Articles
| Open Access |
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37547/supsci-ojp-06-I3-35
ANTONYMY IN THE LEXICAL-SEMANTIC SYSTEM OF THE ARABIC LANGUAGE: A THEORETICAL INTERPRETATION OF THE PHENOMENA OF TAḌĀDD AND AL-AḌDĀD
Shukhrat M. Mirziyadov , Shokhida T. Khurmamatova ,Abstract
This article provides a theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of antonymy in the Arabic language within the framework of classical and modern approaches. It elucidates the terminological scope, classification, and interpretative mechanisms ofتضاد taḍādd – “opposition between two distinct lexemes” – andالأضداد al-aḍdād– “the concentration of opposite meanings within a single lexeme.” The study compares general semantics with the Arabic linguistic tradition and demonstrates methods of semantic determination through antonymy in lexicography and exegetical practice, particularly تفسير بالضد tafsīr bi-l-ḍidd. The novelty of the research lies in interpreting the issue of antonymy within an integrative model and clearly delimiting the scientific status of the phenomenon ofالأضداد al-aḍdādat the intersection of homonymy, polysemy, and pragmatics, based on classical debates and modern semantic categories.
As a result, antonymic relations in Arabic are systematized into gradable, complementary, conversive, and directional types. The factors underlying the emergence of الأضداد al-aḍdād as well as their functions in text and discourse are substantiated. It is scientifically demonstrated that a comprehensive understanding of antonymy in Arabic requires harmonizing historical-lexical heritage with modern semantic analysis, particularly emphasizing that taking الأضداد al-aḍdād into account in Qur’anic and exegetical contexts increases interpretative accuracy.
Keywords
antonymy;تَضَادّ taḍādd; الأَضْدَاد al-aḍdād, lexical-semantic relation; gradable antonyms; complementary antonyms; conversive antonyms; Arabic lexicography;تفسير بالضد tafsīr bi-l-ḍidd semantic-pragmatic interpretation.
References
Al-Anbarī, Abū al-Barakāt b. al-Mustanīr. (1987). The Book of Antonyms. Kitāb al-Aḍdād. – Beirut: al-Maktabah al-‘Aṣriyyah. 256 p. (in Arabic)
Al-Hedayani, R. (2016). Antonymy in Modern Standard Arabic. Doctoral dissertation. – Brighton: University of Sussex. 384 p. (in English)
Al-Khuli, M. A. (2003). The Science of Semantics. ’Ilm al-Dalālah. – Cairo: Maktabat al-Kulliyyāt al-Azhariyya. 384 p. (in Arabic)
Al-Yāsīn, Muḥammad Ḥasan. (1974). Antonyms in Language. al-Aḍdād fī al-Lugha. – Baghdad: Ma‘arif Publishing House. 200 p. (in Arabic)
Cruse, D. A. (1976). Three Classes of Antonym in English.– Lingua, 38, 281–292. (in English)
Cruse, D. A. (1986). Lexical Semantics. – Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. – 310 p. (in English)
Hassanein, H., & Mahzari, M. (2021). A Taxonomy of Antonymy in Arabic: Egyptian and Saudi Proverbs in Comparison. Open Linguistics, 7(1), 200–222. (in English)
Ibn Manẓūr, Muḥammad. (1990). The Arab Tongue. Lisān al-‘Arab. Vol. 1–15. – Cairo: Dār Ṣādir. 15 vols. (in Arabic)
Lyons, J. (1977). Semantics. Vol. 1–2. – Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. – 897 p. (in English)
Mufid, M. (2017). Antonyms in the Qur’an from the Perspective of Ali al-Khuli. An-Nas: Jurnal Humaniora, 2(1), 120–131. (in Indonesian)
Ridlo, U. (2017). Synonyms and Antonyms in the Qur’an. Jurnal al-Bayan: Jurnal Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa Arab, 9(2), 281–295. (in Indonesian)
Sholih, H. H. (2010). The Phenomenon of Semantic Antonymy in the Holy Qur’an and its Effect on Meaning (Ẓāhirat al-Taḍādd al-Dalālī fī al-Qur’ān al-Karīm wa Atharuhā fī al-Ma‘nā). Al-Lisāniyyāt, 13(2), 45–60. (in Arabic)
Syarifah, N. (2022). Differences between Arabic Antonym (al-Taḍādd) and Interpretation of the Qur’an. Kawanua International Journal of Multicultural Studies, 3(2), 36–43. (in English)
Ya‘qub, Amil B. (2008). Chapters in Philological Semantics. Fuṣūl fī Fiqh al-Lugha. – Damascus: ‘Alam al-Kutub. 275 p. (in Arabic)
Article Statistics
Downloads
Copyright License
Copyright (c) 2026 Shukhrat M. Mirziyadov, Shokhida T. Khurmamatova

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.