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

Transcription

1 englishforeveryone.org Name Date Antonyms 5 Level 8 Directions: Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters. 1. SUBMIT A. withdraw B. introduce C. abandon D. tender E. refuse 2. DISTINCT A. categorical B. vague C. doubtful D. lucid E. specific 3. INTRIGUE A. stimulate B. captivate C. tolerate D. cloy E. weary 4. PASSIVE A. obedient B. dynamic C. bright D. sleepy E. dutiful 5. MORBID A. lively B. horrid C. teeming D. macabre E. lighthearted 6. VOLATILE A. stable B. whimsical C. forceful D. enduring E. erratic 7. ENCROACH A. affect B. intrude C. avoid D. meddle E. comply 8. BOLSTER A. boost B. berate C. hinder D. excavate E. uphold 9. GORGEOUS A. vulnerable B. beautiful C. sumptuous D. homely E. eerie 10. NEUTRAL A. aloof B. persuasive C. impartial D. prejudiced E. ruthless

2 Answers and Explanations 1) A The word submit means to present something for judgment. For instance, when one applies for a job, he or she submits a job application. The opposite of submit is to take back something presented. Because withdraw means to take back something proposed or offered, choice (A) is correct. (B) is incorrect because introduce means to bring something into use for the first time. This is not the opposite of submit. (C) is incorrect because abandon means to give up completely. This is not the opposite of submit. (D) is incorrect because tender means to present formally for acceptance. This is synonymous with submit, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because refuse means to decline an offer or show an unwillingness to do something. This is not the opposite of submit, as something that is submitted is not necessarily accepted. 2) B The word distinct means recognizably different from something else. For example, a square is distinct from a circle, since the two shapes are clearly not identical. The opposite of distinct is not recognizably different. Because vague means indefinite, unpronounced, or not clearly distinct, choice (B) is correct. (A) is incorrect because categorical means unambiguously explicit and direct. This is not the opposite of distinct. (C) is incorrect because doubtful means not known with certainty. This is not the opposite of distinct, because being known and being different from something else are not synonymous. (D) is incorrect because lucid means clear. This is practically synonymous with distinct, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because specific means clearly defined or identified. This is practically synonymous with distinct, not the opposite of it. 3) E The word intrigue means to excite one s curiosity. One would be interested in something that intrigues him or her. The opposite of intrigue is to not excite one s curiosity or interest. Because weary means to cause to become tired or bored with, choice (E) is correct.

3 (A) is incorrect because stimulate means to arouse interest. This is synonymous with intrigue, not the opposite of it. (B) is incorrect because captivate means to attract and hold the interest of. This is synonymous with intrigue, not the opposite of it. (C) is incorrect because tolerate means to accept or endure something unpleasant. This is not the opposite of intrigue. (D) is incorrect because cloy means to disgust because of an excess of sweetness. This is not the opposite of intrigue. 4) B The word passive means accepting or allowing something to happen without active resistance or response. A fish that lets the tide carry it instead of swimming on its own would be passive. The opposite of passive is active. Because dynamic means characterized by constant activity, choice (B) is correct. (A) is incorrect because obedient means willing to comply with others. This is not the opposite of passive. (C) is incorrect because bright means intelligent or well-lit. This is not the opposite of passive. (D) is incorrect because sleepy means inactive or tired. This is practically synonymous with passive, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because dutiful means moved by a sense of duty or obligation. This is not the opposite of passive. 5) E The word morbid means unwholesomely gloomy. Someone who is obsessed with death would be described as morbid. The opposite of morbid is cheery. Because lighthearted means cheerful and carefree, choice (E) is correct. (A) is incorrect because lively means full of energy. This is not the opposite of morbid, because someone who is morbid is not necessarily lacking in energy. (B) is incorrect because horrid means causing horror. This is not the opposite of morbid. (C) is incorrect because teeming means full of something. This is not the opposite of morbid.

4 (D) is incorrect because macabre means dwelling on death. This is not the opposite of morbid. 6) A The word volatile means liable to change. A volatile situation is one that is unlikely to remain the same for very long. The opposite of volatile is steady or unlikely to change. Because stable means unlikely to change, choice (A) is correct. (B) is incorrect because whimsical means playfully quaint or fanciful. This is not the opposite of volatile. (C) is incorrect because forceful means strong and assertive. This is not the opposite of volatile, since weak is not synonymous with likely to change. (D) is incorrect because enduring means long-lasting. This is not the opposite of volatile, because something can both last a long time and change frequently. For example, cities last centuries but change frequently, with new buildings being erected and old ones being torn down, etc. (E) is incorrect because erratic means unpredictable. This is practically synonymous with volatile, not the opposite of it. 7) C The word encroach means to intrude on something. When one trespasses, he or she encroaches on someone else s property. The opposite of encroach is to ignore or not intrude on something. Because avoid means to not go through or on something, choice (C) is correct. 8) C (A) is incorrect because affect means to have an impact. This is not the opposite of encroach. (B) is incorrect because intrude means to put oneself in a place where one is unwelcome. This is practically synonymous with encroach, not the opposite of it. (D) is incorrect because meddle means to interfere with something that is not one s concern. This is practically synonymous with encroach, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because comply means to act in accordance with a wish or command. This is not the opposite of encroach, because its meaning is too broad.

5 The word bolster means to support or strengthen. An argument or thesis would be bolstered by supporting evidence. The opposite of bolster is to weaken or not assist. Because hinder means to create difficulties for something, choice (C) is correct. (A) is incorrect because boost means to help or encourage. This is synonymous with bolster, not the opposite of it. (B) is incorrect because berate means to scold or criticize. This is not the opposite of bolster, because criticism does not necessarily weaken something. (D) is incorrect because excavate means to dig up or unearth. This is not the opposite of bolster. (E) is incorrect because uphold means to confirm or support. This is synonymous with bolster, not the opposite of it. 9) D The word gorgeous means beautiful or very attractive. Anything that is very pretty could be described as gorgeous. The opposite of gorgeous is ugly or not attractive. Because homely means unattractive in appearance, choice (D) is correct. (A) is incorrect because vulnerable means susceptible to attack or harm. This is not the opposite of gorgeous. (B) is incorrect because beautiful means very attractive. This is synonymous with gorgeous, not the opposite of it. (C) is incorrect because sumptuous means splendid and expensive-looking. This is not the opposite of gorgeous. (E) is incorrect because eerie means strange and frightening in appearance or manner. This is not the opposite of gorgeous, because frightening is not synonymous with ugly. 10) D The word neutral means not biased or partial. A neutral party does not take sides in a dispute. The opposite of neutral is biased. Because prejudiced means having a preconceived opinion of something, choice (D) is correct. (A) is incorrect because aloof means obviously uninterested. This is not the opposite of neutral. (B) is incorrect because persuasive means good at convincing others to do or believe something through reasoning. This is not the opposite of neutral.

6 (C) is incorrect because impartial means not biased. This is synonymous with neutral, not the opposite of it. (E) is incorrect because ruthless means having no compassion for others. This is not the opposite of neutral, since being impartial is not synonymous with caring about others.