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Difficulty: HardAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Read the sentence below carefully and complete the blank with a word that is opposite in meaning to the bolded word.

Answer:While the managing director was praised for his surreptitious investigations into internal corporate fraud, his successor adopted an extremely 【overt】 approach to auditing.

Answer

overt (or open, unconcealed, candid)
The word 'surreptitious' means done in secret, stealthily, or clandestinely. The sentence structure uses the contrasting conjunction 'While' to oppose the former director's secretive methods with the successor's approach. The correct response must therefore mean open, unconcealed, or conducted publicly. Words such as 'overt', 'open', 'unconcealed', or 'candid' accurately provide this exact opposite meaning in formal English.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the contextual meaning of the target word 'surreptitious'.
'Surreptitious' means conducted in secret, stealthily, or kept hidden from public view.
Understanding the precise meaning of the highlighted word in context is essential before determining its antonym.
2
Analyze the sentence structure for logical contrast indicators.
The opening conjunction 'While' establishes a direct contrast between the previous director's covert strategy and the new successor's strategy.
The sentence requires an adjectival antonym that describes an auditing style characterized by visibility and openness.
3
Identify an appropriate vocabulary term expressing the exact opposite meaning.
'Overt' (or 'open' / 'unconcealed') means done openly, publicly, and without concealment.
'Overt' serves as the direct formal antonym of 'surreptitious'.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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