Whenever we "intend" something, we actively will to do that thing. An intentional action is one that doesn't "just happen", as when we accidentally have our hands slip from a surface because it is slippery. In contrast, an intentional action is something chosen. Thus, when something is "intended," it was "meant"; that is, you can say either, "I intended to do that," or, "I meant to do that."

Among the options provided, only "premeditated" expresses this idea of meaning to do an action. The word "pre-meditated" contains hints regarding its meaning. The suffix "pre-" almost always means before. The idea of "meditation" in this word is not about the practice of religious or non-religious meditation but, instead, about thinking in general. A premeditated action is one that we planned ahead of time. We think about these things before we do them; we "pre-meditate" about them. This is close to "intending," at least for the purposes of this question.

The word "antecedent" may be a bit difficult; however, let's use some roots to help understand it. The prefix "ante-" means before. In certain card games, people will place a bet before they even receive any cards and know what their hand is or will be. This kind of bet is called "ante." Similarly, when we talk about the southern states of the United States from before the U.S. Civil War, we refer to the "antebellum" South. The "bellum" portion means war. Therefore, "antebellum" means before the war.

Now, the second half of "antecedent" comes from Latin roots meaning to fall. It is related to the word "cadence," which refers to the beat in music or the pitch of someone's voice (how it rises and falls, so to speak).

Thus, after a long digression, we have the meaning of "antecedent": it means to fall before. Hence, "prior" is an excellent option!

Whenever something subsides, it lessens in its strength or force. The prefix "sub-" means "under." The "-side" portion of the word comes from the Latin root for "to sit." This same root is found in words like "sedentary" and "sedate." Something that "subsides" starts to "sit under"—not in a literal sense, of course! It just means that the thing in question lessens. The only option among those provided that expresses the idea of lessening is "slacken." When a rope slackens, it becomes less tight. The general idea of slackening is that of becoming less or looser. Hence, this is an acceptable synonym for "subside," at least among the options provided.

Whenever something is "excessive," it is too much. Thus, whenever someone is fined for "excessive speed," this means that the person was driving far too quickly. Thus, in general, to "exceed" means to go over or to be bigger. Whenever one thing surpasses another, it "goes over" it (or becomes "more" than it). The prefix "sur-" means over. Thus, the word really could mean "to pass over"!

An "autobiography" is a written, first person account of someone's life written by that person, so "memoir," which means a written, first person account of some event, is the correct answer, because both an "autobiography" and a "memoir" are written, first person accounts of real events. As for the other answer choices, a "documentary" is a film exploring a factual issue, a "recital" is a musical performance, and "fiction" can mean the genre of written works that concern events that have not actually happened.

"Apathy" means indifference or lack of interest, so "indifference" is the correct answer

"Antithesis" means an opposite, so "opposite" is the correct answer.

"Hyperbole" is exaggeration of something. The best choice is "exaggeration" because it is a part of the definition of "hyperbole." Considering the other choices, "coax" means urge, "conduit" means a pipe or tube for moving liquids from one location to another, and "hear" means listen to.

"Antipathy" means a strong feeling of dislike. To provide further help, a "miscreant" is someone who behaves badly; "abhorrent" means grotesque and hateful; "sympathy" is a feeling of sorrow for someone else's feelings; "apathy" means not caring. 

An “antecedent” is something that comes before, a forerunner. The prefix ante- means before, preceding, as seen in “antebellum” which means before the Civil War. To provide further help, “obsolete” means no longer needed or of any use; “antiquated” means obsolete, ancient; “nomadic” and “itinerant” are two words used to describe wandering people who do not have a fixed home.