English Synonyms and Antonyms

harness." The other words apply to the ornamental outfit of a horse, especially under saddle. We speak also of
the accouterments of a soldier. Caparison is used rarely and somewhat slightingly, and trappings quite
contemptuously, for showy human apparel. Compare ARMS; DRESS.
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Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
81

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CAPITAL.
Synonyms:
chief city, metropolis, seat of government.
The metropolis is the chief city in the commercial, the capital in the political sense. The capital of an
American State is rarely its metropolis.
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CARE.
Synonyms:
anxiety, concern, oversight, trouble, attention, direction, perplexity, vigilance, caution, forethought,
precaution, wariness, charge, heed, prudence, watchfulness, circumspection, management, solicitude, worry.
Care concerns what we possess; anxiety, often, what we do not; riches bring many cares; poverty brings many
anxieties. Care also signifies watchful attention, in view of possible harm; as, "This side up with care;" "Take
care of yourself;" or, as a sharp warning, "Take care!" Caution has a sense of possible harm and risk only to
be escaped, if at all, by careful deliberation and observation. Care inclines to the positive, caution to the
negative; care is shown in doing, caution largely in not doing. Precaution is allied with care, prudence with
caution; a man rides a dangerous horse with care; caution will keep him from mounting the horse; precaution
looks to the saddle-girths, bit and bridle, and all that may make the rider secure. Circumspection is watchful
observation and calculation, but without the timidity implied in caution. Concern denotes a serious interest,
milder than anxiety; as, concern for the safety of a ship at sea. Heed implies attention without disquiet; it is
now largely displaced by attention and care. Solicitude involves especially the element of desire, not
expressed in anxiety, and of hopefulness, not implied in care. A parent feels constant solicitude for his
children's welfare, anxiety as to dangers that threaten it, with care to guard against them. Watchfulness
recognizes the possibility of danger, wariness the probability. A man who is not influenced by caution to keep
out of danger may display great wariness in the midst of it. Care has also the sense of responsibility, with
possible control, as expressed in charge, management, oversight; as, these children are under my care; send
the money to me in care of the firm. Compare ALARM; ANXIETY; PRUDENCE.
Antonyms:
carelessness, inattention, negligence, oversight, remissness, disregard, indifference, omission, recklessness,
slight. heedlessness, neglect,
Prepositions:
Take care of the house; for the future; about the matter.
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CAREER.
Synonyms:
charge, flight, passage, race, course, line of achievement, public life, rush.
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
82

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A career was originally the ground for a race, or, especially, for a knight's charge in tournament or battle;
whence career was early applied to the charge itself.
If you will use the lance, take ground for your career.... The four horsemen met in full career.
SCOTT Quentin Durward ch. 14, p. 194. [D. F. & CO.]
In its figurative use career signifies some continuous and conspicuous work, usually a life-work, and most
frequently one of honorable achievement. Compare BUSINESS.
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CARESS.
Synonyms:
coddle, embrace, fondle, pamper, court, flatter, kiss, pet.
To caress is less than to embrace; more dignified and less familiar than to fondle. A visitor caresses a friend's
child; a mother fondles her babe. Fondling is always by touch; caressing may be also by words, or other
tender and pleasing attentions.
Antonyms:
See synonyms for AFFRONT.
Prepositions:
Caressed by or with the hand; caressed by admirers, at court.
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CARICATURE.
Synonyms:
burlesque, extravaganza, mimicry, take-off, exaggeration, imitation, parody, travesty.
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