ANTONYMS Flashcards
LOATHE
A. cherish B. detest C. prize D. reject E. caress
1) A
The word loathe means to hate. If you loathe another person, you despise him or her. The opposite of loathe is to love.
Because cherish means to hold something dear or to think of lovingly, choice (A) is correc
(B) is incorrect because detest means to dislike intensely. This is synonymous with loathe, not the opposite of it.
(C) is incorrect because prize means to value extremely highly. This is not the opposite of loathe, because valuing
something highly is not the same thing as loving it.
(D) is incorrect because reject means to dismiss something for not being good enough. This is not the opposite of loathe.
(E) is incorrect because caress means to touch in a caring manner. This is not the opposite of loathe, because one could
caress something without necessarily loving it
PROSPER
A. blossom B. fizzle C. dishonor D. flourish E. omit
B
The word prosper means to succeed financially or in material terms. If a business prospers, it is turning a large profit. The
opposite of prosper is to fail. Because fizzle means to fail in a disappointing way, choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because blossom means to mature in a promising way. This is not the opposite of prosper.
(C) is incorrect because dishonor means to bring shame upon something or someone. This is not the opposite of prosper,
since prosper is not synonymous with honor.
(D) is incorrect because flourish means to develop rapidly and successfully. This is practically synonymous with prosper,
not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because omit means to leave out or exclude. This is not the opposite of prosper.
CONSENT
A. discard B. surrender C. oppose D. approve E. sanction
C
The word consent means to give permission for something. A parental permission slip gives consent for a student to go
on a field trip. The opposite of consent is to refuse permission. Because oppose means to disallow or express disapproval
for something, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because discard means to get rid of something that is no longer useful. This is not the opposite of consent,
since consent is not synonymous with acquire.
(B) is incorrect because surrender means to stop fighting an enemy and submit to the enemy’s authority. This is not the
opposite of consent.
(D) is incorrect because approve means to officially agree to or accept as satisfactory. This is practically synonymous with
consent, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because sanction means to give official permission for. This is synonymous with consent, not the opposite
of it.
PRIMITIVE
A. elementary B. modern C. juvenile D. withering E. infant
B
The word primitive means relating to something from an earlier stage of development or evolution. For example, a rotary
dial phone is a more primitive telephone than the mobile cell phone. The opposite of primitive is advanced, more evolved,
or relating to the present or future. Because modern means characterized by using the most advanced and up-to-date
equipment or ideas, choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because elementary means simple or basic. This is not the opposite of primitive.
(C) is incorrect because juvenile means childish or immature. This is not the opposite of primitive.
(D) is incorrect because withering means declining or becoming dry and shriveled. This is not the opposite of primitive,
because primitive is not synonymous with growing.
(E) is incorrect because infant means relating to the earliest stage of something. This is similar in meaning to primitive, not
the opposite of it.
PROVOKE
A. invoke B. insult C. aggravate D. encourage E. soothe
E
The word provoke means to annoy or anger someone deliberately. Someone might provoke another by saying something
offensive to him or her. The opposite of provoke is to calm someone down. Because soothe means to gently calm
someone’s feelings, choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because invoke means to appeal to someone as an authority on a subject. This is not the opposite of
provoke.
(B) is incorrect because insult means to speak to someone disrespectfully. This can be practically synonymous with
provoke, since insulting someone might annoy or anger that person.
(C) is incorrect because aggravate means to make a problem more serious. This is not the opposite of provoke.
(D) is incorrect because encourage means to give support or hope to someone. This is not the opposite of provoke,
because provoke is not synonymous with discourage.
RESOLUTE
A. cruel B. steadfast C. careless D. fickle E. loyal
D
The word resolute means determined and unwavering. Someone who works tirelessly to achieve a goal is resolute. The
opposite of resolute is wavering or uncertain. Because fickle means frequently changing in loyalty, interests, or affection,
choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because cruel means very mean or evil. This is not the opposite of resolute.
(B) is incorrect because steadfast means unwavering or resolutely firm. This is synonymous with resolute, not the
opposite of it.
(C) is incorrect because careless means not caring or concerned. This is not the opposite of resolute, since resolute is not
synonymous with careful.
(E) is incorrect because loyal means showing firm and constant support to a person or cause. This is practically
synonymous with resolute, not the opposite of it.
PROPEL
A. activate B. cede C. hasten D. reduce E. retreat
E
The word propel means to drive or push forward. For instance, when one rows a boat, he or she propels the boat forward.
The opposite of propel is to push or move backward. Because retreat means to move back or withdraw from a given area,
choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because activate means to make operative. This is not the opposite of propel.
(B) is incorrect because cede means to give up territory. This is not the opposite of propel, because propelling is not
synonymous with gaining territory or land.
(C) is incorrect because hasten means to hurry. This is not the opposite of propel.
(D) is incorrect because reduce means to decrease in size. This is not the opposite of propel, since propel is not
synonymous with increase
DESPERATE
A. daring B. peaceful C. hopeful D. violent E. useless
C
The word desperate means feeling hopeless or despairing. For instance, one might feel desperate if he or she were
stranded on a desert island with no chance of rescue. The opposite of desperate is optimistic. Because hopeful means
feeling optimistic about the future, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because daring means adventurous or bold. This is not the opposite of desperate.
(B) is incorrect because peaceful means calm or free from disturbance. This is not the opposite of desperate, since
desperate is not synonymous with disturbed or agitated.
(D) is incorrect because violent means involving physical force intended to hurt or kill someone. This is not the opposite of
desperate.
(E) is incorrect because useless means serving no purpose. This is not the opposite of desperate.
ELIGIBLE
A. disqualified B. undesirable C. proper D. clumsy E. suitable
A
The word eligible means satisfying the appropriate conditions. For instance, if only adults were eligible for a contest, then
only those over the age of 18 would be allowed to enter the contest. The opposite of eligible is ineligible or failing to satisfy
the appropriate conditions. Because disqualified means unsuitable for an activity, choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because undesirable means not wanted. This is not the opposite of eligible, because eligible is not
synonymous with wanted or desired.
(C) is incorrect because proper means suitable or appropriate. This is synonymous with eligible, not the opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because clumsy means awkward in movement. This is not the opposite of eligible.
(E) is incorrect because suitable means appropriate or satisfying the appropriate conditions. This is synonymous with
eligible, not the opposite of it.
HAZARDOUS
A. vivid B. convenient C. dangerous D. secure E. risky
D
The word hazardous means risky or dangerous. For example, playing with fire might be hazardous to one’s health. The
opposite of hazardous is safe. Because secure means safe or not subject to threat or harm, choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because vivid means clear or focused. This is not the opposite of hazardous.
(B) is incorrect because convenient means involving little trouble or effort. This is not the opposite of hazardous, since
hazardous is not synonymous with inconvenient.
(C) is incorrect because dangerous means harmful or unsafe. This is synonymous with hazardous, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because risky means dangerous or unsafe. This is synonymous with hazardous, not the opposite of it.
NOVICE
A. beginner B. expert C. amateur D. competitor E. executive
B
The word novice means a beginner or person who is new at something. For example, someone who has only played
chess a few times would be considered a novice at chess. The opposite of novice is a person who is highly skilled at
something. Because an expert is a person who has special skills or knowledge in a field or activity, choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because a beginner is someone who is new to an activity. This is synonymous with novice, not the
opposite of it.
(C) is incorrect because an amateur is a person who is not a professional at a certain activity. This is almost synonymous
with novice, not the opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because a competitor is someone who competes or challenges another in a game or contest. This is not
the opposite of novice, because a competitor is not necessarily skilled at something.
(E) is incorrect because an executive is a person who has administrative powers in a company or organization. This is not
the opposite of novice, because an executive may not be highly skilled at something.
MAXIMUM
A. sufficient B. largest C. merest D. limited E. greatest
C
The word maximum means the greatest amount possible. For example, a bus might have a maximum occupancy, which
means there can only be so many riders aboard the bus. The opposite of maximum is minimum or the lowest amount
possible. Because merest means the smallest or slightest in size, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because sufficient means enough. This is not the opposite of maximum, because enough is not
synonymous with the lowest amount possible.
(B) is incorrect because largest means the greatest in size. This is practically synonymous with maximum, not the
opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because limited means restricted in size. This is not the opposite of maximum, because something can be
both great in size and limited at once.
(E) is incorrect because greatest means larger in size or more important. This is practically synonymous with maximum,
not the opposite of it.
DETERIORATE
A. corrode B. upgrade C. decorate D. debilitate E. amplify
B
The word deteriorate means to become progressively worse. For example, if one never fixes up an old building, the
building will continue to deteriorate over time. The opposite of deteriorate is to improve or become better. Because
upgrade means to improve or raise to a higher standard, choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because corrode means to destroy or damage by a chemical process. This can be practically synonymous
with deteriorate, since chemical damage is a type of deterioration.
(C) is incorrect because decorate means to add an ornament to something so as to make it look more attractive. This is
not the opposite of deteriorate, because decorating something does not necessarily improve it or prevent it from
worsening over time.
(D) is incorrect because debilitate means to weaken or make infirm. This is practically synonymous with deteriorate, not
the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because amplify means to heighten or enlarge. This is not the opposite of deteriorate, since heighten is not
synonymous with improve.
DRASTIC
A. lax B. loving C. brutal D. strict E. polite
A
The word drastic means extremely severe or extensive. A drastic cut in a budget would be one that severely reduces the
size of the budget. The opposite of drastic is limited in scope or relaxed. Because lax means relaxed or not severe, choice
(A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because loving means strongly liking or adoring. This is not the opposite of drastic, since drastic is not
synonymous with cruel or hating.
(C) is incorrect because brutal means savagely violent or hard. This is not the opposite of drastic.
(D) is incorrect because strict means demanding proper behavior or total obedience. This is not the opposite of drastic.
(E) is incorrect because polite means considerate and respectful of others. This is not the opposite of drastic, because
drastic is not synonymous with rude.
CONSERVE
A. support B. stash C. sustain D. squander E. suspend
D
The word conserve means to save or prevent the overuse of. For example, many citizens are encouraged to conserve
water and not use more than is absolutely necessary. The opposite of conserve is to overuse or waste. Because
squander means to waste something in a foolish manner, choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because support means to hold up or give assistance to. This is not the opposite of conserve.
(B) is incorrect because stash means to store away for safekeeping. This is practically synonymous with conserve, not the
opposite of it.
(C) is incorrect because sustain means to strengthen or support. This is not the opposite of conserve.
(E) is incorrect because suspend means to temporarily halt. This is not the opposite of conserve.
