o _commute_ is to put
something easier, lighter, milder, or in some way more favorable in
place of that which is _commuted_; as, to _commute_ capital punishment
to imprisonment for life; to _commute_ daily fares on a railway to a
monthly payment. To _convert_ (L. _con_, with, and _verto_, turn) is to
primarily _turn_ about, and signifies to _change_ in form, character,
use, etc., through a wide range of relations; iron is _converted_ into
steel, joy into grief, a sinner into a saint. To _turn_ is a popular
word for _change_ in any sense short of the meaning of _exchange_, being
often equivalent to _alter_, _convert_, _transform_, _transmute_, etc.
We _modify_ or _qualify_ a statement which might seem too strong; we
_modify_ it by some limitation, _qualify_ it by some addition.

Antonyms:

abide, continue, hold, persist, retain,
bide, endure, keep, remain, stay.

Prepositions:

To change a home toilet _for_ a street dress; to change _from_ a
caterpillar _to_ or _into_ a butterfly; to change clothes _with_ a
beggar.

* * * * *

CHANGE, _n._

Synonyms:

alteration, mutation, renewing, transmutation,
conversion, novelty, revolution, variation,
diversity, regeneration, transformation, variety,
innovation, renewal, transition, vicissitude.

A _change_ is a passing from one state or form to another, any act or
process by which a thing becomes unlike what it was before, or the
unlikeness so produced; we say a _change_ was taking place, or the
_change_ that had taken place was manifest. _Mutation_ is a more formal
word for _change_, often suggesting repeated or continual _change_; as,
the _mutations_ of fortune. _Novelty_ is a _change_ to what is new, or
the newness of that to which a change is made; as, he was perpetually
desirous of _novelty_. _Revolution_ is specifically and most commonly a
_change_ of government. _Variation_ is a partial _change_ in form,
qualities, etc., but especially in position or action; as, the
_variation_ of the magnetic needle or of the pulse. _Variety_ is a
succession of _changes_ or an intermixture of different things, and is
always thought of as agreeable. _Vicissitude_ is sharp, sudden, or
violent _change_, always thought of as surprising and often as
disturbing or distressing; as, the _vicissitudes_ of politics.
_Transition_ is _change_ by passing from one place or state to another,
espe