Opposite vs. Synonym — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Opposite and Synonym
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Opposite
Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other
Opposite sides of a building.
Synonym
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in the same language. For example, the words begin, start, commence, and initiate are all synonyms of one another; they are synonymous.
Opposite
Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other
Opposite directions.
Synonym
A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language, for example shut is a synonym of close
‘the East’ was a synonym for the Soviet empire
‘shut’ is a synonym of ‘close’
Opposite
Being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things
The opposite sex.
An opposite role to the lead in the play.
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Synonym
A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or other words in a language.
Opposite
Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance
The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.
Synonym
A word or expression that serves as a figurative or symbolic substitute for another
"Romeo has become a synonym for any youthful lover" (Harry Levin).
Opposite
Sharply contrasting; antithetical
Had opposite views on the subject.
Synonym
(Biology) One of two or more scientific names that have been applied to the same species or other taxonomic group.
Opposite
Growing in pairs on either side of a stem
Opposite leaves.
Synonym
A word whose meaning is the same as that of another word.
Opposite
Arranged on the same radius as another part, as stamens and petals.
Synonym
A word or phrase with a meaning that is the same as, or very similar to, another word or phrase.
“Happy” is a synonym of “glad”.
Opposite
One that is opposite or contrary to another.
Synonym
(zoology) Any of the formal names for a taxon, including the valid name (i.e. the senior synonym).
Opposite
An opponent or antagonist.
Synonym
Any name for a taxon, usually a validly published, formally accepted one, but often also an unpublished name.
Opposite
An antonym.
Synonym
(databases) An alternative (often shorter) name defined for an object in a database.
Opposite
In an opposite position
They sat opposite at the table.
Synonym
One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous.
All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society.
His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy.
In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished.
Opposite
Across from or facing
Parked the car opposite the bank.
Synonym
An incorrect or incorrectly applied scientific name, as a new name applied to a species or genus already properly named, or a specific name preoccupied by that of another species of the same genus; - so used in the system of nomenclature (which see) in which the correct scientific names of certain natural groups (usually genera, species, and subspecies) are regarded as determined by priority.
Opposite
In a complementary dramatic role to
He played opposite her.
Synonym
One of two or more words corresponding in meaning but of different languages; a heteronym.
Opposite
Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
Synonym
Two words that can be interchanged in a context are said to be synonymous relative to that context
Opposite
(botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.
Opposite
Facing in the other direction.
They were moving in opposite directions.
Opposite
Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
He is attracted to the opposite sex.
Opposite
Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Opposite
Something opposite or contrary to something else.
Opposite
A person or thing that is entirely different from or the reverse of someone or something else; used to show contrast between two people or two things.
She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.
Opposite
An opponent.
Opposite
An antonym.
"Up" is the opposite of "down".
Opposite
(mathematics) An additive inverse.
Opposite
In an opposite position.
I was on my seat and she stood opposite.
Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.
Opposite
Facing, or across from.
He lives opposite the pub.
Opposite
In a complementary role to.
He played opposite Marilyn Monroe.
Opposite
(television) On another channel at the same time.
The game show Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless on CBS.
Opposite
Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; - often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange; the concert hall and the state theater stood opposite each other on the plaza.
Opposite
Situated on the other end of an imaginary line passing through or near the middle of an intervening space or object; - of one object with respect to another; as, the office is on the opposite side of town; - also used both to describe two objects with respect to each other; as, the stores were on opposite ends of the mall.
Opposite
Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme; antonyms have opposite meanings.
Opposite
Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pleasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.
Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.
Opposite
Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node.
Opposite
One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist.
The opposites of this day's strife.
Opposite
That which is opposed or contrary in character or meaning; as, sweetness and its opposite; up is the opposite of down.
The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other.
Opposite
Two words that express opposing concepts;
To him the opposite of gay was depressed
Opposite
A relation of direct opposition;
We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true
Opposite
A contestant that you are matched against
Opposite
Something inverted in sequence or character or effect;
When the direct approach failed he tried the inverse
Opposite
Being directly across from each other; facing;
And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm
We lived on opposite sides of the street
At opposite poles
Opposite
Of leaves etc; growing in pairs on either side of a stem;
Opposite leaves
Opposite
Moving or facing away from each other;
Looking in opposite directions
They went in opposite directions
Opposite
The other one of a complementary pair;
The opposite sex
The two chess kings are set up on squares of opposite colors
Opposite
Altogether different in nature or quality or significance;
The medicine's effect was opposite to that intended
It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest
Opposite
Characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed;
In diametric contradiction to his claims
Diametrical (or opposite) points of view
Opposite meanings
Extreme and indefensible polar positions
Opposite
Directly facing each other;
The two photographs lay face-to-face on the table
Lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street
They sat opposite at the table
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