HSPT Verbal : Antonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Antonyms

An antonym for "objective" is __________.

Possible Answers:

goal

argument

agreement

termination

biased

Correct answer:

biased

Explanation:

When someone acts in an objective manner, that person does not allow his or her personal opinions to sway what he or she thinks about something. They allow the known “object” to express itself independently of any subjective biases or dispositions. In contrast to this, a bias is a type of prejudice on behalf of something, so someone who is “biased” is prejudiced on behalf of some outcome or interpretation. (Note that “prejudice” can be considered as “pre-judging”). This is the best option for an antonym among those provided.

Example Question #72 : Antonyms

An antonym for delight is __________.

Possible Answers:

vexation

disgust

annoyance

delectation

sadness

Correct answer:

disgust

Explanation:

Something that is delighting is not merely enjoyable but instead causes great joy. While "sadness," "annoyance," and "vexation" are all in some way opposed to delight, none of these options provide the direct contrast to “great joy” as does “disgust.” Interestingly, the word “disgust,” is related to “gustatory,” which means pertaining to the sense of taste. Something that is “dis-gusting” is literally something that has a horrible taste, though the term is generally used in its broad sense of meaning, a feeling of displeasure or revulsion. Still, roots like this can help you to remember less common words like “gustatory.”

Example Question #73 : Antonyms

An antonym for radiant is __________.

Possible Answers:

dingy

boring

drudgery

shining

nefarious

Correct answer:

dingy

Explanation:

As you likely suspect, the word “radiant” does come from the same roots in Latin as does the English word “ray” and “radiation.” When something is “radiant,” it is as though that thing emits rays of some sort (often light). A person can have “radiant” smile (one that is intense and very visible), or someone can be said to “radiate confidence” (once again, very visibly). Among the options provided, “dingy” is the only one that captures an antonym—here one to the very literal sense of “shining or radiating light.” Something that is “dingy” lacks brightness and is dull.

Example Question #74 : Antonyms

An antonym for rhapsodize is __________.

Possible Answers:

bard

denounce

rejoice

musical

scandalize

Correct answer:

denounce

Explanation:

A "rhapsody" is an expression of great feeling in a very enthusiastic manner. “Rhapsodize” is a verb form related to this kind of expression. To “rhapsodize” means to discuss or write about something in a manner that expresses great pleasure. In comparison with this, the only potential answer that offers an antonym is “denounce.” To “denounce” something is to declare in a public forum that the thing is bad or wicked.

Example Question #75 : Antonyms

An antonym for tasteless is __________.

Possible Answers:

olfaction

cooked

tired

bland

cultured

Correct answer:

cultured

Explanation:

When someone lacks “taste,” this does not merely have to do with the sensory power of taste. Instead, the term is used here as indicating that someone is unable to make appropriate discriminations regarding things of culture—as when someone says, “Bob has good taste in wine,” implying that Bob knows and enjoys good wines, not cheap ones of low quality; therefore, the best option among those provided is “cultured,” which is a suitable antonym for “tasteless.” Someone who is “cultured” has refined tastes.

Example Question #76 : Antonyms

An antonym for dampen is __________.

Possible Answers:

increase

oscillation

change

comfortable

warmth

Correct answer:

increase

Explanation:

Although we often use the word “damp” in the sense of indicating being wet, to "dampen" can also mean to make less intense. For instance, we could say, “The spongy pads helped to dampen the force of the impact, thus preventing a great deal of harm.” In contrast to such decrease, the simple word “increase” is an excellent antonym.

Example Question #77 : Antonyms

An antonym to audacious is __________.

Possible Answers:

political

helpful

apprehensive

illiberal

quotidian

Correct answer:

apprehensive

Explanation:

The word “audacious” comes from the Latin for to dare. It describes something that is bold or daring and can be used to describe a personality trait of someone who is both bold and daring. This is quite the opposite of “apprehensive,” which means anxious or fearful.

Example Question #78 : Antonyms

An antonym for vitriolic is __________.

Possible Answers:

salubrious

anesthetic

runny

safe

affectionate

Correct answer:

affectionate

Explanation:

The word “vitriolic” describes something that is critical and nasty in character. For instance, one could say, “The article was filled with vitriolic criticism of the current coaching staff, criticizing every one of their actions with the most scathing of words.” In contrast to such nastiness, “affectionate” is the only antonym among the options provided.

Example Question #79 : Antonyms

An antonym for understated is __________.

Possible Answers:

dolorous

amplified

belittled

joyful

magnanimous

Correct answer:

amplified

Explanation:

The meaning of the word “understated” can be guessed relatively easily, and you need not be suspicious of your hunch in this regard. It means state in a diminished way, as though to say that we “play down” something that is perhaps more important than is conveyed by such understatement. This can be done in a tasteful way—“understated jewelry” can still be quite beautiful. It can also be meant in a manner that indicates that someone is judging a person or thing negatively, “He understated his abilities, for he really believed himself to be talentless.” In contrast with such diminishing, “amplified” is the best antonym, as it means increased. To help you remember the word, think of a stereo system’s amplifier, which increases the output sound.

Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Nouns

An antonym of "civilian" is __________.

Possible Answers:

senator

expert

professor

president

soldier

Correct answer:

soldier

Explanation:

A civilian is a person who exists in a city in a non-military capacity. When used as an adjective, the word "civilian" is well contrasted to "military." The best answer is therefore the simple word "soldier." The civilian is not contrasted directly to the ruling class—hence both "senator" and "president" are not good answers.

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