English Synonyms and Antonyms

contract is a formal agreement between two or more parties for the doing or leaving undone some specified
act or acts, and is ordinarily in writing. Mutual promises may have the force of a contract. A consideration, or
compensation, is essential to convert an agreement into a contract. A contract may be oral or written. A
covenant in law is a written contract under seal. Covenant is frequent in religious usage, as contract is in law
and business. Compact is essentially the same as contract, but is applied to international agreements, treaties,
etc. A bargain is a mutual agreement for an exchange of values, without the formality of a contract. A
stipulation is a single item in an agreement or contract. A cartel is a military agreement for the exchange of
prisoners or the like.
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CONTRAST.
Synonyms:
compare, differentiate, discriminate, oppose.
To compare (L. con, together, and par, equal) is to place together in order to show likeness or unlikeness; to
contrast (L. contra, against, and sto, stand) is to set in opposition in order to show unlikeness. We contrast
objects that have been already compared. We must compare them, at least momentarily, even to know that
they are different. We contrast them when we observe their unlikeness in a general way; we differentiate them
when we note the difference exactly and point by point. We distinguish objects when we note a difference that
may fall short of contrast; we discriminate them when we classify or place them according to their
differences.
Preposition:
We contrast one object with another.
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CONVERSATION.
Synonyms:
chat, communion, converse, intercourse, colloquy, confabulation, dialogue, parley, communication,
conference, discourse, talk.
Conversation (Latin con, with) is, etymologically, an interchange of ideas with some other person or persons.
Talk may be wholly one-sided. Many brilliant talkers have been incapable of conversation. There may be
intercourse without conversation, as by looks, signs, etc.; communion is of hearts, with or without words;
communication is often by writing, and may be uninvited and unreciprocated. Talk may denote the mere
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
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utterance of words with little thought; thus, we say idle talk, empty talk, rather than idle or empty
conversation. Discourse is now applied chiefly to public addresses. A conference is more formal than a
conversation. Dialog denotes ordinarily an artificial or imaginary conversation, generally of two persons, but
sometimes of more. A colloquy is indefinite as to number, and generally somewhat informal. Compare
BEHAVIOR.
Prepositions:
Conversation with friends; between or among the guests; about a matter.
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CONVERT.
Synonyms:
disciple, neophyte, proselyte.
The name disciple is given to the follower of a certain faith, without reference to any previous belief or
allegiance; a convert is a person who has come to one faith from a different belief or from unbelief. A
proselyte is one who has been led to accept a religious system, whether with or without true faith; a convert is
always understood to be a believer. A neophyte is a new convert, not yet fully indoctrinated, or not admitted to
full privileges. The antonyms apostate, pervert, and renegade are condemnatory names applied to the convert
by those whose faith he forsakes.
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CONVEY.
Synonyms:
carry, give, remove, shift, transmit, change, move, sell, transfer, transport.