Solved Examples Set 3 (Antonyms)

1. SYNCHRONIZED

   1. Arrhythmic
   2. Resonating
   3. Harmonized
   4. Bough
   5. Chronological

   (A. Arrhythmic) Synchronized means occuring at the same time or occurring together. The best opposite would be Arrhythmic.

2. 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.

3. PRETERNATURAL

   1. customary
   2. naturalistic
   3. adventitious
   4. unnatural
   5. pernicious

   (A. customary) Preternatural means extraordinary. Customary means normal or regular. Naturalistic means based on natural desires or events. Adventitious means fortuitous. Unnatural means artificial or abnormal. Pernicious means harmful or wicked.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. IRONIC

   1. literary
   2. figurative
   3. analogous
   4. mysterious
   5. literal

   (E. literal) Ironic means using words to express the opposite of their literal meaning. Choice B figurative means metaphoric, a kind of literary comparison. Choice C analogous means a resemblance between two things that are otherwise unlike. Choice E literal means exact or verbatim.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. LOUCHE

   1. inflexible
   2. manifest
   3. reputable
   4. wolflike
   5. gloomy

   (C. reputable) Louche means shady, disreputable. Choice B manifest means evident. Choice C reputable means having a good reputation.

10. 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.

11. UBIQUITOUS

    1. obsequious
    2. cantankerous
    3. rare
    4. intermittent
    5. omnivorous

    (C. rare) Ubiquitous means omnipresent, everywhere. Choice A obsequious means excessively or sickeningly respectful. Choice B cantankerous means bad-tempered. Choice C rare means seldom found or occurring. Choice D intermittent means occurring at intervals, not continuous. Choice E omnivorous means feeding on both plants and animal flesh.

12. DISPARATE

    1. dissimilar
    2. similar
    3. disconcerted
    4. contrite
    5. desperate

    (B. similar.) Disparate means different. Choice A dissimilar means different. Choice B similar means the same or nearly the same. Choice C disconcerted means bewildered or confused. Choice D contrite means repentant.

13. 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.

14. PROFUSE

    1. extravagant
    2. antinatural
    3. immodest
    4. sparse
    5. refutable

    (D. sparse) Profuse means lavish, lush, or abundant. Choice A extravagant means going beyond what is reasonable. Choice B antinatural means against nature. Choice C immodest means lacking in modesty or indecent. Choice D sparse means not thickly grown. Choice E refutable means able to be proved wrong.

15. ELEVATED

    1. Suspended
    2. Moody
    3. Subterranean
    4. Grounded
    5. Excited

    (C. Subterranean) Elevated means above the ground. "Grounded" means connected to the earth. "Subterranean" means beneath the surface.

16. REDUNDANT

    1. verbose
    2. irrelevant
    3. prosaic
    4. excessive
    5. insufficient

    (E. insufficient.) Redundant means superfluous, extra, unneeded. Choice A verbose means using too many words. Choice C prosaic means dull or ordinary. Choice E insufficient means not enough.

17. 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.

18. DOWDY

    1. slovenly
    2. out of date
    3. stylish
    4. above average
    5. seasonal

    (C. stylish) Dowdy means drab or out of date. Choice A slovenly means untidy.

19. MANDATORY

    1. dispassionate
    2. obligatory
    3. voluntary
    4. inveterate
    5. disconsolate

    (C. voluntary) Mandatory means obligatory, ordered. Choice A dispassionate means impartial. Choice D inveterate means deep-seated. Choice E disconsolate means cheerless, unhappy.

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