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Difficulty: MediumSynonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

The judge condemned the prosecutor's truculent demeanor during the cross-examination of the witness. Which of the following words is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the sentence?

  1. belligerentAnswer
  2. B
    conciliatory
  3. C
    turbulent
  4. D
    meticulous

Answer

The word nearest in meaning to 'truculent' in this context is 'belligerent'.
The correct choice is 'belligerent'. In the context of a judicial proceeding, a 'truculent' demeanor refers to an aggressive, defiant, and argumentative attitude. 'Belligerent' shares this exact meaning of hostility and eagerness to fight.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contextual clue in the stem
The word describes a demeanor that was condemned by a judge during cross-examination.
Understanding the contextual setting helps determine the negative and aggressive tone of the target word.
2
Define the target word 'truculent'
'Truculent' means fiercely aggressive, hostile, or defiant.
Identifying the precise definition allows for accurate mapping to a synonym.
3
Evaluate the option choices against the defined meaning
'Belligerent' means hostile and aggressive, fitting the exact context.
Selecting the option that preserves the original meaning of the sentence.

Key Concept

Contextual Synonyms in Lexis and Vocabulary
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Topics

Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

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