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Difficulty: Very hardAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Despite the festive atmosphere pervading the hall following the announcement of the election results, the defeated candidate maintained a LUGUBRIOUS demeanor throughout the evening. Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to the bold word as used in the sentence?

  1. jovialAnswer
  2. B
    mournful
  3. C
    ludicrous
  4. D
    weighty

Answer

The word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'LUGUBRIOUS' is 'jovial'.
In the given sentence, 'lugubrious' describes a sad, dismal, or mournful expression. The word 'jovial' means full of high-spirited merriment and joy, which serves as the precise contextual antonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The clause 'Despite the festive atmosphere...' creates a contrast between the celebratory hall and the candidate's 'lugubrious' demeanor, establishing that the target word denotes sadness or gloom.
Contextual clues reveal the emotional state of the target word.
2
Determine the contextual meaning of LUGUBRIOUS
'Lugubrious' means looking or sounding sad, dismal, or mournful.
Understanding the precise meaning is necessary to locate its true antonym.
3
Identify the contextual antonym among the given options
'Jovial' means cheerful and merry, which is the direct opposite of sad and dismal.
'Jovial' provides the exact contrast required by the question prompt.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms in Advanced Lexis
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Topics

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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