _response_. _Repartee_ is a prompt, witty, and commonly good-natured _answer_ to some argument or attack; a _retort_ may also be witty, but is severe and may be even savage in its intensity.

Prepositions:

An answer _in_ writing, or _by_ word of mouth, _to_ the question.

ANTIc.i.p.aTE.

Synonyms:

apprehend, forecast, hope, expect, foretaste, look forward to.

To _antic.i.p.ate_ may be either to take before in fact or to take before in thought; in the former sense it is allied with _prevent_; in the latter, with the synonyms above given. This is coming to be the prevalent and favorite use. We _expect_ that which we have good reason to believe will happen; as, a boy _expects_ to grow to manhood. We _hope_ for that which we much desire and somewhat _expect_. We _apprehend_ what we both _expect_ and fear. _Antic.i.p.ate_ is commonly used now, like _foretaste_, of that which we _expect_ both with confidence and pleasure. In this use it is a stronger word than _hope_, where often "the wish is father to the thought." I _hope_ for a visit from my friend, tho I have no word from him; I _expect_ it when he writes that he is coming; and as the time draws near I _antic.i.p.ate_ it with pleasure. Compare ABIDE; PREVENT.

Antonyms:

despair of, doubt, dread, fear, recall, recollect, remember.

distrust,

ANTIc.i.p.aTION.

Synonyms:

antepast, expectation, foresight, hope, apprehension, foreboding, foretaste, presentiment, expectancy, forecast, forethought, prevision.

_Expectation_ may be either of good or evil; _presentiment_ almost always, _apprehension_ and _foreboding_ always, of evil; _antic.i.p.ation_ and _antepast_, commonly of good. Thus, we speak of the pleasures of _antic.i.p.ation_. A _foretaste_ may be of good or evil, and is more than imaginary; it is a part actually received in advance. _Foresight_ and _forethought_ prevent future evil and secure future good by timely looking forward, and acting upon what is foreseen. Compare ANTIc.i.p.aTE.

Antonyms:

astonishment, despair, dread, fear, surprise, consummation, doubt, enjoyment, realization, wonder.

ANTIPATHY.

Synonyms:

abhorrence, disgust, hatred, repugnance, antagonism, dislike, hostility, repulsion, aversion, distaste, opposition, uncongeniality.

detestation,

_Antipathy_, _repugnance_, and _uncongeniality_ are instinctive; other forms of _dislike_ may be acquired or cherished for cause.

_Uncongeniality_ is negative, a want of touch or sympathy. An _antipathy_ to a person or thing is an instinctive recoil from connection or a.s.sociation with that person or thing, and may be physical or mental, or both. _Antagonism_ may result from the necessity of circ.u.mstances; _opposition_ may spring from conflicting views or interests; _abhorrence_ and _detestation_ may be the result of religious and moral training; _distaste_ and _disgust_ may be acquired; _aversion_ is a deep and permanent _dislike_. A natural _antipathy_ may give rise to _opposition_ which may result in _hatred_ and _hostility_. Compare ACRIMONY; ANGER; ENMITY; HATRED.

Antonyms:

affinity, attraction, fellow-feeling, kindliness, sympathy.

agreement, congeniality, harmony, regard,

Prepositions:

Antipathy _to_ (less frequently _for_ or _against_) a person or thing; antipathy _between_ or _betwixt_ two persons or things.

ANTIQUE.

Synonyms:

ancient, old-fas.h.i.+oned, quaint, superannuated.

antiquated,

_Antique_ refers to an _ancient_, _antiquated_ to a discarded style.

_Antique_ is that which is either _ancient_ in fact or _ancient_ in style. The reference is to the style rather than to the age. We can speak of the _antique_ architecture of a church just built. The difference between _antiquated_ and _antique_ is not in the age, for a Puritan style may be scorned as _antiquated_, while a Roman or Renaissance style may be prized as _antique_. The _antiquated_ is not so much out of date as out of vogue. _Old-fas.h.i.+oned_ may be used approvingly or contemptuously. In the latter case it becomes a synonym for _antiquated_; in the good sense it approaches the meaning of _antique_, but indicates less duration. We call a wide New England fireplace _old-fas.h.i.+oned_; a coin of the Caesars, _antique_. _Quaint_ combines the idea of age with a pleasing oddity; as, a _quaint_ gambrel-roofed house. _Antiquated_ is sometimes used of persons in a sense akin to _superannuated_. The _antiquated_ person is out of style and out of sympathy with the present generation by reason of age; the _superannuated_ person is incapacitated for present activities by reason of age. Compare OLD.

Antonyms:

fas.h.i.+onable, fresh, modern, modish, new, recent, stylish.

ANXIETY.

Synonyms:

anguish, disquiet, foreboding, perplexity, apprehension, disturbance, fretfulness, solicitude, care, dread, fretting, trouble, concern, fear, misgiving, worry.