Reciprocal antonyms are words that have opposite or contrary meanings and that have the peculiarity that the existence of one of the terms implies the existence of the other. For example: give / receive. For someone to give, someone else has to receive and vice versa.
Antonyms are two words that have opposite meanings and when classified according to meaning they can be:
complementary antonyms . One term excludes the other. For example: dead / alive.- Gradual Antonyms . They are opposite terms, but there are other terms among them that show graduation. For example: gigantic / tiny.
- reciprocal antonyms . The existence of one term implies the existence of the other. For example: delivery / receipt.
See also: Sentences with antonyms
Characteristics of reciprocal antonyms
- They must belong to the same class of words.
- They have a difference in meaning (not a total opposition).
- They have an inverse relationship, that is, one term is the inverse of the other.
Examples of reciprocal antonyms
| Word |
Its reciprocal antonym is…
|
| speed up | brake |
| loosen up | tense |
| grab | release |
| host | invited |
| go down | go up |
| good | evil |
| give | have |
| collect | to pay |
| purchase | sell |
| debtor | creditor |
| sleep | wake |
| owner | lessee |
| meet | to lose |
| to teach | learn |
| delivery | reception |
| deliver | to receive |
| slave | love |
| winner | loser |
| import | export |
| immigrate | emigrate |
| offer | demand |
| Pattern | employee |
| powerful | weak |
| reconcile | quarrel |
| reply | to ask |
| get out | get in |
| feel | stand up |
| have | deliver |
| seller | buyer |
| return | leave |
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