11+ Antonyms: Word List, Examples & Practice
Antonyms (GL Type B) appear in every GL Verbal Reasoning paper. This guide covers what antonyms are, how they're tested, and includes a curated list of antonym pairs at 11+ level.
What Are Antonyms?
An antonym is a word that is opposite in meaning to another word. In 11+ GL exams, the antonym question (Type B) asks children to select the word that is most opposite in meaning to the given word from five options.
Example (GL Type B format):
Which word is most opposite in meaning to MAGNANIMOUS?
MAGNANIMOUS = generous and forgiving. The opposite is "petty" — small-minded and mean-spirited.
11+ Antonym Word Pairs
Practise 11+ Antonyms with Antonym Attack
Antonym Attack is a fast-paced game targeting GL Type B questions. 500+ antonym questions, adaptive difficulty, and explanations for every answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antonym?
An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. For example, "hot" and "cold" are antonyms, as are "love" and "hate". In 11+ exams, children must find the word that is most opposite in meaning.
How are antonyms tested in GL Type B questions?
GL Type B presents a word and asks children to choose the word most opposite in meaning from five options. The difficulty lies in distinguishing between words that are nearly opposite versus precisely opposite, and in knowing enough vocabulary to identify the best choice.
Are antonyms just opposites?
Mostly yes, but some words have several valid antonyms with subtle differences. For example, the antonym of "brave" could be "cowardly", "timid", or "fearful" — all correct, but in different contexts. The 11+ exam usually asks for the "best" or "closest" opposite.
Should my child learn synonyms and antonyms together?
Yes — learning word families together is highly effective. When your child learns a new word, also learn its synonyms, antonyms, and example sentence. This creates a rich mental network that makes vocabulary much more robust for both GL and CEM papers.