Solved Examples Set 2 (Antonyms)

1. INANE

   1. foolish
   2. serious
   3. mature
   4. nameless
   5. contrary

   (B. serious.) Inane means silly or empty. Choice B serious means important or solemn.

2. IMBROGLIO

   1. imbibition
   2. proviso
   3. fracas
   4. clarification
   5. settlement

   (E. settlement) Imbroglio means a noisy fight or a dispute. Choice E settlement is the best opposite. Choice A imbibition means to absorb ideas into the mind. Choice B proviso means something insisted on as part of an agreement, with each side giving up some of its demands. Choice C fracas is also a noisy dispute or brawl.

3. NEBULOUS

   1. astronomical
   2. distinct
   3. eccentric
   4. hopeful
   5. moribund

   (B. distinct) Nebulous means vague or hazy. Choice B distinct means clear, single, particular, or discrete. The adjective moribund, choice E, means dying.

4. 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.

5. FERVENT

   1. intermittent
   2. parietal
   3. bland
   4. resonant
   5. sublime

   (C. bland) The adjective fervent means ardent, intensely felt, the opposite of bland, which means dull or tasteless. Choice A intermittent means periodic or recurrent. Choice B parietal means pertaining to a wall. Choice D resonant means resounding or vibrant. Choice E sublime means elevated, outstanding, or lofty.

6. PALLID

   1. resplendent
   2. lackluster
   3. enervated
   4. impaled
   5. impervious

   (A. resplendent) Pallid means drab or colorless. Choice A resplendent means bright or brilliant. Choice B lackluster means drab or colorless. Choice C enervated means frail or feeble. Choice D impaled means pierced. Choice E impervious means impenetrable.

7. ORNERY

   1. with many faults
   2. odorless
   3. agreeable in disposition
   4. fetid
   5. highly decorated

   (C. agreeable in disposition) Ornery means disagreeable, mean, crotchety. The adjective fetid, choice D, means noisome, stinking.

8. PALPABLE

   1. pliable
   2. facetious
   3. evident
   4. intangible
   5. careful

   (D. intangible) Palpable means easily perceived, obvious, tangible. Choice A pliable means flexible, easily influenced. Choice B facetious means intending to be funny. Choice D intangible means not tangible.

9. FERVOR

   1. an unfortified place
   2. patriotism
   3. drollery
   4. merrymaking
   5. nonchalance

   (E. nonchalance) Fervor means zeal or warmth of feeling, and choice E nonchalance is cool indifference. Choice C drollery is something amusing.

10. PURITANIC

    1. controlled by hand
    2. making fast
    3. imposing
    4. freewheeling
    5. obtuse

    (D. freewheeling) The adjective puritanic means excessively strict in morals. The most nearly opposite choice here is choice D freewheeling. Choice E obtuse means dull-witted, dense, or ignorant.

11. IRASCIBLE

    1. iridescent
    2. cooperative
    3. irregular
    4. commensurate
    5. devilish

    (B. cooperative) Irascible means quarrelsome or hot-tempered. Choice A iridescent means giving off a rainbow glow. Choice B cooperative means agreeable or easygoing. Choice D commensurate means proportionate. Choice E devilish means evil or sinister.

12. RESILIENT

    1. elastic
    2. resinous
    3. resolute
    4. inflexible
    5. malleable

    (D. inflexible.) Resilient means elastic, easily regaining its original shape. Choice B resinous means composed of resins (particular kinds of particles). Choice C resolute means determined. Choice D inflexible means stiff or rigid. Choice E malleable means moldable or flexible.

13. 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.

14. PRECURSOR

    1. sequel
    2. pointer
    3. tyro
    4. claimant
    5. afterthought

    (A. sequel) A precursor is a thing or person that precedes, but a sequel, choice A, is something that comes after. A tyro, choice C, is a novice or beginner. A claimant, choice D, is one who makes a claim.

15. 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.

16. PROCEED

    1. secede
    2. succeed
    3. impede
    4. lead
    5. recede

    (E. recede.) Proceed means move forward, go ahead as planned. Choice E recede means to move backward. Choice A secede means to withdraw or quit. Choice C impede means to slow down.

17. TRAVAIL

    1. fetters
    2. repose
    3. smear
    4. illumination
    5. remainder

    (B. repose) The noun travail means toil, hard labor; its opposite here is repose, which means to rest.

18. DISCRIMINATING

    1. racist
    2. gourmet
    3. crass
    4. popular
    5. segregated

    (C. crass) Discriminating means being able to make fine distinctions. Choice C crass means gross, being unable to make fine distinctions.

19. 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.

20. NOVEL

    1. fictional
    2. poetic
    3. ordinary
    4. narrative
    5. peerless

    (C. ordinary) Novel means new or unique. Fictional means made up or fabricated. Poetic means elegant or musical. Ordinary means common or everyday. Narrative means related to a story. Peerless means unique.

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