Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context

Key Notes:

1. Understanding Antonyms:

• Definition: Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.
• Purpose: Identifying antonyms helps in understanding the context and meaning of unfamiliar words by contrasting them with their opposites.

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2. Context Clues:

• Definition Clues: Sometimes the definition of the word may be provided in the context or by using an antonym.
• Example: “The dessert was sweet, but the after-dinner coffee was bitter.”
  • Here, “bitter” serves as an antonym to “sweet,” helping to understand the meaning of “sweet.”

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3. Finding Antonyms:

• Look for Opposite Words: Identify words or phrases in the sentence that suggest a contrasting idea.
• Contextual Relationships: Pay attention to how the antonym changes the meaning of the sentence.

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4. Using Sentences to Understand Meaning:

• Contextual Sentences: Analyze how the antonym helps in revealing the meaning of the target word.
• Example: “The courageous firefighter faced the blaze head-on, unlike his timid colleague who hesitated.”
  • “Timid” is an antonym of “courageous” and helps clarify the meaning of “courageous.”