English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 21

a.s.sURANCE.

Synonyms:

arrogance, boldness, impudence, self-confidence, a.s.sertion, confidence, presumption, self-reliance, a.s.sumption, effrontery, self-a.s.sertion, trust.

_a.s.surance_ may have the good sense of a high, sustained _confidence_ and _trust_; as, the saint's _a.s.surance_ of heaven. _Confidence_ is founded upon reasons; _a.s.surance_ is largely a matter of feeling. In the bad sense, _a.s.surance_ is a vicious courage, with belief of one's ability to outwit or defy others; the hardened criminal is remarkable for habitual _a.s.surance_. For the calm conviction of one's own rect.i.tude and ability, _self-confidence_ is a better word than _a.s.surance_; _self-reliance_ expresses confidence in one's own resources, independently of others' aid. In the bad sense _a.s.surance_ is less gross than _impudence_, which is (according to its etymology) a shameless _boldness_. _a.s.surance_ is in act or manner; _impudence_ may be in speech. _Effrontery_ is _impudence_ defiantly displayed. Compare FAITH; PRIDE.

Antonyms:

bashfulness, consternation, distrust, hesitancy, shyness, confusion, dismay, doubt, misgiving, timidity.

ASTUTE.

Synonyms:

acute, discerning, penetrating, sharp, clear-sighted, discriminating, penetrative, shrewd, crafty, keen, perspicacious, subtile, cunning, knowing, sagacious, subtle.

_Acute_, from the Latin, suggests the sharpness of the needle's point; _keen_, from the Saxon, the sharpness of the cutting edge. _Astute_, from the Latin, with the original sense of _cunning_ has come to have a meaning that combines the sense of _acute_ or _keen_ with that of _sagacious_. The _astute_ mind adds to _acuteness_ and _keenness_ an element of cunning or finesse. The _astute_ debater leads his opponents into a snare by getting them to make admissions, or urge arguments, of which he sees a result that they do not perceive. The _acute_, _keen_ intellect may take no special advantage of these qualities; the _astute_ mind has always a point to make for itself, and seldom fails to make it.

A _knowing_ look, air, etc., in general indicates practical knowledge with a touch of shrewdness, and perhaps of cunning; in regard to some special matter, it indicates the possession of reserved knowledge which the person could impart if he chose. _Knowing_ has often a slightly invidious sense. We speak of a _knowing_ rascal, meaning _cunning_ or _shrewd_ within a narrow range, but of a _knowing_ horse or dog, in the sense of _sagacious_, implying that he knows more than could be expected of such an animal. A _knowing_ child has more knowledge than would be looked for at his years, perhaps more than is quite desirable, while to speak of a child as _intelligent_ is altogether complimentary.

Antonyms:

blind, idiotic, shallow, stolid, undiscerning, dull, imbecile, short-sighted, stupid, unintelligent.

ATTACHMENT.

Synonyms:

adherence, devotion, friendship, regard, adhesion, esteem, inclination, tenderness, affection, estimation, love, union.

An _attachment_ is a feeling that binds a person by ties of heart to another person or thing; we speak of a man's _adherence_ to his purpose, his _adhesion_ to his party, or to anything to which he clings tenaciously, tho with no special tenderness; of his _attachment_ to his church, to the old homestead, or to any persons or objects that he may hold dear. _Affection_ expresses more warmth of feeling; we should not speak of a mother's _attachment_ to her babe, but of her _affection_ or of her _devotion_. _Inclination_ expresses simply a tendency, which may be good or bad, yielded to or overcome; as, an _inclination_ to study; an _inclination_ to drink. _Regard_ is more distant than _affection_ or _attachment_, but closer and warmer than _esteem_; we speak of high _esteem_, kind _regard_. Compare ACQUAINTANCE; APPENDAGE; FRIENDSHIP; LOVE; UNION.

Antonyms:

alienation, aversion, distance, estrangement, repugnance, animosity, coolness, divorce, indifference, separation, antipathy, dislike, enmity, opposition, severance.

Prepositions:

Attachment _of_ a true man _to_ his friends; attachment _to_ a leader _for_ his n.o.bility of character; the attachments _between_ two persons or things; attachment _by_ muscular fibers, or _by_ a rope, etc.

ATTACK, _v._

Synonyms:

a.s.sail, beset, combat, invade, a.s.sault, besiege, encounter, set upon, beleaguer, charge, fall upon, storm.

To _attack_ is to begin hostilities of any kind. A general _invades_ a country by marching in troops; he _attacks_ a city by drawing up an army against it; he _a.s.saults_ it by hurling his troops directly upon its defenses. _a.s.sail_ and _a.s.sault_, tho of the same original etymology, have diverged in meaning, so that _a.s.sault_ alone retains the meaning of direct personal violence. One may _a.s.sail_ another with reproaches; he _a.s.saults_ him with a blow, a brandished weapon, etc. Armies or squadrons _charge_; _combat_ and _encounter_ may be said of individual contests. To _beset_ is to set around, or, so to speak, to stud one's path, with menaces, attacks, or persuasions. To _besiege_ and _beleaguer_ are the acts of armies. To _encounter_ is to meet face to face, and may be said either of the _attacking_ or of the resisting force or person, or of both.

Antonyms:

aid, cover, protect, shelter, support, uphold, befriend, defend, resist, shield, sustain, withstand.

Prepositions:

We were attacked _by_ the enemy _with_ cannon and musketry.

ATTACK, _n._

Synonyms:

aggression, incursion, invasion, onslaught, a.s.sault, infringement, onset, trespa.s.s.

encroachment, intrusion,

An _attack_ may be by word; an _aggression_ is always by deed. An _a.s.sault_ may be upon the person, an _aggression_ is upon rights, possessions, etc. An _invasion_ of a nation's territories is an act of _aggression_; an _intrusion_ upon a neighboring estate is a _trespa.s.s_.

_Onslaught_ signifies intensely violent _a.s.sault_, as by an army or a desperado, tho it is sometimes used of violent speech.

Antonyms:

defense, repulsion, resistance, retreat, submission, surrender.

Prepositions:

The enemy made an attack _upon_ (or _on_) our works.

ATTAIN.