Antonyms & Synonyms for Parachute

When you skydive, you need a parachute for a safe and soft landing. A parachute is a type of rescue equipment, as defined by the Free Dictionary, which, when activated, fills up with air. As a result, your jump is slowed and you can land safely without hurting yourself. The word "parachute" is a noun used to describe this type of skydiving equipment, but it is not limited to just this one meaning.

  1. Definition

    • As defined by the Free Dictionary, a parachute is used to slow down the jump or fall from an aircraft, which is known as skydiving. It is a light-weight canopy with cords attached to a harness that wraps around the diver's body. Until it is activated, the parachute is folded in what resembles a backpack. When activated, it immediately opens up like a huge umbrella. "Parachute" also refers to dropping supplies via a parachute, such as for troops, and to descend by use of this device.

    Synonyms

    • The word "parachute" can refer to a jump and it can refer to a safety net, according to Thesaurus.com. In the first case, "jump," the synonyms include barge, bound, canter, dive, drop, fall, jerk, plummet, ricochet, shake or vault. Parachute can be referred to as an activity -- to parachute, or to jump, fall or plummet. In the second case, parachute refers to a safety net, and its synonyms include protection, protective umbrella, safety valve, insurance and safeguard. A parachute is used for safety, therefore it is a safety net, or a form of protection or insurance. Other synonyms, as listed on Synonyms.net, include slide, chute, sloping through, descend, leap out, bound, jump start and rise.

    Antonyms

    • Antonyms are the opposite of synonyms, or the opposite of the original word. Antonyms for "parachute" when referring to an activity would be to hold back, to refrain, to ascend or to go up. Since "parachute" is a noun, there aren't many antonyms for it. In the second case, when referring to it as a safety net, antonyms for "parachute" would include danger, hazard, threat or risk, which are antonyms of safeguards.

    Origin & Uses

    • The word "parachute" is originally a French word from the late 18th century, derived from parasol. "Para" means protection against, while "chute" means fall, according to the Para-chute Project, therefore "parachute" means to protect against a fall. The word is used mainly in the area of engineering and aeronautics. it can also be used in the government to symbolize something that drops steeply, such as the stock market.