HSPT Verbal : Antonyms: Verbs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

An antonym of "absorb" is __________.

Possible Answers:

amuse

rarefy

weary

evaporate

scorch

Correct answer:

weary

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

resolve

obscure

laud

inquire

assuage

Correct answer:

assuage

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

intrigue

censure

extol

vex

discern

Correct answer:

vex

Explanation:

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" __________.

Possible Answers:

overpower

appease

instruct

stupefy

enrage

Correct answer:

stupefy

Explanation:

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" __________.

Possible Answers:

gratify

annoy

acclaim

console

bless

Correct answer:

console

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

wean

abjure

incense

meander

encourage

Correct answer:

incense

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

restrained

frugal

gluttonous

abstinent

Correct answer:

gluttonous

Explanation:

"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 __________.

Possible Answers:

disallow

endorse

acquiesce

subscribe

Correct answer:

disallow

Explanation:

"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 __________.

Possible Answers:

frightening

terror

wild

carnivorous

caged

Correct answer:

wild

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

exalt

ameliorate

distance

misuse

approve

Correct answer:

ameliorate

Explanation:

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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