antónimo
/anˈtonimo/masculine
The English word "antonym" is antónimo in Spanish.
The word refers to a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.
Meaning: word which has the opposite meaning (noun)
Which one should you use?
You may also see the feminine form antónima used when the word is functioning as an adjective to describe a feminine noun, such as palabra antónima (antonym word).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of antónimo is antónimos. As noted, you can use the feminine form antónima if the word refers to a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/anˈtonimo/
Did you know?
- Spanish linguists use the term antónimos recíprocos for words where one cannot exist without the other, such as comprar (to buy) and vender (to sell).
- While English uses 'opposite' for both general and linguistic contexts, Spanish speakers frequently use opuesto for general things and reserve antónimo specifically for linguistic study.
- In casual conversation, a Spanish speaker will almost never use antónimo to describe a person with an opposite personality, preferring opuesto or el polo opuesto.
Examples in context
- ¿No sabes un antónimo de 'alivio'?Don't you know an antonym for 'relief'?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows an antónimo for a specific word.Tatoeba #1209038 by marcelostockle, translation #1209042 by marcelostockle
- Las palabras sinónimo y antónimo son antónimas.The words "synonym" and "antonym" are antonyms.This sentence demonstrates how the words synonym and antónimo are described as being antonyms.Tatoeba #6393806 by carlosalberto, translation #6394062 by npvojtik
- ¿Puedes ofrecer un antónimo para esa palabra?Can you provide an antonym for that word?
- Necesito identificar el término opuesto a esta palabraI need to identify the opposite term for this word.
- ¿Sabes cuál es la palabra contraria a 'grande'?Do you know what the opposite word of 'large' is?
- La palabra opuesta a 'amor' es 'odio'The opposite word of 'love' is 'hate'.
- El antónimo de 'frío' es 'caliente'.The antonym of 'cold' is 'hot'.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are studying for a Spanish vocabulary quiz.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿cuál es el antónimo de 'grande'?Alejandro, what is the antonym of 'big'?
- AlejandroCreo que es 'pequeño'.I think it is 'small'.
- Lucía¡Exacto! Eres muy bueno en esto.Exactly! You are very good at this.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía. Estoy practicando mucho.Thanks, Lucía. I am practicing a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “antonym” translations and entries antónimo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
