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Difficulty: MediumAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Match each formal English word in Column A with its exact antonym (word opposite in meaning) in Column B.

  • PerniciousSalutary
  • SurreptitiousOvert
  • SuperciliousModest
  • AlacrityApathy

Answer

Pernicious matches Salutary; Surreptitious matches Overt; Supercilious matches Modest; Alacrity matches Apathy.
The correct pairings link each formal term to its exact antonym: 'Pernicious' (harmful) is opposite in meaning to 'Salutary' (beneficial); 'Surreptitious' (stealthy/secret) is opposite to 'Overt' (open/unconcealed); 'Supercilious' (arrogant) is opposite to 'Modest' (humble); and 'Alacrity' (eagerness) is opposite to 'Apathy' (indifference).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the precise meaning of each vocabulary word in the left column.
Pernicious means destructive/harmful; Surreptitious means secret/stealthy; Supercilious means arrogant/haughty; Alacrity means eagerness/readiness.
Accurate definitions are required before identifying contextual opposites.
2
Identify the corresponding word in the right column that expresses the exact semantic opposite.
Pernicious pairs with Salutary (beneficial); Surreptitious pairs with Overt (open); Supercilious pairs with Modest (humble); Alacrity pairs with Apathy (indifference).
Each selected pair forms a direct antonymic relationship in formal English usage.

Key Concept

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning
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Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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