English Synonyms and Antonyms

Design refers to the adaptation of means to an end, the correspondence and coordination of parts, or of
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separate acts, to produce a result; intent and purpose overleap all particulars, and fasten on the end itself.
Intention is simply the more familiar form of the legal and philosophical intent. Plan relates to details of form,
structure, and action, in themselves; design considers these same details all as a means to an end. The plan of
a campaign may be for a series of sharp attacks, with the design of thus surprising and overpowering the
enemy. A man comes to a fixed intention to kill his enemy; he forms a plan to entrap him into his power, with
the design of then compassing his death; as the law can not read the heart, it can only infer the intent from the
evidences of design. Intent denotes a straining, stretching forth toward an object; purpose simply the placing it
before oneself; hence, we speak of the purpose rather than the intent or intention of God. We hold that the
marks of design in nature prove it the work of a great Designer. Intention contemplates the possibility of
failure; purpose looks to assured success; intent or intention refers especially to the state of mind of the actor;
purpose to the result of the action. Compare AIM; CAUSE; IDEA; MODEL.
Prepositions:
The design of defrauding; the design of a building; a design for a statue.
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DESIRE.
Synonyms:
appetency, concupiscence, hankering, proclivity, appetite, coveting, inclination, propensity, aspiration,
craving, longing, wish.
Inclination is the mildest of these terms; it is a quiet, or even a vague or unconscious, tendency. Even when
we speak of a strong or decided inclination we do not express the intensity of desire. Desire has a wide range,
from the highest objects to the lowest; desire is for an object near at hand, or near in thought, and viewed as
attainable; a wish may be for what is remote or uncertain, or even for what is recognized as impossible.
Craving is stronger than hankering; hankering may be the result of a fitful and capricious appetite; craving
may be the imperious and reasonable demand of the whole nature. Longing is a reaching out with deep and
persistent demand for that which is viewed as now distant but at some time attainable; as, the captive's longing
for release. Coveting ordinarily denotes wrong desire for that which is another's. Compare APPETITE.
Antonyms:
See synonyms for ANTIPATHY.
Prepositions:
The desire of fame; a desire for excellence.
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DESPAIR.
Synonyms:
desperation, despondency, discouragement, hopelessness.
Discouragement is the result of so much repulse or failure as wears out courage. Discouragements too
frequent and long continued may produce a settled hopelessness. Hopelessness is negative, and may result
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from simple apathy; despondency and despair are more emphatic and decided. Despondency is an incapacity
for the present exercise of hope; despair is the utter abandonment of hope. Despondency relaxes energy and
effort and is always attended with sadness or distress; despair may produce a stony calmness, or it may lead to
desperation. Desperation is energized despair, vigorous in action, reckless of consequences.
Antonyms:
anticipation, confidence, encouragement, expectation, hopefulness, assurance, courage, expectancy, hope,
trust. cheer, elation,
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DEXTERITY.
Synonyms:
adroitness, aptitude, cleverness, expertness, readiness, skill.