Question

Difficulty: EasyVocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

Read the sentence below:

"Although several board members expressed concern about the potential risks, the managing director remained firm in her decision to launch the new product line."

In the context of the sentence above, which word is nearest in meaning to firm?

  1. SteadfastAnswer
  2. B
    Hard
  3. C
    Hesitant
  4. D
    Aggressive

Answer

The word 'firm' contextually means 'steadfast', indicating a determined and unwavering decision.
The sentence highlights that the director did not back down despite opposition. Therefore, 'firm' conveys a sense of being steadfast, resolute, and unwavering in purpose.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context
The sentence contrasts the board members' concerns and risks with the director's continued adherence to her decision.
Context clues such as 'Although... expressed concern' signal that 'firm' describes an unyielding mental commitment.
2
Evaluate candidate synonyms against the specific context
'Steadfast' accurately captures the meaning of maintaining a strong, resolute position despite objections.
Literal definitions like 'hard' or ungrounded traits like 'aggressive' do not fit the semantic role of the word in this context.

Key Concept

Contextual Word Meaning
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