What do we call words that have opposite meanings?

Words that have opposite meanings are referred to as antonyms. Antonyms play a crucial role in language as they help convey contrast, enhancing understanding and expression in communication. For example, the words "hot" and "cold" are antonyms because they represent opposing concepts regarding temperature.

In contrast, synonyms are words that have similar meanings, and homonyms are words that sound the same or are spelled the same but have different meanings. An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning is not necessarily deducible from the individual words it contains. Understanding antonyms is essential for vocabulary development and enables the articulation of nuances in meaning.