by Damon Suede
railroad, rake, rankle, ransack, ransom, rape, rattle, razor, read, reassure, -rebuff, rebuke, rebut, reconstruct, redact, redirect, reference, refute, regret, regulate, reinvestigate, remind, repay, repent, -repudiate, request, research, resent, restrict, retain, retrace, retract, retrain, reveal, revenge, reverse, review, rig, rile, rip, risk, rivet, rob, romanticize, rook, root, rout
sabotage, sadden, sanction, savage, scam, scandalize, scapegoat, scare, schmooze, school, scoop, score, scour, scramble, scrap, scratch, screen, screw, scrub, scruple, scrutinize, search, secrete, secure, seize, sell, sentence, sequester, sever, shadow, shake, shame, shanghai, shank, shield, shiv, shred, shroud, shuffle, -sidestep, sidetrack, sift, silence, simplify, simulate, siphon, skew, skim, slander, slash, slice, slow, slur, smear, smother, smuggle, snag, snare, snatch, sneak, sniff, snooker, soap, soil, solicit, solve, sour, spearhead, spend, spike, spitball, split, sponge, sponsor, spoon-feed, spotlight, spy, squander, square, squeeze, squirrel, stain, stalk, stall, startle, stash, steal, steep, stifle, stigmatize, sting, stipulate, stir, stoke, stonewall, strong-arm, study, stump, stun, stunt, stymie, submerge, suborn, subpoena, substantiate, subtract, sucker, sue, suffer, sugar, surf, surface, surpass, suspect, suss, swamp, sway, sweep, sweet-talk, swindle, swipe, switch
tabulate, tail, tame, tangle, target, tatter, tease, terminate, test, testify, threaten, throttle, throw, thump, tidy, tie, torment, trace, track, trade, trail, translate, trap, trash, trawl, trick, trigger, trouble, trounce, tuck, twist
uncomplicate, uncover, uncrumple, uncuff, undercut, undo, undress, unearth, unmask, unnerve, unpack, unravel, unscramble, unskew, unspool, untangle, uphold, urge
validate, vamp, vandalize, ventilate, verify, victimize, vilify, villainize, vindicate, violate, -void, vow
waive, wangle, waste, weasel, wedge, weed, weigh, weight, whack, wheedle, whitewash, whore, wind, wiretap, withhold, witness, wonder, worm, worry, wrap, wring, wrinkle, wrong
x-ray
Paranormal & Urban Fantasy
Representative Authors and Titles
• Jim Butcher, Storm Front
• Mike Carey, The Devil You Know
• Mercedes Lackey, The Serpent’s Shadow
• China Miéville, Perdido Street Station
• Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire
• Nalini Singh, Slave to Sensation
• Chris Wooding, The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray
-abandon, abdicate, abduct, abolish, absorb, accelerate, access, acclimate, accrue, acquire, activate, adapt, admonish, adopt, adulterate, adumbrate, advance, advise, advocate, affirm, aggrandize, alarm, alert, alienate, alleviate, ally, alter, amaze, anguish, animate, annex, anoint, apotheosize, arouse, ascertain, assail, assault, assert, assess, assimilate, assure, astonish, astound, attach, attract, attune, augment, authorize, avenge, -avert, await, awaken, awe
balance, ban, banish, baptize, bar, bash, bathe, beat, beatify, beckon, bedevil, bedraggle, beg, beguile, bemuse, bequeath, bestialize, bestow, betray, bewilder, bewitch, bite, blacken, blast, blemish, bless, blight, blind, blot, blur, boast, bolster, boost, borrow, bowdlerize, box, brainwash, break, brighten, brush, buoy, burden, burst, bury, bushwhack, bust, butcher, buttress
cache, cage, call, camouflage, cannibalize, captivate, capture, carve, cast, catalyze, categorize, cauterize, caution, cement, censure, chain, champion, change, charge, charm, chase, check, cherish, chisel, choose, chronicle, circumscribe, claim, claw, cleanse, climb, clothe, cloud, coach, color, comfort, command, commingle, complete, conceal, concretize, condense, confess, confide, confirm, confiscate, conflate, conjecture, conjure, consolidate, consume, consummate, contaminate, contort, contract, contravene, contribute, control, convert, convince, correct, couch, counter, counterfeit, court, cow, crack, craft, crave, craze, crisp, crossbreed, crown, crucify, crush, crystallize, cull, curse, curtail
damage, damn, darken, dash, daunt, daze, dazzle, debilitate, decant, deepen, deep-six, deface, defang, defeat, defend, defile, deflate, deflower, deform, defy, deify, delegate, delight, delouse, demand, demean, demonize, demystify, denigrate, deplete, deprave, depredate, deprive, deride, desecrate, designate, destine, destroy, detect, dethrone, develop, devour, diagnose, dictate, diffuse, digest, dirty, disabuse, disaffect, disappoint, disbelieve, discern, discipline, disclose, disconcert, -discount, discredit, -disdain, disenchant, disfavor, disgorge, disguise, disjoint, dislodge, dismantle, disobey, dispel, display, disprove, -disregard, dissolve, dissuade, distill, distrust, divine, divulge, domesticate, dominate, domineer, donate, doom, doubt, douse, downplay, drag, drain, draw, dread, dredge, drench, dress, drill, drink, drown, drug
educate, efface, elicit, emancipate, embalm, embed, embody, embrace, embroider, empty, enchant, encircle, encrypt, endanger, enervate, enfold, engender, engross, engulf, enlighten, enrapture, enslave, ensorcel, ensoul, enthrall, enthrone, entrance, entrust, entwine, envelop, erase, escort, establish, eternalize, evacuate, -evade, evaluate, evoke, exact, exalt, excite, excuse, exempt, exert, exhume, exile, exorcise, expedite, expel, expiate, expose, expound, express, externalize, extirpate, extort, extract, extricate, eyeball
familiarize, fascinate, father, fathom, faze, fear, feed, feign, fell, festoon, fetch, fetishize, fetter, fixate, flay, flout, flush, follow, forage, -forbid, forfeit, formulate, fossilize, foster, foul, fracture, frighten, frogmarch, fuel, fulfill, further, fuse
gainsay, garner, gash, gather, glamour, glean, glorify, goad, gobble, gobsmack, gore, graft, greenlight, greet, groom, group, guarantee, guard, guide, guzzle
hallow, hammer, handpick, harbinger, harbor, harden, harm, harpoon, harvest, haunt, heal, heat, hex, hide, hobble, hornswoggle, hospitalize, host, humble, hunt, husband, hustle, hybridize, hypnotize
ignite, illustrate, imbibe, imitate, immerse, immortalize, impair, impale, imperil, impersonate, implant, implore, impregnate, imprison, incapacitate, include, incubate, indoctrinate, induct, infect, infest, infiltrate, influence, inherit, inhibit, initiate, injure, innovate, inoculate, inspire, instruct, insulate, insult, integrate, interbreed, internalize, interrogate, intrigue, introduce, intuit, invoke, involve, isolate
jangle, jar, jeopardize, jinx, join, juxtapose
keep, kidnap, kindle, knot
lacerate, lambaste, lament, leach, lead, leash, leech, legalize, levy, liberate, limit, locate, lock, loose, lull
magnetize, magnify, maintain, maledict, manacle, mangle, manifest, manumit, mar, maraud, martyr, materialize, maul, medicate, meld, mellow, menace, mentor, mesmerize, metabolize, midwife, mimic, minimize, mishandle, misinterpret, misread, mistake, mistreat, mix, mobilize, mock, mold, mollify, monitor, muddy, muster, mutate, muzzle, mystify
name, navigate, -neglect, neutralize, nonplus, normalize, nourish, numb, nurse, nurture, nuzzle
obey, obligate, obliterate, obscure, occult, offend, orbit, order, originate, -ostracize, oust, outgrow, outlast, outlaw, overrule, overtake, overthrow, overturn, overwhelm
parent, pave, paw, penalize, perfect, permeate, perplex, personify, pervert, petition, petrify, pigeonhole, pillory, placate, plaster, plead, plunder, plunge, poison, possess, post, power, preach, predict, preserve, probe, procure, produce, profane, profile, proliferate, promote, prompt, prop, propel, prophesy, propitiate, proselytize, protect, prove, provide, provoke, prowl, pulverize, pummel, puncture, purify, pursue
quantify, question, quieten
raid, raise, rarefy, rationalize, ravish, reactivate, read, realign, reanimate, reap, rear, reassemble, reassure, -rebuff, recruit, referee, reflect, refract, refresh, refurbish, -refuse, regain, regenerate, rein, reinforce, -reject, rejigger, rejuvenate, release, relegate, relinquish, relocate, rend, renew, -renounce, reorient, repel, reproduce, repulse, rescue, reserve, reshape, restimulate, resurrect, reunite, reveal, reverence, revitalize, revive, revoke, rip, risk, ritualize, rive, roughen, rouse, rue, rule
sacrifice, safeguard, salt, salvage, sample, sanctify, sap, savage, scald, scapegoat, scare, scatter, scavenge, scent, scorch, scourge, scratch, sculpt, seclud
e, second, sedate, seduce, seek, segregate, seize, select, sensationalize, sense, sequester, serve, set, shackle, shadow, shatter, shed, shelter, shepherd, shift, shock, show, shrivel, -shun, shut, sicken, sift, signify, singe, sizzle, slather, slaughter, slug, smash, smear, smell, smite, smother, smuggle, snare, snatch, sniff, snow, sober, soil, solicit, solidify, sort, sour, span, spank, spark, spawn, specify, spellbind, splice, splinter, split, spoil, spook, spoor, spot, spread, spring, spruce, spur, -spurn, squander, squelch, stagger, stain, stake, stalk, startle, steer, stipulate, stir, stoke, stomach, stonewall, strangle, strengthen, strike, study, stump, stun, stymie, subdue, subjugate, submit, subordinate, suborn, substantiate, suck, suckle, suffuse, sugarcoat, sully, summon, sunder, supplant, support, surfeit, surpass, survive, suspect, suspend, sustain, swallow, swamp, swear, synthesize
taint, tame, tantalize, tap, target, tarnish, taste, teach, tear, tender, tether, thrash, threaten, tighten, tilt, tone, torch, torment, torpefy, torture, touch, toughen, track, train, transcend, transfigure, transfix, transform, transgress, transmit, transmute, transplant, trap, traumatize, treasure, trespass, trigger, trivialize, tug, tune, tutor, tweak
unbind, uncover, undermine, underpin, unearth, unfasten, unfetter, unfold, unify, unleash, unlock, unmask, unravel, unseal, unseat, unshackle, uphold, uplift, uproot, upstage, usurp
vaccinate, validate, vamp, venerate, verify, violate, vitiate, vivisect, vocalize, vouchsafe
wag, ward, warn, warrant, wean, weave, weigh, welcome, weld, whammy, wield, wind, witch, witness, wizen, wolf, wonder, worm, worship, wound, wow, wrap, wreck, wrest, wring
yoke
zap
Romance
Representative Authors and Titles
• Loretta Chase, Lord of Scoundrels
• Georgette Heyer, The Grand Sophy
• Beverly Jenkins, Indigo
• Susan Elizabeth Phillips, It Had to be You
• Nora Roberts, Montana Sky
• LaVyrle Spencer, Morning Glory
• Mary Stewart, Nine Coaches Waiting
With romance in particular, the antonymic relationship between the actions of the main characters becomes essential. Because of the need for constant, fascinating tension between the lovers, actions need to be primal and oppositional to map out a satisfying emotional landscape. Some classic pairings from the genre’s canonic titles include: protect/risk, chase/escape, puzzle/solve, preserve/provoke, corrupt/redeem, explore/ignore, sweeten/sour, disguise/expose, demand/defy, heal/harm, muscle/mind, pierce/block, build/demolish, gamble/plan, tame/unleash, avenge/forgive, bind/free, corrupt/purify, freeze/melt, catch/release, wreck/repair, believe/deceive, feed/starve, blame/forgive, rush/slow, rule/ruin, judge/pardon, amplify/simplify, guard/attack, dull/sharpen, rock/steady, torture/nurture.
Giving your duo a pair of dazzling antonyms can practically write the book for you, because a great action (and the attendant tactics) supplies your story with a range of interesting contrasts and potential confrontations. Consider the sheer range of antonyms for
• Secure ≠ lose, attack, expose, unleash, endanger, drop, oppose, traumatize
• Entice ≠ repulse, terrorize, upset, bore, offend, insult, discourage, expel
• Defile ≠ cleanse, worship, scour, sanitize, bless, scold, sterilize, purify
• Confess ≠ withhold, dispute, betray, mask, conceal, mislead, accuse, swindle
Each of those actions encompasses a swath of behavior, leaving all kinds of dramatic potential on hand for those hot opposites that need attracting. When verbalizing your couple, don’t forget the complexity of verbs that allow for a broad spectrum of antonyms with different connotations. The spectrum of oppositions will result in variegated, flexible relationships with room to develop on the page.
-abandon, abide, abolish, accentuate, accept, accommodate, accost, acknowledge, actualize, addle, adjust, adore, advance, advantage, advocate, affront, aggravate, agitate, aid, alienate, allege, allure, amplify, amuse, anchor, anger, annoy, anticipate, appraise, appreciate, approach, arbitrate, arouse, arrogate, assess, assist, assuage, assure, attack, attract, attune, audition, avenge, -avert, awaken, award
back, backbite, bait, bandy, bankroll, battle, bear, beautify, bed, beg, beguile, bejewel, believe, bend, benefit, besiege, besmirch, bestow, betray, better, bewitch, bias, bind, blame, blandish, blast, blend, blind, block, blurt, bolster, book, borrow, bother, bounce, brace, brave, breathe, brew, bribe, broach, broaden, buck, budget, buffer, build, bulldoze, burn, burnish, bury, butter, buttress
cadge, cajole, -cancel, captivate, capture, carry, castigate, catch, celebrate, center, chaff, chagrin, chair, challenge, champion, chaperone, charge, charm, chase, chastise, check, cherish, chide, chill, choose, choreograph, civilize, claim, clasp, clean, clear, clobber, clutch, coax, coddle, combat, comfort, command, commit, comp, compact, compartmentalize, compel, complement, compose, compound, compromise, conceal, condone, confide, confine, confound, confront, congratulate, consecrate, conserve, consign, console, consume, contact, contrive, control, convert, convince, cook, copy, correct, corrode, corrupt, cosset, cost, costume, counsel, counter, counteract, court, covet, cramp, crave, credit, crest, criticize, critique, cross, crown, crush, cuddle, cultivate, curb
damn, dandify, dare, deaden, debate, debauch, deceive, declare, dedicate, defame, defend, defer, deflate, deflower, defray, defrost, defy, delight, deliver, demand, demolish, demonize, -deny, deprave, deprive, -desert, desire, -despise, destabilize, destroy, devise, dictate, direct, disadvantage, disappoint, disarm, discombobulate, discomfit, discomfort, -discount, discountenance, discourage, disfavor, disguise, dish, dishevel, dishonor, disillusion, disobey, disorient, disparage, dispirit, displease, disqualify, diss, distress, distrust, -ditch, divorce, dizzy, dog, domesticate, dominate, dull, dump, dupe
ease, eclipse, edit, elaborate, elevate, elicit, -elude, embarrass, embellish, embrace, emulate, enable, enchant, encourage, encumber, endear, endure, energize, enhance, ennoble, enrage, enrapture, enrich, enshrine, ensnare, enthrall, entice, entitle, entrance, envelop, equalize, erode, -escape, esteem, estrange, -evade, evaluate, even, evince, exacerbate, exact, exaggerate, exalt, exasperate, excavate, exceed, exchange, -exclude, excuse, exempt, exhibit, exhilarate, expedite, expend, explore, expose, express
fabricate, face, facilitate, falsify, fancy, fascinate, fault, feature, feed, fence, fight, filter, finance, finesse, fire, flatter, flaunt, flavor, flip, follow, fool, -forbid, forfeit, forgive, fortify, foster, frazzle, free, freeze, fuel, furnish
galvanize, gamble, garnish, gate-crash, gild, glamorize, glitter, glitz, glue, goad, govern, grab, grace, grant, grasp, gratify, grill, groom, ground, guarantee, guard, guide, gussy
-halt, handle, harbor, harm, harmonize, harness, hassle, heal, heighten, hide, highlight, hinder, hold, honor, hook, host, hound, housetrain, humble, hurl, hurt
idealize, idolize, ignite, immortalize, impede, impel, impersonate, implore, improve, improvise, impugn, incense, incite, include, incommode, increase, induce, indulge, inflame, influence, infuriate, ingratiate, injure, insert, inspire, instigate, insult, insure, intensify, interrupt, intimate, intoxicate, intrigue, invalidate, inveigle, invent, invert, invigorate, invite, irk, irritate
jab, jilt, jinx, jolly, judge, juggle, jumble, justify
kick-start, kindle, knead, knock
land, lavish, lead, learn, leave, lend, level, light, litigate, loan, loosen, loot, lose, lubricate, lure
madden, magnify, malign, manage, mangle, manicure, market, marry, mask, massage, master, mediate, melt, menace, mend, mesmerize, mince, mine, mirror, misconstrue, misinform, misjudge, mislabel, mislead, mismatch, misplace, misrepresent, mistake, mistreat, misuse, mock, moderate, mold, monopolize, mooch, mother, motivate, mourn, move
nag, neaten, needle, -negate, negotiate, nettle, nitpick, nourish, nurse, nurture
obey, obscure, obsess, obstruct, offend, offer, oil, one-up, oppose, oppress, orchestrate, ornament, outfox, outshine, outsmart, outwit, overcommit, overdramatize,
overemphasize, overindulge, overspend, owe
package, pamper, parade, pardon, parry, partition, patronize, pause, paw, penetrate, perfect, permit, personalize, persuade, pester, pierce, pillage, plague, plan, play, plead, please, pleasure, pledge, plot, pluck, poeticize, polish, popularize, portray, possess, postpone, praise, predetermine, prejudge, preoccupy, prepare, prepossess, preserve, press, pressure, -prevent, prime, primp, prioritize, prize, proclaim, prod, -prohibit, project, prolong, promise, promote, prop, propose, protect, protest, prove, provide, provoke, prune, publicize, pull, punish, purify, pursue, push, puzzle
quash, quench, quicken, -quit, quiz
race, ram, rate, ravish, razzle-dazzle, reactivate, ream, rebuild, recapture, reclaim, reconcile, recover, rectify, redeem, reform, -refuse, regard, regret, rehabilitate, reinforce, reintegrate, reinvigorate, -reject, rekindle, relax, release, relieve, relinquish, relish, remind, renew, renovate, repair, repel, rephrase, replenish, represent, reproach, reprove, -repudiate, rescue, reserve, resist, resolve, respect, restore, restrain, retain, retort, retract, retrieve, reunite, revile, ridicule, rile, risk, rivet, roast, rock, roleplay, romanticize, rope, rouse, ruffle, ruin, rule, rumor, rumple, rush
sabotage, sacrifice, salvage, save, savor, scale, scandalize, schmooze, school, scold, -scorn, scotch, scramble, scrimp, script, sear, season, second, secure, seduce, seek, seize, sentimentalize, separate, serve, settle, shadow, shake, share, sharpen, shelter, shield, shift, -shirk, shoulder, showcase, shred, shuffle, sideline, simplify, skewer, skimp, slake, slam, slander, slap, slice, -slight, slow, smack, smooth, snag, -snub, soak, soap, soften, soft-sell, solicit, solve, soothe, sophisticate, sour, spackle, spank, spare, spark, spellbind, spend, spice, spiff, split, spoil, sponge, spoof, spotlight, spruce, spur, -spurn, squander, squire, stage-manage, stain, stale, starve, steady, steal, steam, steer, stereotype, stimulate, stint, stipulate, stir, stitch, stoke, straighten, streamline, strengthen, stroke, subdue, subvert, sucker, suffocate, supervise, support, surprise, surrender, sustain, sway, sweeten, switch