Gradable antonyms are pairs of words that represent opposite ends of a spectrum, allowing for varying degrees of intensity. For example, the words hot and cold are gradable antonyms because they can describe temperatures that range from very hot to very cold, with many degrees in between, such as warm or cool. These antonyms are useful in language because they help convey subtle differences in meaning. Instead of simply saying something is either big or small, one can use terms like large, medium, or tiny to express a more precise idea of size.