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Question

Difficulty: HardAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

The minister's EQUIVOCAL declaration regarding the proposed tax reforms left both the press and the public thoroughly bewildered about the administration's true intentions.

Which of the following options is most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word as used in the sentence?

  1. UnambiguousAnswer
  2. B
    Ambiguous
  3. C
    Dubious
  4. D
    Equivalent

Answer

The word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'EQUIVOCAL' is 'Unambiguous'.
In this sentence context, 'EQUIVOCAL' means vague, misleading, or intentionally ambiguous, as evidenced by the listener's confusion. 'Unambiguous' means perfectly clear and explicit, making it the direct opposite in meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word in context
In the sentence, 'EQUIVOCAL' describes a statement that causes confusion and bewilderment regarding true intentions, indicating it means vague, uncertain, or open to multiple interpretations.
Contextual clues like 'thoroughly bewildered' and 'true intentions' clarify the meaning of the target word.
2
Identify the contextual antonym
'Unambiguous' means clear, direct, and leaving no room for misunderstanding.
A clear statement is the direct opposite of a statement that causes bewilderment and uncertainty.
3
Evaluate and eliminate distractors
'Ambiguous' is a synonym, 'Dubious' is misplaced in meaning, and 'Equivalent' is a root/sound confusion.
Eliminating options based on error taxonomy confirms that 'Unambiguous' is the only correct opposite.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms and Vocabulary Opposition
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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