All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "absorb" is __________.
amuse
rarefy
weary
evaporate
scorch
weary
A number of the options—"scorch," "rarefy," and "evaporate"—all are trying to make you read "absorb" in the sense of absorbing a liquid (like a sponge); however, the verb "absorb" can also mean to engross or deeply interest. In contrast to such an interesting thing, something that "wearies" someone makes his or her interest wane and disappear. This latter option is by far the best among those provided.
Example Question #21 : Antonyms: Verbs
An antonym of "provoke" is __________.
resolve
obscure
laud
inquire
assuage
assuage
A "provocation" is an action that incites or brings about a strong reaction from someone. Most often, this involves making someone angry. Thus, to "provoke" someone means just that—to bring about such an angry reaction. In contrast to this, to "allay" means to soften or diminish the intensity of someone's emotional state. We often say that something "allays" someone's fears. That is, it reduces them or "puts them to rest."
Example Question #3 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "mollify" is __________.
intrigue
censure
extol
vex
discern
vex
The word "mollify" comes from the Latin meaning soft. Something is "mollified" when it is lessened in intensity—when it is "softened." Generally, this applies to the reducing of anxiety or annoyance. It is quite the opposite to become "vexed"—for this means to become annoyed.
Example Question #4 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "intrigue" __________.
overpower
appease
instruct
stupefy
enrage
stupefy
When something is intriguing, it is interesting—likely exciting emotions of interest and engagement. Thus, "to intrigue" someone is to make such interest come to birth. In contrast to this, "to stupefy" is to render someone senseless. Now, this can be in the sense of shocking someone—which could be somewhat (though not entirely) synonymous to our word. However, it also has the general sense of making someone unable to think. Since there are no other candidate antonyms among the options provided, this is the best choice for this question.
Example Question #5 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "harrow" __________.
gratify
annoy
acclaim
console
bless
console
A harrowing experience is one that is very distressing and difficult. To "harrow" someone is to cause such distress. In contrast to this, consoling is the act of calming and reducing distress/worry.
Example Question #22 : Antonyms: Verbs
An antonym of "pacify" is __________.
wean
abjure
incense
meander
encourage
incense
The word "pacify" comes from the Latin "pax" or "pacis," meaning peace. To pacify someone means to make that person calm or at peace. In contrast to this, to incense someone is to make him or her angry. This latter word is related to the word "incendiary," which describes something that creates conflict. Both words come from Latin roots meaning "to set fire to"—as though you were setting fire to the emotions of another person.
Example Question #23 : Antonyms: Verbs
Abstemious means the opposite of __________.
restrained
frugal
gluttonous
abstinent
gluttonous
"Frugal," "constrained," and "abstinent" mean the same as abstemious. "Abstemious" means sparing or moderate in eating and drinking. "Gluttonous" means tending to eat or drink excessively.
Example Question #24 : Antonyms: Verbs
Accede is the opposite of __________.
disallow
endorse
acquiesce
subscribe
disallow
"Acquiesce," "endorse," and "subscribe" are all synonyms of "accede." "Accede" means to give consent, approval, or adherence.
"Disallow" means to refuse to permit, or reject.
Example Question #25 : Antonyms: Verbs
An antonym for tame is __________.
frightening
terror
wild
carnivorous
caged
wild
A number of the options provided for answers are likely tempting. When something is not tame, it likely must be caged. Similarly, it is a terror and frightening. Indeed, something “carnivorous” (meat eating) might be thought not to be tame; however, in all of these cases, the words do not directly oppose the notion of being tame. Only “wild” adequately opposes the notion of being “tame” in the sense of being “domesticated,” that is, “house broken” (like a pet). While the others are not unrelated, they are not sufficient antonyms either.
Example Question #26 : Antonyms: Verbs
An antonym of "corrupt" is __________.
exalt
ameliorate
distance
misuse
approve
ameliorate
We tend to think of corruption in terms of moral decay. This is a true use of the word, but it is a restricted meaning. Primarily, the term indicates the deterioration of something from a state of purity. In contrast to such corruption, the "bettering" of something would be an excellent antonym. The word "ameliorate" indicates just such improvement. It comes from the Latin "melior," meaning better. It literally means to make better.
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