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Academy11+

11+ English · Topic explained

Synonyms and antonyms

How many ways can you say "big"?

The big idea

Synonyms are words with similar meanings; antonyms are words with opposite meanings.

Picture it

Synonyms are teammates on the same side; antonyms are opponents facing each other.

Key words

synonym
A word with the same or a similar meaning: big, large, huge.
antonym
A word with the opposite meaning: big, small.
shades of meaning
Synonyms differ slightly: warm, hot, scorching.

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    big → large, huge (synonyms) big → small (antonym)

    • large and huge mean nearly the same as big.
    • small means the opposite.
  2. 211+ standard

    Closest in meaning to ancient: modern, old, broken, valuable

    • ancient means very old.
    • So the synonym is old.
  3. 311+ standard

    Opposite of generous: kind, mean, rich, poor

    • generous means happy to give.
    • The opposite is mean. (Poor is the opposite of rich, a trap!)
  4. 411+ standard

    warm → hot → scorching

    • Synonyms can be stronger or weaker.
    • Pick the one that fits exactly.

The common mistake

The mistake

Synonyms mean exactly the same, so any one will fit.

Instead

They're close, not identical: you say "happy birthday", never "glad birthday".

Why: Always check the word fits the sentence.

Where it comes up in the 11+

Closest-meaning and opposite-meaning questions are staples of CEM verbal ability and GL verbal reasoning.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains synonyms and antonyms step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

Synonyms and antonyms worksheet

Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.

Download the worksheet (PDF)

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Quick quiz

Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.

  1. 1. Which is a synonym of "rapid"?

    • slow
    • quick
    • calm
    • loud
    Show the answer

    quick

    Rapid means fast.

  2. 2. Which is an antonym of "expand"?

    • grow
    • shrink
    • stretch
    • open
    Show the answer

    shrink

    Expand means get bigger; shrink means get smaller.

  3. 3. Which is an antonym of "reluctant"?

    • unwilling
    • eager
    • tired
    • nervous
    Show the answer

    eager

    Reluctant means unwilling; eager means keen. (Unwilling is a synonym!)