Antonyms - HSPT Language Skills
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Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.
Advance is to retreat as ascend is to .
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Advance is to retreat as ascend is to .
"Advance" is the opposite of "retreat," so therefore the opposite of "ascend" would be "descend," or to go down.
"Advance" is the opposite of "retreat," so therefore the opposite of "ascend" would be "descend," or to go down.
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Generous is to miserly as blameless is to .
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Generous is to miserly as blameless is to .
"Generous" and "miserly" are strong antonyms; therefore the opposite of "blameless" is "guilty."
"Generous" and "miserly" are strong antonyms; therefore the opposite of "blameless" is "guilty."
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Hopeful is to disillusioned as aggressive is to .
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Hopeful is to disillusioned as aggressive is to .
"Hopeful" and "disillusioned" are antonyms, much like "aggressive" is the opposite of "passive."
"Hopeful" and "disillusioned" are antonyms, much like "aggressive" is the opposite of "passive."
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Conflict is to peace as tranquility is to .
Conflict is to peace as tranquility is to .
Conflict is a state of disagreement and therefore lacks peace. The analogy could thus be reformulated, “As conflict is a state lacking peace, so is tranquility a state lacking X.” When things are tranquil, they are calm and free from disturbing events and acts. Tranquility is the state of such peace. Among the options provided, only “disturbance” provides an adequate description of what is lacking in tranquility.
Conflict is a state of disagreement and therefore lacks peace. The analogy could thus be reformulated, “As conflict is a state lacking peace, so is tranquility a state lacking X.” When things are tranquil, they are calm and free from disturbing events and acts. Tranquility is the state of such peace. Among the options provided, only “disturbance” provides an adequate description of what is lacking in tranquility.
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Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Dishonest is to upright as studious is to .
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Dishonest is to upright as studious is to .
"Dishonest" and "upright" are strong antonyms; similarly an anotnym of "studious" is "ignorant."
"Dishonest" and "upright" are strong antonyms; similarly an anotnym of "studious" is "ignorant."
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Rigid is to flaccid as coarse is to .
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Rigid is to flaccid as coarse is to .
"Rigid" and "flaccid" are total opposites, just as an antonym for "coarse" is "delicate."
"Rigid" and "flaccid" are total opposites, just as an antonym for "coarse" is "delicate."
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Abundant is to scarce as gargantuan is to .
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Abundant is to scarce as gargantuan is to .
"Abundant" is the opposite of "scarce," as are "garngantuan" and "miniscule" antonyms.
"Abundant" is the opposite of "scarce," as are "garngantuan" and "miniscule" antonyms.
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Potable is to contaminant as healthy is to .
Potable is to contaminant as healthy is to .
The word “potable” comes from the Latin word for “to drink” or “drinkable.” This latter sense still is retained in the English, as the word “potable” means either “drinkable” or “safe to drink.” When liquid is potable, it is free of any contamination. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As potable water lacks contaminants, so does something that is healthy lack X.” Among the options provided, only “disease” fits the needed sense of that which is lacking in someone who is healthy.
The word “potable” comes from the Latin word for “to drink” or “drinkable.” This latter sense still is retained in the English, as the word “potable” means either “drinkable” or “safe to drink.” When liquid is potable, it is free of any contamination. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As potable water lacks contaminants, so does something that is healthy lack X.” Among the options provided, only “disease” fits the needed sense of that which is lacking in someone who is healthy.
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Irreligious is to piety as languid is to .
Irreligious is to piety as languid is to .
An irreligious person is either indifferent with regard to religion or hostile against it. Such a person likely shows little, that is, little reverence. The word “pious” can mean “dutiful” in a general sense, though the word is almost always used in the specific sense of “religiously dutiful.” The bridge sentence for this analogy could be written, “As someone irreligious lacks piety, so does someone who is languid lack X.” The word “languid” can mean “relaxed” or “lazy-seeming” as well as “weak or faint.” Something that is languid lacks strength, which is the best option among those provided.
An irreligious person is either indifferent with regard to religion or hostile against it. Such a person likely shows little, that is, little reverence. The word “pious” can mean “dutiful” in a general sense, though the word is almost always used in the specific sense of “religiously dutiful.” The bridge sentence for this analogy could be written, “As someone irreligious lacks piety, so does someone who is languid lack X.” The word “languid” can mean “relaxed” or “lazy-seeming” as well as “weak or faint.” Something that is languid lacks strength, which is the best option among those provided.
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Enervation is to energy as mendacity is to .
Enervation is to energy as mendacity is to .
Think of the word “enervation” in the sense of “ex+nerves,” as though to say, “The strength of nerves has gone away (ex-).” It means “the state of lacking energy.” Thus, the analogy could be written, “As the state of enervation is one of lacking energy, so is mendacity the state or characteristic of lacking X.” A mendacious person or thing is one that is deceptive. Thus, the best option is “truth,” for this is what something mendacious lacks.
Think of the word “enervation” in the sense of “ex+nerves,” as though to say, “The strength of nerves has gone away (ex-).” It means “the state of lacking energy.” Thus, the analogy could be written, “As the state of enervation is one of lacking energy, so is mendacity the state or characteristic of lacking X.” A mendacious person or thing is one that is deceptive. Thus, the best option is “truth,” for this is what something mendacious lacks.
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Nebulous is to definition as inconsiderate is to .
Nebulous is to definition as inconsiderate is to .
In the night sky, if you have a powerful enough telescope, a “nebula” will appear like a dusty body of heavenly matter, spread out over a region of space. It is like a “star mist.” (The word is derived from the Latin for mist.) When we speak of something being “nebulous,” we mean to indicate that it is hazy or indistinct. When applied metaphorically to human speech and thought, this indicates thoughts that are vague or not defined in an exact manner. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something nebulous lacks definition, so does something inconsiderate lack X.” When someone is inconsiderate, he or she does not show much (if any) awareness for the needs and wants of others.
In the night sky, if you have a powerful enough telescope, a “nebula” will appear like a dusty body of heavenly matter, spread out over a region of space. It is like a “star mist.” (The word is derived from the Latin for mist.) When we speak of something being “nebulous,” we mean to indicate that it is hazy or indistinct. When applied metaphorically to human speech and thought, this indicates thoughts that are vague or not defined in an exact manner. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something nebulous lacks definition, so does something inconsiderate lack X.” When someone is inconsiderate, he or she does not show much (if any) awareness for the needs and wants of others.
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Involuntary is to consciousness as irreproachable is to .
Involuntary is to consciousness as irreproachable is to .
When something is involuntary, it is done without the person explicitly willing to do it. For instance, someone’s hand could involuntarily jump upwards because of a nerve condition. The relationship between “consciousness” and “involuntary” could be patterned as one of lacking, as though to say, “As an involuntary action lacks consciousness, so someone who is irreproachable lacks X.” To “reproach” someone is to disapprove of that person’s actions. To be “irreproachable” is to be totally lacking of any reason for being disapproved in this manner. “Culpability” is the responsibility for some wrong—to be culpable is to be responsible. Thus, someone who is “irreproachable” lacks “culpability.”
When something is involuntary, it is done without the person explicitly willing to do it. For instance, someone’s hand could involuntarily jump upwards because of a nerve condition. The relationship between “consciousness” and “involuntary” could be patterned as one of lacking, as though to say, “As an involuntary action lacks consciousness, so someone who is irreproachable lacks X.” To “reproach” someone is to disapprove of that person’s actions. To be “irreproachable” is to be totally lacking of any reason for being disapproved in this manner. “Culpability” is the responsibility for some wrong—to be culpable is to be responsible. Thus, someone who is “irreproachable” lacks “culpability.”
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Impotent is to efficacy as dithering is to .
Impotent is to efficacy as dithering is to .
A “potent” drug is one that is very strong. The “potent” root comes from the Latin for “able to do” or “powerful” as found in other English words like “potentate,” “potency,” and “potential.” Efficacy is the ability to produce a given result. (Think of it as meaning, “Able to produce a given effect”). Something that is impotent is lacking in efficacy. When someone dithers, he or she delays making a decision. Such a person could be said to lack “resolution,” which means “a firm resolve to do something.”
A “potent” drug is one that is very strong. The “potent” root comes from the Latin for “able to do” or “powerful” as found in other English words like “potentate,” “potency,” and “potential.” Efficacy is the ability to produce a given result. (Think of it as meaning, “Able to produce a given effect”). Something that is impotent is lacking in efficacy. When someone dithers, he or she delays making a decision. Such a person could be said to lack “resolution,” which means “a firm resolve to do something.”
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Discourteous is to politeness as nugatory is to .
Discourteous is to politeness as nugatory is to .
A discourteous person does not show courtesy or politeness. Thus, the analogy could be written as, “As someone who is discourteous is lacking in politeness, so is something nugatory lacking in X.” The word “nugatory” comes from the Latin for “trifles” or “small worthless things.” It is not the same as nougat, which is a tasty and nutty treat. Thus, something “nugatory” is merely trifling, that is lacking value.
A discourteous person does not show courtesy or politeness. Thus, the analogy could be written as, “As someone who is discourteous is lacking in politeness, so is something nugatory lacking in X.” The word “nugatory” comes from the Latin for “trifles” or “small worthless things.” It is not the same as nougat, which is a tasty and nutty treat. Thus, something “nugatory” is merely trifling, that is lacking value.
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Safe is to danger as wakeful is to .
Safe is to danger as wakeful is to .
Something that is safe lacks danger. Thus, this analogy could be rewritten, “As something safe lacks danger, so does a wakeful state lack X.” When someone is wakeful, he or she either does not need sleep or cannot do so. Likewise, the word can be used to describe a period of time as in “a wakeful night.” In the latter case, it means “a night passed without sleep.” The word “sleep” is the best option for that which is lacking in wakefulness.
Something that is safe lacks danger. Thus, this analogy could be rewritten, “As something safe lacks danger, so does a wakeful state lack X.” When someone is wakeful, he or she either does not need sleep or cannot do so. Likewise, the word can be used to describe a period of time as in “a wakeful night.” In the latter case, it means “a night passed without sleep.” The word “sleep” is the best option for that which is lacking in wakefulness.
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Impregnable is to weakness as flaccid is to .
Impregnable is to weakness as flaccid is to .
Something that is impregnable is unable to be broken or destroyed. For instance, an “impregnable fortress” is one believed to be completely safe and unable to be overcome. Such a thing lacks any weakness. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something impregnable lacks weakness, something flaccid lacks X.” Something flaccid is soft, loose, or flabby. Such a thing lacks firmness.
Something that is impregnable is unable to be broken or destroyed. For instance, an “impregnable fortress” is one believed to be completely safe and unable to be overcome. Such a thing lacks any weakness. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something impregnable lacks weakness, something flaccid lacks X.” Something flaccid is soft, loose, or flabby. Such a thing lacks firmness.
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Composed is to agitated as urgent is to .
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Composed is to agitated as urgent is to .
"Composed" and "agitated" are antonyms, as are "urgent" and "unimportant."
"Composed" and "agitated" are antonyms, as are "urgent" and "unimportant."
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Proud is to humble as silence is to .
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Proud is to humble as silence is to .
"Proud" and "humble" are strong opposites, just as "silence" and "clamor" are antonyms.
"Proud" and "humble" are strong opposites, just as "silence" and "clamor" are antonyms.
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Unsure is to certain as enlightened is to .
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Unsure is to certain as enlightened is to .
"Unsure" and "certain" are clearly antonyms; therefore the opposite of "enlightened" is "ignorant."
"Unsure" and "certain" are clearly antonyms; therefore the opposite of "enlightened" is "ignorant."
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Disturbed is to pacific as troubled is to .
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Disturbed is to pacific as troubled is to .
"Disturbed" and "troubled" are both antonyms of "pacific" and "tranquil."
"Disturbed" and "troubled" are both antonyms of "pacific" and "tranquil."
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