HSPT Verbal : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #583 : Hspt Verbal Skills
An antonym of "absorb" is __________.
scorch
rarefy
weary
amuse
evaporate
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 #1 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "provoke" is __________.
inquire
assuage
resolve
laud
obscure
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 #2 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "mollify" is __________.
intrigue
extol
vex
discern
censure
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 #3 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "intrigue" __________.
appease
enrage
overpower
stupefy
instruct
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 #115 : Antonyms
An antonym of "harrow" __________.
gratify
bless
annoy
acclaim
console
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 #4 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes
An antonym of "pacify" is __________.
meander
incense
encourage
abjure
wean
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.
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