Where synonym and antonym?

Semantics is part of the process of studying the meaning of words and how they are related to each other, and it is also in charge of dividing words into different categories according to the similarity of their meaning. If we compare the meaning of two words from the dictionary and our usual vocabulary, we will find that they can be synonym, antonym, or homonym.

If the meaning of both words is almost the same, then they can both be synonymous or antonymous, but only if they are in the same category. For the same reason, the word'much' cannot be used with the word'scarce'.

It is important to mention that synonymy and antonymy are not exclusive to nouns. You can find a synonym or antonym for the word classes that are used.

There are some words that can coincide or oppose each other in different contexts, while others only show an affinity. The following groups of antonyms will show you how much similarity there is between two words.

It will be easier for you to communicate with the people around you if you know more antonyms.

The richness of our Spanish language allows us to create many combinations in order to express ourselves.

This group of synonyms is made up of words that have the same meaning and can be interchanged within a sentence without changing their meaning. This type of synonym will give us more freedom of communication at the time of writing, it will avoid the unnecessary repetition of terms and will give our texts their own style.

Some specialists in the Spanish language doubt the existence of total synonyms, justifying their answer with the fact that each person uses the words according to their particular point of view, otherwise communication would be inefficient. The sentences that we show below are examples of the total synonyms that exist in Spanish.

The words 'different' and 'different' have the same definition, which means that they are used to refer to things that are not compatible. Without altering the meaning of the message, the synonyms are complete.

In many regions of Latin America, the word 'periodic' and'diario' are used to refer to the publications in which we can get news. The media have ensured that we learn this new pair of synonyms, despite the fact that the word 'newspaper' is used more frequently in Mexico.

The clearest example of what total synonymy is is the above terms. The set of letters with which all our words are formed are referred to as the 'Alphabet' and 'Alphabet' nouns. Both options are completely interchangeable, no matter the context.

All the words that can be replaced with each other are in this group of synonyms. To use a partial synonym, we need to know the meaning of the word and the intention of the message that we want to communicate; otherwise our conversation will sound strange and out of place.

Some examples of partial synonyms are listed.

Since the context of the situation is what determines the use of the nounsdelicacy andfragility, they cannot be considered a total synonym. The use of words like sensitivity and delicacy has taught us that delicate objects are not handled with sensitivity. A person who is weak due to illness can be cared for in a way that is gentle.

The meaning of the words 'brilliant' and 'intelligent' doesn't allow us to refer to a person and an object. These terms have become synonymous with positive characteristics of a person, however, an object may be brilliant without ever having the faculty of intelligence. Both words are partial synonymy.

If the context refers to the biological functions of a living being, then the word food can be used interchangeably with the previous one, but if it is used as a metaphor, then the word food is not the most consistent option.

Two words that form a degree synonymy cannot be interchanged under any type of context because the meaning of this group of synonyms expresses a similar idea but in different intensity. The synonymy of degree is the one that will help us if our objective is to defend a position in many situations.

The sentences shown below are examples.

Affection and love are different emotions.

When the intensity of affection is great, the word love is usually used, while the word affection is used to describe a moderate feeling. We reserve each term for different types of personal relationships because the meaning of these two nouns is very similar.

The term wonderful is used when our perception is being deeply impacted, as both the words pleasant and wonderful describe very similar internal experiences.

Synonymy can be used to find alternatives to the different verbs that make up our language. The pronominal verbs 'to bother' and 'to get enervated' are examples.

The same emotion is experienced again. The term 'get enervated' suggests a lack of control, while the term 'get upset' suggests a slight discontent.

This class of antonyms is indicative of a progression between two different terms.

It is possible to indicate the evolution of a situation with gradual antonyms. The two antonyms are separated by a series of degrees. If we have had a lot of work, it's possible that we start the day with a lot of energy and end it with exhaustion.

The following sentences will show you what gradual antonyms are.

The beginning and end of a man's life can be seen in the previous words 'childhood' and 'old age'.

The fact that a child must undergo an evolution or progression through time tells us that we are dealing with a pair of antonyms.

The physical appearance of a man or a woman is described with the words 'fat' and'skinny.'

Not being able to experience such an extreme physical change overnight is a gradual antonym for these terms.

Another example of degree antonyms is the words above. Between war and peace, it is necessary to go through periods of truce, as is common to read in chronicles of history. We are facing a pair of degree antonyms if we can identify a progression from higher to lower intensity.