English Synonyms and Antonyms — Conquer to Criminal

beat, humble, overthrow, subject, checkmate, master, prevail over, subjugate, crush, overcome, put down, surmount, defeat, overmaster, reduce, vanquish, discomfit, overmatch, rout, win, down, overpower, subdue, worst.

To _defeat_ an enemy is to gain an advantage for the time; to _vanquish_ is to win a signal victory; to _conquer_ is to _overcome_ so effectually that the victory is regarded as final.

_Conquer_, in many cases, carries the idea of possession; as, to _conquer_ respect, affection, peace, etc. A country is _conquered_ when its armies are defeated and its territory is occupied by the enemy; it may be _subjected_ to indemnity or to various disabilities; it is _subjugated_ when it is held helplessly and continuously under military control; it is _subdued_ when all resistance has died out.

An army is _defeated_ when forcibly driven back; it is _routed_ when it is converted into a mob of fugitives.

Compare BEAT.

Antonyms: capitulate, fail, fly, lose, retire, submit, surrender, cede, fall, forfeit, resign, retreat, succumb, yield.

* * * * * CONSCIOUS.

Synonyms: advised, assured, certain, cognizant, sensible, apprised, aware, certified, informed, sure.

One is _aware_ of that which exists without him; he is _conscious_ of the inner workings of his own mind.

_Sensible_ may be used in the exact sense of _conscious_, or it may partake of both the senses mentioned above.

One may be _sensible_ of his own or another's error; he is _conscious_ only of his own.

A person may feel _assured_ or _sure_ of something false or non-existent; what he is _aware_ of, still more what he is _conscious_ of, must be fact.

_Sensible_ has often a reference to the emotions where _conscious_ might apply only to the intellect; to say a culprit is _sensible_ of his degradation is more forcible than to say he is _conscious_ of it.

Antonyms: cold, dead, deaf, ignorant, insensible, unaware, unconscious.

Preposition: On the stormy sea, man is conscious _of_ the limitation of human power.

* * * * * CONSEQUENCE.

Synonyms: consequent, end, issue, outgrowth, sequel, effect, event, outcome, result, upshot.

_Effect_ is the strongest of these words; it is that which is directly produced by the action of an efficient cause; we say, "Every _effect_ must have an adequate cause" (compare CAUSE).

In regard to human actions, _effect_ commonly relates to intention; as, the shot took _effect_, _i.

e. _, the _effect_ intended.

A _consequence_ is that which follows an act naturally, but less directly than the _effect_.

The motion of the piston is the _effect_, and the agitation of the water under the paddle-wheels a _consequence_ of the expansion of steam in the cylinder.

The _result_ is, literally, the rebound of an act, depending on many elements; the _issue_ is that which flows forth directly; we say the _issue_ of a battle, the _result_ of a campaign.

A _consequent_ commonly is that which follows simply in order of time, or by logical inference.

The _end_ is the actual _outcome_ without determination of its relation to what has gone before; it is ordinarily viewed as either the necessary, natural, or logical _outcome_, any _effect_, _consequence_, or _result_ being termed an _end_; as, the _end_ of such a course must be ruin.

The _event_ (L. _e_, out, and _venio_, come) is primarily exactly the same in meaning as _outcome_; but in use it is more nearly equivalent to _upshot_ signifying the sum and substance of all _effects_, _consequences_, and _results_ of a course of action.

Compare ACCIDENT; CAUSE; CIRCUMSTANCE; END; EVENT.

* * * * * CONSOLE.

Synonyms: comfort, condole with, encourage, sympathize with.

One _condoles with_ another by the expression of kindly sympathy in his trouble; he _consoles_ him by considerations adapted to soothe and sustain the spirit, as by the assurances and promises of the gospel; he _encourages_ him by the hope of some relief or deliverance; he _comforts_ him by whatever act or word tends to bring mind or body to a state of rest and cheer.

We _sympathize with_ others, not only in sorrow, but in joy.

Compare ALLEVIATE; PITY.

Antonyms: annoy, distress, disturb, grieve, hurt, sadden, trouble, wound.

* * * * * CONTAGION.

Synonym: infection.

_Infection_ is frequently confused with _contagion_, even by medical men.

The best usage now limits _contagion_ to diseases that are transmitted by contact with the diseased person, either directly by touch or indirectly by use of the same articles, by breath, effluvia, etc. _Infection_ is applied to diseases produced by no known or definable influence of one person upon another, but where common climatic, malarious, or other wide-spread conditions are believed to be chiefly instrumental.

* * * * * CONTINUAL.

Synonyms: ceaseless, incessant, regular, uninterrupted, constant, invariable, unbroken, unremitting, continuous, perpetual, unceasing, unvarying.

_Continuous_ describes that which is absolutely without pause or break;

_continual_, that which often intermits, but as regularly begins again.

A _continuous_ beach is exposed to the _continual_ beating of the waves.

A similar distinction is made between _incessant_ and _ceaseless_.

The _incessant_ discharge of firearms makes the _ceaseless_ roar of battle.

_Constant_ is sometimes used in the sense of _continual_; but its chief uses are mental and moral.

* * * * * CONTRACT.

Synonyms: agreement, cartel, engagement, pledge, arrangement, compact, obligation, promise, bargain, covenant, pact, stipulation.

All these words involve at least two parties, tho an _engagement_ or _promise_ may be the act of but one.

A _contract_ is a formal agreement between two or more parties for the doing or leaving undone some specified act or acts, and is ordinarily in writing.

Mutual _promises_ may have the force of a _contract_.

A consideration, or compensation, is essential to convert an _agreement_ into a _contract_.

A _contract_ may be oral or written.

A _covenant_ in law is a written _contract_ under seal.

_Covenant_ is frequent in religious usage, as _contract_ is in law and business.

_Compact_ is essentially the same as _contract_, but is applied to international _agreements_, treaties, etc. A _bargain_ is a mutual _agreement_ for an exchange of values, without the formality of a _contract_.

A _stipulation_ is a single item in an _agreement_ or _contract_.

A _cartel_ is a military _agreement_ for the exchange of prisoners or the like.

* * * * * CONTRAST.

Synonyms: compare, differentiate, discriminate, oppose.

To _compare_ (L. _con_, together, and _par_, equal) is to place together in order to show likeness or unlikeness; to _contrast_ (L. _contra_, against, and _sto_, stand) is to set in opposition in order to show unlikeness.

We _contrast_ objects that have been already _compared_.

We must _compare_ them, at least momentarily, even to know that they are different.

We _contrast_ them when we observe their unlikeness in a general way; we _differentiate_ them when we note the difference exactly and point by point.

We distinguish objects when we note a difference that may fall short of _contrast_; we _discriminate_ them when we classify or place them according to their differences.

Preposition: We contrast one object _with_ another.

* * * * * CONVERSATION.

Synonyms: chat, communion, converse, intercourse, colloquy, confabulation, dialogue, parley, communication, conference, discourse, talk.

_Conversation_ (Latin _con_, with) is, etymologically, an interchange of ideas with some other person or persons.

_Talk_ may be wholly one-sided.

Many brilliant talkers have been incapable of _conversation_.

There may be _intercourse_ without _conversation_, as by looks, signs, etc. ; _communion_ is of hearts, with or without words; _communication_ is often by writing, and may be uninvited and unreciprocated.

_Talk_ may denote the mere utterance of words with little thought; thus, we say idle _talk_, empty _talk_, rather than idle or empty _conversation_.

_Discourse_ is now applied chiefly to public addresses.

A _conference_ is more formal than a _conversation_.

_Dialog_ denotes ordinarily an artificial or imaginary _conversation_, generally of two persons, but sometimes of more.

A _colloquy_ is indefinite as to number, and generally somewhat informal.

Compare BEHAVIOR.

Prepositions: Conversation _with_ friends; _between_ or _among_ the guests; _about_ a matter.

* * * * * CONVERT.

Synonyms: disciple, neophyte, proselyte.

The name _disciple_ is given to the follower of a certain faith, without reference to any previous belief or allegiance; a _convert_ is a person who has come to one faith from a different belief or from unbelief.

A

_proselyte_ is one who has been led to accept a religious system, whether with or without true faith; a _convert_ is always understood to be a believer.

A _neophyte_ is a new _convert_, not yet fully indoctrinated, or not admitted to full privileges.

The antonyms _apostate_, _pervert_, and _renegade_ are condemnatory names applied to the _convert_ by those whose faith he forsakes.

* * * * * CONVEY.

Synonyms: carry, give, remove, shift, transmit, change, move, sell, transfer, transport.

_Convey_, _transmit_, and _transport_ all imply delivery at a destination; as, I will _convey_ the information to your friend; air _conveys_ sound (to a listener); _carry_ does not necessarily imply delivery, and often does not admit of it.

A man _carries_ an appearance, _conveys_ an impression, the appearance remaining his own, the impression being given to another; I will _transmit_ the letter;

_transport_ the goods.

A horse _carries_ his mane and tail, but does not _convey_ them.

_Transfer_ may or may not imply delivery to another person; as, items may be _transferred_ from one account to another or a word _transferred_ to the following line.

In law, real estate, which can not be moved, is _conveyed_ by simply _transferring_ title and possession.

_Transport_ usually refers to material, _transfer_, _transmit_, and _convey_ may refer to immaterial objects; we _transfer_ possession, _transmit_ intelligence, _convey_ ideas, but do not _transport_ them.

In the case of _convey_ the figurative sense now predominates.

Compare CARRY.

Antonyms: cling to, hold, keep, possess, preserve, retain.

Prepositions: Convey _to_ a friend, a purchaser, etc. ; convey _from_ the house _to_ the station; convey _by_ express, _by_ hand, etc. * * * * * CONVOKE.

Synonyms: assemble, call together, convene, muster, call, collect, gather, summon.

A convention is _called_ by some officer or officers, as by its president, its executive committee, or some eminent leaders; the delegates are _assembled_ or _convened_ in a certain place, at a certain hour.

_Convoke_ implies an organized body and a superior authority;

_assemble_ and _convene_ express more independent action; Parliament is _convoked_; Congress _assembles_.

Troops are _mustered_; witnesses and jurymen are _summoned_.

Antonyms: adjourn, disband, dismiss, dissolve, scatter, break up, discharge, disperse, prorogue, separate.

* * * * * CRIMINAL.

Synonyms: abominable, flagitious, immoral, sinful, vile, culpable, guilty, iniquitous, unlawful, wicked, felonious, illegal, nefarious, vicious, wrong.

Every _criminal_ act is _illegal_ or _unlawful_, but _illegal_ or _unlawful_ acts may not be _criminal_.

Offenses against public law are _criminal_; offenses against private rights are merely _illegal_ or _unlawful_.

As a general rule, all acts punishable by fine or imprisonment or both, are _criminal_ in view of the law.

It is _illegal_ for a man to trespass on another's land, but it is not _criminal_; the trespasser is liable to a civil suit for damages, but not to indictment, fine, or imprisonment.

A _felonious_ act is a _criminal_ act of an aggravated kind, which is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary or by death.

A _flagitious_ crime is one that brings public odium.

_Vicious_ refers to the indulgence of evil appetites, habits, or passions; _vicious_ acts are not necessarily _criminal_, or even _illegal_; we speak of a _vicious_ horse.

That which is _iniquitous_, _i.

e. _, contrary to equity, may sometimes be done under the forms of law.

Ingratitude is _sinful_, hypocrisy is _wicked_, but neither is punishable by human law; hence, neither is _criminal_ or _illegal_.

Compare SIN.

Antonyms: innocent, lawful, meritorious, right, just, legal, moral, virtuous.