English Synonyms and Antonyms

Smart, indicating dashing ability, is now coming to have a suggestion of unscrupulousness, similar to that of
the word sharp, which makes its use a doubtful compliment. The discriminating use of such words as able,
gifted, talented, etc., is greatly preferable to an excessive use of the word clever. Compare ACUMEN;
ASTUTE; POWER.
Antonyms:
awkward, clumsy, foolish, ignorant, slow, thick-headed, bungling, dull, idiotic, senseless, stupid, witless.
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COLLISION.
Synonyms:
clash, concussion, contact, impact, opposition, clashing, conflict, encounter, meeting, shock.
Collision, the act or fact of striking violently together, is the result of motion or action, and is sudden and
momentary; contact may be a condition of rest, and be continuous and permanent; collision is sudden and
violent contact. Concussion is often by transmitted force rather than by direct impact; two railway-trains come
into collision; an explosion of dynamite shatters neighboring windows by concussion. Impact is the blow
given by the striking body; as, the impact of the cannon-shot upon the target. An encounter is always violent,
and generally hostile. Meeting is neutral, and may be of the dearest friends or of the bitterest foes; of objects,
of persons, or of opinions; of two or of a multitude. Shock is the result of collision. In the figurative use, we
speak of clashing of views, collision of persons. Opposition is used chiefly of persons, more rarely of
opinions or interests; conflict is used indifferently of all.
Antonyms:
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
94

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agreement, coincidence, concord, conformity, unison, amity, concert, concurrence, harmony, unity.
Prepositions:
Collision of one object with another; of or between opposing objects.
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COMFORTABLE.
Synonyms:
agreeable, cheery, genial, snug, at ease, commodious, pleasant, well-off, at rest, contented, satisfactory,
well-provided, cheerful, convenient, satisfied, well-to-do.
A person is comfortable in mind when contented and measurably satisfied. A little additional brightness
makes him cheerful. He is comfortable in body when free from pain, quiet, at ease, at rest. He is comfortable
in circumstances, or in comfortable circumstances, when things about him are generally agreeable and
satisfactory, usually with the suggestion of sufficient means to secure that result.
Antonyms:
cheerless, discontented, distressed, forlorn, uncomfortable, disagreeable, dissatisfied, dreary, miserable,
wretched.
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COMMIT.
Synonyms:
assign, confide, consign, entrust, relegate, trust.
Commit, in the sense here considered, is to give in charge, put into care or keeping; to confide or entrust is to
commit especially to one's fidelity, confide being used chiefly of mental or spiritual, entrust also of material
things; we assign a duty, confide a secret, entrust a treasure; we commit thoughts to writing; commit a paper to
the flames, a body to the earth; a prisoner is committed to jail. Consign is a formal word in mercantile use; as,
to consign goods to an agent. Religiously, we consign the body to the grave, commit the soul to God. Compare
DO.
Prepositions:
Commit to a friend for safe-keeping; in law, commit to prison; for trial; without bail; in default of bail; on
suspicion.
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COMPANY.
Synonyms:
assemblage, concourse, convocation, host, assembly, conference, crowd, meeting, collection, congregation,
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
95

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gathering, multitude, conclave, convention, group, throng.