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Question

Difficulty: HardAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Despite the board members' anticipation of an open, collaborative dialogue, the new managing director issued PEREMPTORY instructions that admitted no possibility of discussion or debate. Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word as used in the sentence?

  1. A
    imperious
  2. B
    assertive
  3. deferentialAnswer
  4. D
    perfunctory

Answer

The word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'PEREMPTORY' in this context is 'deferential'.
In the given sentence, 'peremptory' refers to an overbearing, dictatorial style that insists on immediate obedience and allows no room for debate. The word 'deferential' means showing respectful submission or yielding to the opinion and wishes of others, making it the exact contextual antonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contextual meaning of the target word.
In the sentence, 'peremptory' describes directives that are bossy, dogmatic, and insist on immediate obedience without debate.
Understanding the context of the sentence is essential to establishing the exact shade of meaning required.
2
Determine the required contextual antonym.
An opposite word must convey willingness to listen, yield, or show respectful submission to others.
The sentence contrasts an expected collaborative dialogue with an unyielding command structure.
3
Evaluate the options against the target concept.
'Deferential' means showing deference or respectful submission, which directly contradicts an overbearing and dictatorial approach.
Matching semantic definitions confirms 'deferential' as the precise antonym.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms in Lexis and Vocabulary
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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