HSPT Verbal : Antonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Antonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

An antonym for quiescent is __________.

Possible Answers:

restful

argumentative

rabble

mob

lively

Correct answer:

lively

Explanation:

The word “quiescent” is related to “quiet,” which is itself related to the Latin for “to rest or be at peace.” Something “quiescent” is at rest in the sense of not being active. For instance, a “quiescent volcano” is a volcano currently dormant or in a state of inactivity. In contrast to such inactivity, “lively” is an appropriate antonym.

Example Question #11 : Antonyms: Verbs

An antonym for seize is __________.

Possible Answers:

latch

release

grasp

attentive

imprison

Correct answer:

release

Explanation:

To "seize" something is to grasp on to it, often suddenly and with force. A number of the options provided as potential answers are potential synonyms. The only antonym among them is “release.”

Example Question #12 : Antonyms: Verbs

An antonym for evolving is __________.

Possible Answers:

orbit

rotating

straight

static

fossils

Correct answer:

static

Explanation:

Something that is "evolving" is changing or adapting over time. The word literally means to unroll or roll out. The “-volve” portion is the same as that which his found in “revolve” and the “e-” prefix means out. In contrast to something that is evolving, something "static" merely “stands still”; that is, it does not change. The word comes from the Latin for to stand. The “static” on a television screen is a single pattern that doesn’t seem to change (since it has no discernable pattern).

Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

An antonym of "absorb" is __________.

Possible Answers:

scorch

evaporate

rarefy

amuse

weary

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:

assuage

laud

inquire

obscure

resolve

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 #115 : Antonyms

An antonym of "mollify" is __________.

Possible Answers:

extol

vex

intrigue

censure

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 #116 : Antonyms

An antonym of "intrigue" __________.

Possible Answers:

stupefy

appease

overpower

enrage

instruct

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 #117 : Antonyms

An antonym of "harrow" __________.

Possible Answers:

bless

acclaim

annoy

gratify

console

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 #111 : Antonyms

An antonym of "pacify" is __________.

Possible Answers:

incense

encourage

meander

abjure

wean

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 #112 : Antonyms

Abstemious means the opposite of __________.

Possible Answers:

abstinent

restrained

gluttonous

frugal

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.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors