Directions: Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters.

Transcription

1 englishforeveryone.org Name Date Antonyms 4 Level 9 Directions: Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters. 1. DISTRESS A. optimism B. anxiety C. comfort D. hilarity E. torture 2. TEDIOUS A. intimidating B. boring C. exhausting D. bustling E. riveting 3. FAMISHED A. satiated B. opulent C. ravenous D. hollow E. wealthy 4. APTITUDE A. frailty B. expertise C. rectitude D. ineptitude E. impropriety 5. DISBAND A. dissolve B. unite C. brew D. scatter E. accumulate 6. ASSERT A. waffle B. avoid C. allege D. disclaim E. warrant 7. STRICKEN A. impenetrable B. spoiled C. untouched D. beset E. vacuous 8. EXECRATE A. condemn B. credit C. censure D. commend E. cherish 9. ETHICAL A. informal B. corrupt C. undignified D. virtuous E. ambivalent 10. CONCISE A. verbose B. terse C. vast D. unabridged E. ceremonious

2 Answers and Explanations 1) C The word distress means discomfort, anxiety, or pain. Financial burdens might cause someone to feel distress. The opposite of distress is pleasure or a lack of pain. Because comfort is a state of physical ease and freedom from pain, choice (C) is correct. (A) is incorrect because optimism is hopefulness and confidence about the future. This is not the opposite of distress. (B) is incorrect because anxiety is a feeling of worry or unease. This is synonymous with distress, not the opposite of it. (D) is incorrect because hilarity is extreme amusement. This is not the opposite of distress. (E) is incorrect because torture is great physical or mental suffering. This is nearly synonymous with distress, not the opposite of it. 2) E The word tedious means dull or monotonous. A very dull lecture might be considered tedious. The opposite of tedious is captivating or exciting. Because riveting means compelling or captivating, choice (E) is correct. (A) is incorrect because intimidating means frightening. This is not the opposite of tedious. (B) is incorrect because boring means dull. This is synonymous with tedious, not the opposite of it. (C) is incorrect because exhausting means tiring. This is not the opposite of tedious. (D) is incorrect because bustling means full of activity. This is not the opposite of tedious, because something full of activity is not necessarily exciting. 3) A The word famished means starving. You might be famished if you have not eaten in days. The opposite of famished is not hungry. Because satiated means satisfied in appetite, choice (A) is correct. (B) is incorrect because opulent means ostentatiously rich or lavish. This is not the opposite of famished.

3 (C) is incorrect because ravenous means extremely hungry. This is synonymous with famished, not the opposite of it. (D) is incorrect because hollow means having an empty space inside. This is not the opposite of famished. (E) is incorrect because wealthy means rich or prosperous. This is not the opposite of famished. 4) D The word aptitude means a natural ability to do something. Beethoven, for instance, had an aptitude for composing music. The opposite of aptitude is incompetence or an inability to do something. Because ineptitude is a lack of skill or ability, choice (D) is correct. (A) is incorrect because frailty is the condition of being weak and delicate. This is not the opposite of aptitude. (B) is incorrect because expertise is expert skill in a particular field. This is synonymous with aptitude, not the opposite of it. (C) is incorrect because rectitude is morally correct behavior. This is not the opposite of aptitude. (E) is incorrect because impropriety is improper behavior. This is not the opposite of aptitude. 5) B The word disband means to separate or break up a group. When an army disbands, its soldiers go home. The opposite of disband is to combine or to join. Because unite means to cause to combine and form an effective whole, choice (B) is correct. (A) is incorrect because dissolve means to become incorporated into a liquid. This is not the opposite of disband. (C) is incorrect because brew means to make by mixing with hot water. This is not the opposite of disband. (D) is incorrect because scatter means to throw in various random directions. This is practically synonymous with disband, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because accumulate means to gather or collect in gradual degrees. This is not the opposite of disband, because collecting things is not necessarily the same as joining them together.

4 6) D The word assert means to declare confidently as fact. When one asserts something, he or she states it with force. The opposite of assert is to declare that something is not fact. Because disclaim means to deny or renounce, choice (D) is correct. (A) is incorrect because waffle means to fail to make up one s mind. This is not the opposite of assert. (B) is incorrect because avoid means to keep away from. This is not the opposite of assert. (C) is incorrect because allege means to affirm to be the case. This is practically synonymous with assert, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because warrant means to justify. This is not the opposite of assert. 7) C The word stricken means deeply affected or afflicted. If one is stricken with grief, he or she is deeply saddened. The opposite of stricken is not afflicted. Because untouched means not affected, choice (C) is correct. (A) is incorrect because impenetrable means impossible to pass through or enter. This is not the opposite of stricken. (B) is incorrect because spoiled means diminished in quality or damaged. This is not the opposite of stricken. (D) is incorrect because beset means assailed or struck. This is practically synonymous with stricken, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because vacuous means mindless. This is not the opposite of stricken. 8) E The word execrate means to hate or express loathing. If someone loathed dogs, he or she would execrate them. The opposite of execrate is to love or adore. Because cherish means to hold something dear or care for lovingly, choice (E) is correct. (A) is incorrect because condemn means to express disapproval. This is practically synonymous with execrate, not the opposite of it. (B) is incorrect because credit means to publicly acknowledge someone as a participant. This is not the opposite of any word, including execrate.

5 (C) is incorrect because censure means to express severe disapproval. This is practically synonymous with execrate, not the opposite of it. (D) is incorrect because commend means to praise formally. This is not the opposite of execrate, because praising something is not the same as loving or caring for it. 9) B The word ethical means morally proper. Someone who lives by a strict moral code would be described as ethical. The opposite of ethical is immoral or unethical. Because corrupt means evil or morally depraved, choice (B) is correct. (A) is incorrect because informal means casual or relaxed. This is not the opposite of ethical. (C) is incorrect because undignified means appearing foolish and unseemly. This is not the opposite of ethical. (D) is incorrect because virtuous means having high moral standards. This is practically synonymous with ethical, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because ambivalent means having mixed feelings about something. This is not the opposite of ethical. 10) A The word concise means giving a lot of information clearly but in few words. A summary is a concise version of a longer article. The opposite of concise is using many words. Because verbose means wordy, choice (A) is correct. (B) is incorrect because terse means using few words. This is synonymous with concise, not the opposite of it. (C) is incorrect because vast means immense in size. This is not the opposite of concise, because concise is not synonymous with small in size. (D) is incorrect because unabridged means not cut or shortened. This is not the opposite of concise. (E) is incorrect because ceremonious means relating to grand and formal occasions. This is not the opposite of concise.