Solved Examples Set 3 (Antonyms)

1. CONFIDANT

   1. assurance
   2. acquaintance
   3. enemy
   4. confession
   5. ally

   (C. enemy.) Confidant means a friend, a person you can confide in. Choice C enemy is the opposite of friend.

2. DETACH

   1. Separate
   2. Pack
   3. Bottom line
   4. Scratch
   5. Ambulatory

   (B. Pack) Detach means to separate or unfasten. The best opposite is choice Pack.

3. BOMBASTIC

   1. Creative
   2. Selfish
   3. Artistic
   4. Polite
   5. Overbearing

   (D. Polite) Bombastic is a very strong word that means boastful. Notice that it simply sounds like a strong word. The best opposite here is Polite.

4. INVEIGH

   1. to lose weight
   2. to estimate
   3. to accept meekly
   4. to cherish fondly
   5. to retreat

   (C. to accept meekly) To inveigh is to protest strongly, to rail against. The opposite is choice C to accept meekly.

5. MODERATE

   1. calm
   2. reason
   3. whisper
   4. intensify
   5. lead

   (D. intensify.) Moderate means to make less intense. Choice D intensify means to make more intense.

6. BOMB

   1. inception
   2. task
   3. divot
   4. storm
   5. hit

   (E. hit) A bomb is American theater terminology for a failure, the opposite of hit.

7. APPROBATION

   1. probation
   2. guilt
   3. disapproval
   4. disavowal
   5. disaffected

   (C. disapproval) Approbation means approval. Choice A probation is a period of time for examination or evaluation. Choice C disapproval means objection, and is the opposite of approbation. Choice D disavowal means a denial of responsibility. Choice E disaffection means discontent.

8. SCRUTINIZE

   1. skim
   2. devour
   3. elaborate
   4. comprehend
   5. question

   (A. skim.) Scrutinize means to examine something thoroughly and carefully. Choice A skim means to glance at or read quickly. Choice B devour means to hungrily or greedily consume.

9. ELOQUENT

   1. lucid
   2. ministerial
   3. wise
   4. graceful
   5. inarticulate

   (E. inarticulate.) Eloquent means articulate. Choice A lucid means clear. Choice B ministerial pertains to a minister. Choice E inarticulate means not eloquent.

10. ENIGMATIC

    1. explicit
    2. cryptic
    3. implicit
    4. syntactic
    5. impolitic

    (A. explicit) Enigmatic means puzzling, unclear, obscure. Explicit means clear and direct. Cryptic means puzzling. Implicit means indirect. Syntactic means having to do with sentence structure. Impolitic means unwise.

11. SUCCULENT

    1. harshly astringent
    2. axiomatic
    3. quietly reclusive
    4. parched
    5. highly spiced

    (D. parched) Succulent means full of juice, juicy. Choice D parched means dried out. Choice B axiomatic means self-evident.

12. KUDOS

    1. reward
    2. regrets
    3. obloquy
    4. freedom
    5. glorification

    (C. obloquy) Kudos is a singular noun meaning glory, fame, or prestige. The opposite of kudos is obloquy, which means disgrace, discredit, or dishonor.

13. INFAMOUS

    1. eager for praise
    2. criminal
    3. with a good reputation
    4. heinous
    5. appearing often

    (C. with a good reputation) Infamous means having a bad reputation. The adjective heinous, choice D, means evil, abominable.

14. OVERWROUGHT

    1. relaxed
    2. restrained
    3. underutilized
    4. flawed
    5. underestimated

    (A. relaxed.) Overwrought means overcome by nervous agitation or being overexcited. Choice A relaxed means an absence of tension or tightness.

15. HERETICAL

    1. skeptical
    2. orthodox
    3. unorthodox
    4. ethereal
    5. insincere

    (B. orthodox) Heretical means challenging conventional beliefs. Choice A skeptical means inclined not to believe. Choice B orthodox means to accept conventional beliefs. Choice C unorthodox means unconventional. Choice D ethereal means light and delicate or heavenly. Choice E insincere means hypocritical, not sincere.

16. PROFUNDITY

    1. depth
    2. shallowness
    3. profanity
    4. perfidy
    5. complexity

    (B. shallowness) Profundity means having great depth of understanding or importance. Choice B shallowness means not deep, or an incapability of having deep feelings. Choice C profanity means coarse or irreverent speech. Choice D perfidy means treachery.

17. HIDEBOUND

    1. liberal
    2. dishonorable
    3. honorable
    4. conservative
    5. leathery

    (A. liberal) Hidebound means narrow-minded. Choice A liberal means openminded.

18. ALTRUISTIC

    1. selfish
    2. below sea level
    3. interdisciplinary
    4. nonalcoholic
    5. self-reliant

    (A. selfish) Altruistic means benevolent, generous, or unselfishly concerned for others. Choice A is the best opposite.

19. PUNGENT

    1. acrid
    2. piquant
    3. harmonious
    4. untenable
    5. insipid

    (E. insipid) Pungent means sharply affecting the organs of taste, or a strong sour or bitter taste. Choice E insipid means tasteless. Choices A and B are synonyms of pungent. Choice D untenable means implausible or unreasonable.

20. EUPHORIA

    1. mandate
    2. intoxicant
    3. life
    4. euthanasia
    5. gloom

    (E. gloom.) Euphoria means a feeling of well-being or elation. Choice A mandate means an order or command. Choice B intoxicant means a mind-altering substance. Choice D euthanasia means mercy killing. Choice E gloom means sadness or depression.

Solved Examples Set 1
Solved Examples Set 2
Solved Examples Set 3