For virtually every word in the English language, there’s a way of expressing the opposite idea. For example, “right” has “wrong” (and “left”), and “up” has “down.” Some words in English use suffixes and prefixes to create natural pairs with their opposites — such as “hopeful” and “hopeless,” and “effective” and “ineffective.” Other words that include common prefixes and suffixes don’t actually have a pairing antonym (one can be reckless, but one cannot be reckful), while some opposites have been created by adding a prefix to a standalone word (“eustress” from “stress,” as we will learn below). Let’s expand our vocabularies with some unusual antonyms for common words.
Diurnal / Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are those that are active during the night and sleep in the daytime hours, such as owls, bats, and opossums. Diurnal animals are the opposite — they sleep during the night and are active during the day. Humans are naturally diurnal but can operate on a different schedule if required.
Dysphemism / Euphemism
When you substitute an agreeable expression for an offensive one, you’re using a euphemism. The opposite is a dysphemism, which can be a derogatory word or a phrase intended to offend or antagonize. Slurs and insults are examples of dysphemisms.
Eucatastrophe / Catastrophe
While a catastrophe is an event that causes great suffering and damage, J.R.R. Tolkien coined the word “eucatastrophe” to mean a “good and sudden turn.” Essentially, the term describes a massive change in fortune for the better. In a eucatastrophe, instead of everything falling apart (as in a catastrophe), everything becomes good very quickly.
Eustress / Distress
As in the pattern of “eucatastrophe” and “catastrophe,” the prefix “eu-” comes from the Greek for “well.” To be in distress means you’re experiencing extreme anxiety or pain; the opposite is eustress, which literally means “good stress.” The term was coined by an endocrinologist to describe the positive feelings that can come from rising to challenges.
Heteromation / Automation
When machines or electronic devices, rather than humans, perform an operation, it’s done by automation (from the Latin automaticus, meaning “acting of itself”). But what about the work done by humans? This is heteromation. It’s not an exact antonym to “automation,” as it doesn’t describe any work not done by a computer, such as folding laundry, but it refers to tasks done in a computerized world that are difficult for a computer to do correctly. Think: crafting social media posts, organizational tasks, and creative labor. The term “heteromation” was coined in a 2017 book written by computer science professors Hamid Ekbia and Bonnie A. Nardi.
Jamais Vu / Déjà vu
Déjà vu is the feeling that you’ve seen or experienced something before, though it’s likely impossible. The opposite is called “jamais vu,” which translates from French as “never seen”; it loosely means the feeling upon encountering a word or situation and not recognizing it momentarily. It’s common in patients with brain injury, but anyone can induce the feeling by repeating a word over and over again. For example, in one study, subjects were asked to write “door” repeatedly. After 60 seconds, some reported that it “sounded like a made-up word.”
Maculate / Immaculate
If something is immaculate, it is perfectly clean, neat, and tidy. However, did you know an item can be maculate? This antonym means it’s soiled or stained. Adding the prefix “im-” (meaning “not”) makes all the difference between the two words.
Onymous / Anonymous
People who haven’t been identified by name are anonymous. The opposite of that term is “onymous.” This half-finished-looking word means “bearing a name.” The word is rarely used, but it is indeed an antonym for the much more recognizable “anonymous.”
Prepone / Postpone
You can postpone an event by arranging for it to take place at a later date. But you could also prepone by moving it up earlier on the calendar. This may seem like a made-up word (all words are), but it might be a very useful term in jam-packed busy schedules that require some juggling.
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