Learn English – n antonym for the word “Behold”

antonyms

What is the opposite word (or antonym) for the word "Behold" as in the phrase "Behold the mighty …"?

Best Answer

Behold is defined as

  1. to perceive through sight or apprehension
  2. to gaze upon

however it is an old word, which uses these meaning specifically

  • used in the imperative especially to call attention
  • used in phrases such as 'eye of the beholder' and 'lo and behold' (ngrams)

So, the question is which meaning and usage you want to make the opposite of.

As Larry Morries suggested, one possibility is to ignore. Another would be your suggestion to miss (ignore denotes conscious effort, while miss does not).

Few other antonyms are: disregard, neglect, overlook.
Another source lists near antonyms: misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand and disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over; miss, overlook

Although each time you use behold there is a certain grandness and a sense of pause that is implied: 'Behold the mighty Joe!'

'Ignore the mighty Joe!' does not carry the same tone, but it is an antonym of 'to gaze upon' and it is an imperative.

Maybe to preserve the tone of the whole phrase: 'Pay no attention to the mighty Joe!' works better.

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