CONTRAST /

ANTONYMS CLUES
 Antonyms
•is a word that means the opposite of the
unknown
•Sometimes a word of phrase is clarified by the
presentation of the opposite meaning somewhere close
to it.
•It is also useful as a context clues.
• Note that antonyms are often introduced with
signal words and phrases.
 Hint Words for Contrast Clues

• Whereas • But

• On the other hand • Despite

• However • Yet

• In contrast • Rather

• Unlike • Nevertheless
EXAMPLES
 In the sentence below,

• 1. What is the antonym that helps you figure

out the meaning of the word bizarre?

• 2. What is the meaning of bizarre?

 Most of my friend’s mother seemed
ordinary; mine, however, did such bizarre
things as spraying green paint on a dead
tree in front of our house .
 Bizarre means
• A. odd B. easy C. dangerous

A. Odd

• Explanation
– Bizarre is the opposite of “ordinary,” so it means
“odd”.
 Another example

• What is the antonym that helps you figure out

the meaning of the word verbose?

• What is the meaning of verbose?

• A memo that is brief and to the point is more
likely to be read than one is verbose and
rambling.
 Verbose means
• A . Argumentative B. wordy C. short

• B . Wordy

• Explanation
– Verbose is the opposite of “brief and to the point”,
so it must mean “wordy”.