English Synonyms and Antonyms

Strike is the word for a single blow; to beat is to strike repeatedly, as a bird beats the air with its wings. Others
of the above words describe the manner of beating, as bastinado, to beat on the soles of the feet; belabor, to
inflict a comprehensive and exhaustive beating; cudgel, to beat with a stick; thrash, as wheat was beaten out
with the old hand-flail; to pound (akin to L. pondus, a weight) is to beat with a heavy, and pommel with a
blunt, instrument. To batter and to bruise refer to the results of beating; that is battered which is broken or
defaced by repeated blows on the surface (compare synonyms for SHATTER); that is bruised which has
suffered even one severe contusion. The metaphorical sense of beat, however, so far preponderates that one
may be very badly bruised and battered, and yet not be said to be beaten, unless he has got the worst of the
beating. To beat a combatant is to disable or dishearten him for further fighting. Hence beat becomes the
synonym for every word which implies getting the advantage of another. Compare CONQUER.
Antonyms:
fail, fall, get the worst of, go down, go under, surrender.
Almost all antonyms in this class are passive, and can be formed indefinitely from the conquering words by
the use of the auxiliary be; as, be beaten, be defeated, be conquered, etc.
Prepositions:
Beat with a stick over the head; beat by a trick; out of town; beat to the ground; into submission.
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BEAUTIFUL.
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
67

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Synonyms:
attractive, charming, exquisite, handsome, beauteous, comely, fair, lovely, bewitching, delightful, fine,
picturesque, bonny, elegant, graceful, pretty.
The definition of beauty, "perfection of form," is a good key to the meaning of beautiful, if we understand
"form" in its widest sense. There must also be harmony and unity, and in human beings spiritual loveliness, to
constitute an object or a person really beautiful. Thus, we speak of a beautiful landscape, a beautiful poem.
But beautiful implies also, in concrete objects, softness of outline and delicacy of mold; it is opposed to all
that is hard and rugged, hence we say a beautiful woman, but not a beautiful man. Beautiful has the further
limit of not transcending our powers of appreciation. Pretty expresses in a far less degree that which is
pleasing to a refined taste in objects comparatively small, slight, and dainty; as, a pretty bonnet; a pretty girl.
That is handsome which is not only superficially pleasing, but well and harmoniously proportioned, with
usually the added idea that it is made so by art, breeding, or training; as, a handsome horse; a handsome
house. Handsome is a term far inferior to beautiful; we may even say a handsome villain. Fair denotes what is
bright, smooth, clear, and without blemish; as, a fair face. The word applies wholly to what is superficial; we
can say "fair, yet false." In a specific sense, fair has the sense of blond, as opposed to dark or brunette. One
who possesses vivacity, wit, good nature, or other pleasing qualities may be attractive without beauty. Comely
denotes an aspect that is smooth, genial, and wholesome, with a certain fulness of contour and pleasing
symmetry, tho falling short of the beautiful; as, a comely matron. That is picturesque which would make a
striking picture.
Antonyms:
awkward, frightful, grotesque, repulsive, uncouth, clumsy, ghastly, hideous, shocking, ungainly, deformed,
grim, horrid, ugly, unlovely, disgusting, grisly, odious, unattractive, unpleasant.
Prepositions:
Beautiful to the eye; beautiful in appearance, in spirit; "beautiful for situation," Ps. xlviii, 2; beautiful of
aspect, of its kind.
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BECAUSE.
Synonyms:
as, for, inasmuch as, since.