Cannot — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

auxiliary verb verb /ˈka-(ˌ)nät/ can·not

Meaning & Definition of Cannot

Cannot (auxiliary verb)

  1. can not

Cannot (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to treat (something) with more importance than is needed or proper

    "The teacher tends to overemphasize the value of tests."

    "The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized."

    similar: overdo, overdraw, overplay, overstate, color, elaborate (on), embellish, embroider, exaggerate, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch, dress up, gussy up, amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), fudge, hedge, emphasize, play up, stress, caricature, satirize
    opposite: belittle, de-emphasize, minimize, play down, understate

  2. to treat (something) with more importance than is needed or proper

    "The teacher tends to overemphasize the value of tests."

    "The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized."

    similar: overdid, overdrew, overplayed, overstated, colored, elaborated (on), embellished, embroidered, exaggerated, hyperbolized, magnified, padded, stretched, dressed up, gussied up, amplified, enhanced, enlarged (on or upon), expanded, fleshed (out), fudged, hedged, emphasized, played up, stressed, caricatured, satirized
    opposite: belittled, de-emphasized, minimized, played down, understated

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cannot

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cannot:

overdo, overdraw, overplay, overstate, color, elaborate (on), embellish, embroider, exaggerate, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch, dress up, gussy up, amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), fudge, hedge, emphasize, play up, stress, caricature, satirize, overdid, overdrew, overplayed, overstated, colored, elaborated (on), embellished, embroidered, exaggerated, hyperbolized, magnified, padded, stretched

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cannot

Words with the opposite meaning of Cannot:

belittle, de-emphasize, minimize, play down, understate, belittled, de-emphasized, minimized, played down, understated

Origin & Etymology of Cannot

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cannot

Words & Phrases Containing Cannot

cannot but, cannot be helped, cannot be overstated, cannot help oneself, cannot/can't stand

Frequently Asked Questions about Cannot

What does "Cannot" mean?

"Cannot" means can not. As an an auxiliary verb and a verb, it is defined as: can not. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cannot"?

Other words for "Cannot" include overdo, overdraw, overplay, overstate, color, elaborate (on), embellish and embroider. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cannot" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cannot"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cannot". Common alternatives include overdo, overdraw, overplay, overstate, color, elaborate (on), embellish, embroider, exaggerate and hyperbolize.

What is the opposite of "Cannot"?

Antonyms of "Cannot" include belittle, de-emphasize, minimize, play down, understate, belittled, de-emphasized and minimized.

How do you use "Cannot" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cannot" in a sentence: "The teacher tends to overemphasize the value of tests."; "The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized."; "The teacher tends to overemphasize the value of tests.".

Is "Cannot" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cannot" can be used as an auxiliary verb and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Cannot" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Cannot" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Cannot"?

"Cannot" is pronounced /ˈka-(ˌ)nät/ and divided into syllables as can·not.