Solved Examples Set 3 (Antonyms)

1. NADIR

   1. ebb tide
   2. positron
   3. mean
   4. median
   5. zenith

   (E. zenith) Nadir is the bottom, the lowest point. Choice A ebb tide means a period or state of decline. Choice B positron means an electrically charged particle. Choice C mean means the average. Choice D median means the middle point. Choice E zenith means topmost or highest point.

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. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. HIDEBOUND

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

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

8. 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.

9. REDUNDANT

   1. Insufficient
   2. Expanded
   3. Profound
   4. Numerous
   5. Verbose

   (A. Insufficient) Redundant means superfluous, extra, unneeded. But insufficient means not enough.

10. HUGGER-MUGGER

    1. incarcerate
    2. eat heartily
    3. dance wildly
    4. keep watch
    5. publicize

    (E. publicize) As a verb, hugger-mugger means to hush up. Choice E publicize means to announce, promote, or advertise. To incarcerate, choice A, is to imprison.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. ABSTEMIOUS

    1. self-indulgent
    2. on the dole
    3. self-sacrificing
    4. off the mark
    5. self-satisfied

    (A. self-indulgent) Abstemious means self-denying, temperate.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. EMPATHY

    1. compassion
    2. lack of feeling for others
    3. lack of religious certainty
    4. lack of credit
    5. recalcitrance

    (B. lack of feeling for others) Empathy means feeling for others, sympathy. Choice E recalcitrance means disobedience, noncompliance.

19. 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.

20. 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.

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