Question

Difficulty: MediumAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

The auditing firm issued a CURSORY inspection report on the factory's safety protocols, thereby failing to detect the severe structural hazards in the facility.

Which of the following words is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to CURSORY as used in the sentence above?

  1. thoroughAnswer
  2. B
    superficial
  3. C
    brief
  4. D
    precursory

Answer

The word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'cursory' is 'thorough'.
In the sentence context, 'cursory' describes an action performed quickly and without thoroughness or detail. The word 'thorough' signifies complete, painstaking, and detailed execution, providing the exact opposite meaning to 'cursory'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word in context
In the sentence, 'cursory' describes an inspection done rapidly and hastily, causing critical safety hazards to be missed.
Understanding contextual usage is necessary to identify the precise antonym required.
2
Define the target word's contextual meaning
'Cursory' means hasty, superficial, or carried out with minimal care and attention to detail.
Establishing the target meaning allows for exact comparison against option choices.
3
Evaluate options for the true opposite meaning
'Thorough' means comprehensive, detailed, and meticulous, making it the exact antonym of 'cursory'.
The question explicitly demands the word opposite in meaning (antonym).

Key Concept

Identifying contextual antonyms for tertiary admission level English vocabulary
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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