English Synonyms and Antonyms

Extemporaneous, originally signifying of or from the time or occasion, has come to mean done or made with
but little (if any) preparation, and is now chiefly applied to addresses of which the thought has been prepared,
and only the language and incidental treatment left to the suggestion of the moment, so that an
extemporaneous speech is understood to be any one that is not read or recited; impromptu keeps its original
sense, denoting something that springs from the instant; the impromptu utterance is generally brief, direct, and
vigorous; the extemporaneous speech may chance to be prosy. Offhand is still more emphatic as to the
readiness and freedom of the utterance. Unpremeditated is graver and more formal, denoting absolute want of
preparation, but is rather too heavy a word to be applied to such apt, ready utterance as is generally designated
by impromptu.
Antonyms:
elaborated, premeditated, prepared, read, recited, studied, written.
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EXTERMINATE.
Synonyms:
annihilate, eradicate, overthrow, uproot, banish, expel, remove, wipe out. destroy, extirpate, root out,
Exterminate (L. ex, out, and terminus, a boundary) signified primarily to drive beyond the bounds or limits of
a country; the word is applied to races of men or animals, and is now almost exclusively used for removal by
death; individuals are now said to be banished or expelled. Eradicate (L. e, out, and radix, root) is primarily
applied to numbers or groups of plants which it is desired to remove effectually from the soil; a single tree
may be uprooted, but is not said to be eradicated; we labor to eradicate or root out noxious weeds. To
extirpate (L. ex, out, and stirps, stem, stock) is not only to destroy the individuals of any race of plants or
animals, but the very stock, so that the race can never be restored; we speak of eradicating a disease, of
extirpating a cancer, exterminating wild beasts or hostile tribes; we seek to eradicate or extirpate all vices and
evils. Compare ABOLISH.
Antonyms:
augment, build up, develop, increase, populate, replenish, beget, cherish, foster, plant, propagate, settle. breed,
colonize,
* * * * *
FAINT.
Synonyms:
dim, fatigued, irresolute, weak, exhausted, feeble, languid, wearied, faded, half-hearted, listless, worn,
faint-hearted, ill-defined, purposeless, worn down, faltering, indistinct, timid, worn out.
Faint, with the general sense of lacking strength or effectiveness, covers a wide range of meaning, signifying
overcome with physical weakness or exhaustion, or lacking in purpose, courage, or energy, as said of persons;
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
138

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or lacking definiteness or distinctness of color or sound, as said of written characters, voices, or musical notes.
A person may be faint when physically wearied, or when overcome with fear; he may be a faint adherent
because naturally feeble or purposeless, or because half-hearted in the cause; he may be a faltering supporter
because naturally irresolute or because faint-hearted and timid in view of perils that threaten, a listless
worker, through want of mental energy and purpose. Written characters may be faint or dim, either because
originally written with poor ink, or because they have become faded by time and exposure.
Antonyms:
bright, clear, daring, fresh, resolute, sturdy, brilliant, conspicuous, energetic, hearty, strong, vigorous.
Prepositions:
Faint with hunger; faint in color.
* * * * *
FAITH.
Synonyms:
assent, confidence, credit, opinion, assurance, conviction, creed, reliance, belief, credence, doctrine, trust.
Belief, as an intellectual process, is the acceptance of some thing as true on other grounds than personal
observation and experience. We give credence to a report, assent to a proposition or to a proposal. Belief is
stronger than credence; credence might be described as a prima facie belief; credence is a more formal word
than belief, and seems to imply somewhat more of volition; we speak of giving credence to a report, but not of
giving belief. Goods are sold on credit; we give one credit for good intentions. Conviction is a belief
established by argument or evidence; assurance is belief beyond the reach of argument; as, the Christian's