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Difficulty: MediumVocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

Read the passage excerpt below and fill in the blank with the word that best fits the context.

Answer:During the protracted negotiations, the neutral mediator sought to 【defuse】 the growing hostility between the opposing envoys by appealing to their shared economic interests.

Answer

The word 'defuse' (or contextually synonymous terms such as 'mollify', 'assuage', 'placate', or 'allay') correctly completes the sentence by describing the reduction or neutralization of hostility.
In diplomatic contexts, a mediator's goal is to lessen or calm tension. The verbs 'defuse', 'mollify', 'assuage', 'placate', and 'allay' precisely mean to reduce hostility or anxiety, fitting both the grammatical structure and the contextual meaning of the excerpt.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The sentence depicts a neutral mediator intervening in a diplomatic negotiation characterized by rising hostility.
Identifying the role of a mediator establishes that the intended action is to lessen, calm, or reduce hostility.
2
Identify the precise semantic substitution required
Verbs like 'defuse', 'mollify', or 'assuage' mean to reduce tension, anger, or hostility.
These terms fit syntactically as a transitive verb following the infinitive marker 'to' and align semantically with diplomatic resolution.

Key Concept

Contextual Word Meaning and Semantic Substitution
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

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