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Difficulty: HardAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Although the looming financial deficit created immense panic among the board members, the chief executive officer maintained a shockingly INSOUCIANT attitude throughout the emergency meeting.

Which of the options below is opposite in meaning to the capitalized word as used in the sentence?

  1. A
    Nonchalant
  2. AnxiousAnswer
  3. C
    Insolvent
  4. D
    Indifferent

Answer

Anxious
The word 'insouciant' means showing a casual lack of concern or being carefree. In the context of a company experiencing financial panic, the direct opposite disposition is being deeply worried or uneasy, which is precisely defined by 'Anxious'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word in context
In the sentence, 'insouciant' describes an executive who remains relaxed and free from worry despite a crisis causing widespread panic.
Context clues such as 'immense panic' contrasting with 'shockingly insouciant' establish that the target word denotes carefree unconcern.
2
Determine the required contextual antonym
The word opposite in meaning to carefree or unconcerned in a crisis situation is worried, concerned, or anxious.
An antonym must express the opposing semantic quality suitable for the syntactic context.
3
Evaluate the options
'Anxious' directly expresses the state of being worried or uneasy, serving as the true antonym.
'Nonchalant' is a synonym, 'insolvent' is a paronym, and 'indifferent' shares the sense of unconcern.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms in Lexis and Vocabulary
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Topics

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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