In semantics, what does the term 'opposite' refer to?

In semantics, the term 'opposite' specifically refers to antonyms. Antonyms are words that have contrasting meanings. For instance, the words "hot" and "cold" serve as antonyms because they describe opposing temperatures. This concept is central to understanding language as it allows us to articulate differences in meaning more clearly. By recognizing antonyms, we can enhance our vocabulary and improve our ability to convey precise thoughts and ideas.

Other options, such as synonyms, connotations, and denotations, represent different linguistic relationships. Synonyms refer to words that have similar meanings, connotations involve the emotional or cultural associations related to a word beyond its literal meaning, and denotations refer to the strict, literal meanings of words. While these concepts are all essential to semantics, none directly correspond to the idea of opposites as antonyms do.