English Synonyms and Antonyms

transitory? 3. What is the distinctive meaning of temporary? 4. From what is ephemeral derived, and with
what sense? 5. How does ephemeral differ from transient or transitory? 6. What does ephemeral suggest
besides brevity of time? 7. What is the derivation and meaning of fugitive? 8. What is the distinctive meaning
of evanescent?
EXAMPLES.
Mirth is short and ----, cheerfulness fixed and permanent.
Neither gratitude nor revenge had any share in determining his [Charles II.'s] course; for never was there a
mind on which both services and injuries left such faint and ---- impressions.
A ---- chairman is commonly appointed at the opening of a meeting to conduct proceedings till a permanent
presiding officer shall be elected.
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UNION (page 362).
QUESTIONS.
1. What is unity? 2. What is union? 3. How are unity and union contrasted? 4. When may unity be predicated
of that which is made up of parts?
EXAMPLES.
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in ----.
Out of the ---- of Roman and Teutonic elements arose the modern world of Europe.
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UTILITY (page 363).
QUESTIONS.
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
459

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1. From what is utility derived, and what is its primary meaning? 2. How is utility discriminated from use and
usefulness? 3. What is the derivation and primary meaning of expediency? 4. How are expediency and utility
used as regards moral action? Which is the inferior word in such use? 5. How does policy in such use compare
with expediency and utility?
EXAMPLES.
Principle is ever my motto, not ----.
Two words form the key of the Baconian doctrine, ---- and progress. The ancient philosophy disdained to be
useful, and was content to be stationary.
Justice itself is the great standing ---- of civil society, and any departure from it, under any circumstances,
rests under the suspicion of being no ---- at all.
The fundamental objection to the doctrine of ----, in all its modifications is that taken by Dr. Reid, viz., "that
agreeableness and ---- are not moral conceptions, nor have they any connection with morality. What a man
does merely because it is agreeable is not virtue."
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VACANT (page 363).
QUESTIONS.
1. What is the meaning of empty? of vacant? 2. To what does vacant especially refer? 3. What is the
difference between an empty house and a vacant house? 4. What is the difference in dignity between the two
words? 5. What is the significance of void and devoid? 6. What does waste imply? 7. In what sense is vacuous
used?
EXAMPLES.
---- heads console with ---- sound.
The watch-dog's voice that bay'd the whispering wind And the loud laugh that spoke the ---- mind.
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VENAL (page 365).
QUESTIONS.
1. From what is venal derived, and with what meaning? mercenary? hireling? 2. How are mercenary and
venal discriminated from hireling?
EXAMPLES.
The closing quarter of the nineteenth century may be termed the ---- era of American politics. Never before
has legislation been so universally, so unscrupulously, and unblushingly for sale.
The body of Greeks, immortalized under the name of the Ten Thousand, ... though embarking on a foreign ----
service, were by no means outcasts, or even men of extreme poverty.
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
460

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It is not the hire, but the working only for the hire that makes the ----.
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VENERATION (page 366).
QUESTIONS.
1. By what qualities is awe inspired? 2. What elements are present and what lacking in awe? 3. What is dread
and by what aroused? 4. How do reverence and veneration differ from awe or dread? 5. How does adoration
compare with veneration?
EXAMPLES.
Man craves an object of ----; and if not supplied with that which God has appointed, will take what offers.
The Italian climate robs age of its ----, and makes it look newer than it is.
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VENIAL (page 367).
QUESTIONS.
1. From what is venial derived, and what does it signify? 2. How does venial compare with pardonable? 3.
How does excusable differ from the above words? 4. What very different word is sometimes confounded with
venial?
EXAMPLES.
Theft on the part of a starving man is one of the most ---- of offenses.
Under all the circumstances, the error was ----.
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VERACITY (page 367).
QUESTIONS.
1. Do truth and verity apply to thought and speech or to persons? 2. To what does veracity apply?