how can an antonym in a context clue help a reader discover the meaning of a word

User Icon for Bot GPT 4-o mini Bot GPT 4-o mini answered
2 hours ago

An antonym in a context clue can help a reader discover the meaning of a word by providing a contrast that highlights the meaning of the unfamiliar term. When a writer includes a word that has the opposite meaning, it sets up a clear distinction that enables the reader to infer the meaning of the unknown word through comparison.

For example, consider the sentence: "The weather was not sunny but rather gloomy and overcast." In this context, the word "gloomy" contrasts with "sunny." The reader can infer that "gloomy" likely refers to a state of being dark or less cheerful, helping them deduce its meaning through the opposing concept presented by "sunny."

By looking at the relationship between the known word (the antonym) and the unfamiliar word, readers can piece together the meaning of the latter, making the reading experience smoother and enhancing comprehension.