English Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonymes. We augur well for a voyage from past good fortune and a good start; we presage success from the
stanchness of the ship and the skill of the captain. We forebode misfortune either from circumstances that
betoken failure, or from gloomy fancies for which we could not give a reason. Dissipation among the officers
and mutiny among the crew portend disaster. Divine has reference to the ancient soothsayers' arts (as in Gen.
xliv, 5, 15), and refers rather to reading hearts than to reading the future. We say I could not divine his motive,
or his intention.
Antonyms:
assure, demonstrate, establish, make sure, settle, calculate, determine, insure, prove, warrant.
Prepositions:
I augur from all circumstances a prosperous result; I augur ill of the enterprise; "augurs ill to the rights of the
people," THOMAS JEFFERSON Writings vol. ii, p. 506. [T. & M. '53.] I augur well, or this augurs well, for
your cause.
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AUTHENTIC.
Synonyms:
accepted, certain, original, sure, accredited, current, real, true, authoritative, genuine, received, trustworthy,
authorized, legitimate, reliable, veritable.
That is authentic which is true to the facts; that is genuine which is true to its own claims; as, authentic
history; genuine money.
A 'genuine' work is one written by the author whose name it bears; an 'authentic' work is one which relates
truthfully the matters of which it treats. For example, the apocryphal Gospel of St. Thomas is neither 'genuine'
nor 'authentic.' It is not 'genuine,' for St. Thomas did not write it; it is not 'authentic,' for its contents are
mainly fables and lies.
TRENCH On the Study of Words lect. vi, p. 189. [W. J. W.]
Authentic is, however, used by reputable writers as synonymous with genuine, tho usually where genuineness
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
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carries a certain authority. We speak of accepted conclusions, certain evidence, current money, genuine
letters, a legitimate conclusion or legitimate authority, original manuscripts, real value, received
interpretation, sure proof, a true statement, a trustworthy witness, a veritable discovery.
Antonyms:
apocryphal, counterfeit, exploded, false, spurious, baseless, disputed, fabulous, fictitious, unauthorized.
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AUXILIARY.
Synonyms:
accessory, ally, coadjutor, helper, promoter, aid, assistant, confederate, mercenary, subordinate.
An auxiliary is a person or thing that helps in a subordinate capacity. Allies unite as equals; auxiliaries are, at
least technically, inferiors or subordinates. Yet the auxiliary is more than a mere assistant. The word is
oftenest found in the plural, and in the military sense; auxiliaries are troops of one nation uniting with the
armies, and acting under the orders, of another. Mercenaries serve only for pay; auxiliaries often for reasons
of state, policy, or patriotism as well. Compare ACCESSORY; APPENDAGE.
Antonyms:
antagonist, hinderer, opponent, opposer.
Prepositions:
The auxiliaries of the Romans; an auxiliary in a good cause; an auxiliary to learning.
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AVARICIOUS.
Synonyms:
close, greedy, niggardly, penurious, sordid, covetous, miserly, parsimonious, rapacious, stingy.
Avaricious and covetous refer especially to acquisition, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, and penurious to
expenditure. The avaricious man has an eager craving for money, and ordinarily desires both to get and to
keep, the covetous man to get something away from its possessor; tho one may be made avaricious by the
pressure of great expenditures. Miserly and niggardly persons seek to gain by mean and petty savings; the