Here are the in-depth meanings of the specified words, along with synonyms and antonyms:

1. Paradigm

• Meaning: A paradigm is a typical example or pattern of something; a model. It refers to a conceptual or methodological framework underlying theories, practices, or beliefs at a given time within a particular discipline.
• Source: Oxford English Dictionary
• Synonym: Model
• Antonym: Anomaly

2. Semantics

• Meaning: Semantics is the branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning. It deals with how meanings are conveyed through words, phrases, and symbols and investigates the relationships between signifiers and what they signify.
• Source: Oxford English Dictionary
• Synonym: Meaning
• Antonym: Ambiguity

3. Oxymoron

• Meaning: An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. It is used to create a paradoxical effect or to illustrate a complex or nuanced idea.
• Source: Oxford English Dictionary
• Synonym: Contradiction in terms
• Antonym: Clarity

4. Extrapolate

• Meaning: To extrapolate means to extend or infer conclusions from known facts or observations. It often involves estimating or predicting future events based on existing data or trends.
• Source: Oxford English Dictionary
• Synonym: Infer
• Antonym: Deduct (in the sense of deriving conclusions without extending or estimating)

5. Cognizance

• Meaning: Cognizance refers to knowledge, awareness, or consciousness. It indicates a state of being aware or having knowledge about something, particularly in a particular context.
• Source: Oxford English Dictionary
• Synonym: Awareness
• Antonym: Ignorance

6. Aptitude

• Meaning: Aptitude is a natural ability or talent for learning a particular skill or subject. It indicates the potential for success in a certain area of learning or activity.
• Source: Oxford English Dictionary
• Synonym: Talent
• Antonym: Incompetence

7. Retention

• Meaning: Retention is the ability to keep or hold onto something. In an educational context, it refers to the capacity for remembering or recalling information or previously learned material.
• Source: Oxford English Dictionary
• Synonym: Preservation
• Antonym: Forgetting

These definitions and their respective synonyms and antonyms provide a comprehensive understanding of the terms in question.Here are the in-depth meanings of the specified words from the Oxford English Dictionary, along with their synonyms and antonyms.

1. Paradigm

Meaning: A paradigm is a conceptual or methodological model that underlies theories and practices in a specific discipline at a given time. It often represents a generally accepted worldview or framework.

• Synonym: Model
• Antonym: Anomaly

2. Semantics

Meaning: Semantics refers to the study of meaning in language, encompassing how words and phrases signify and the relationships of meaning between them. This includes examining the interpretation of signs and symbols in communication.

• Synonym: Meaning
• Antonym: Nonsense

3. Oxymoron

Meaning: An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. It combines contradictory words for a particular effect or meaning, often highlighting a paradox.

• Synonym: Paradox
• Antonym: Consistency

4. Extrapolate

Meaning: To extrapolate means to extend or project existing knowledge or ideas to predict or infer outcomes or results that are not directly observed. It is often used in reasoning or statistical analysis to infer from known data.

• Synonym: Infer
• Antonym: Constrain

5. Cognizance

Meaning: Cognizance refers to awareness or knowledge of something; it often implies a level of understanding or attention to particular details or circumstances.

• Synonym: Awareness
• Antonym: Ignorance

6. Aptitude

Meaning: Aptitude denotes a natural ability or talent for a particular skill or task. It can also refer to a capacity for learning and progress in a specific area.

• Synonym: Talent
• Antonym: Inability

7. Retention

Meaning: Retention is the act of keeping or holding onto something, often referring to the ability to remember or maintain information over time. It can also relate to the preservation of ideas, skills, or substances.

• Synonym: Preservation
• Antonym: Loss

These definitions provide a deep insight into the meanings of each word, alongside alternatives that convey similar or opposing ideas.Here are the detailed meanings, synonyms, and antonyms for each of the requested words based on information primarily from the Oxford English Dictionary.

1. Paradigm

Meaning: A paradigm is a conceptual or methodological model underlying the theories and practices of a science or discipline at a particular time. It represents a generally accepted world view or framework within which theories are formed and validated.

• Synonym: Model
• Antonym: Anomaly

2. Semantics

Meaning: Semantics is the study of meanings in language, specifically the relations between signs and their meanings. It involves understanding how meaning is derived, how words relate to one another, and how language conveys thoughts, emotions, and ideas.

• Synonym: Meaning
• Antonym: Nonsense

3. Oxymoron

Meaning: An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory or opposing terms are combined in a compressed paradox to create a new meaning. It often evokes a thought-provoking or illustrative effect, like 'bittersweet' or 'deafening silence'.

• Synonym: Contradiction
• Antonym: Consistency

4. Extrapolate

Meaning: To extrapolate means to infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information or trends into an area not known. It is often used in contexts involving data analysis, predictions, and scientific reasoning.

• Synonym: Infer
• Antonym: Constrain

5. Cognizance

Meaning: Cognizance refers to the knowledge or awareness of something. It can pertain to understanding, consciousness, or recognition of facts or phenomena, often highlighting the idea of being informed or cognizant.

• Synonym: Awareness
• Antonym: Ignorance

6. Aptitude

Meaning: Aptitude is a natural ability or talent for learning or doing something. It implies a measure of potential, often in contexts such as education or specific skill areas, suggesting that a person has both capability and inclination toward certain tasks.

• Synonym: Talent
• Antonym: Inability

7. Retention

Meaning: Retention refers to the ability to keep or hold something, particularly in the context of memory and learning. It can also refer to the preservation of information over time, reflecting how well someone can remember or recall learned material.

• Synonym: Preservation
• Antonym: Loss

These definitions provide insight into the nuances of each word, as well as highlighting their contextual importance in language and understanding.