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Question

Difficulty: EasyAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Complete the sentence below by typing the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the bold word OPTIMISTIC.

Answer:Unlike her brother who always remained optimistic about the future, Sarah was surprisingly 【pessimistic】 about their chances of success.

Answer

pessimistic
The word 'optimistic' refers to expecting good or favorable outcomes. Its direct opposite is 'pessimistic', which refers to expecting bad or unfavorable outcomes. The sentence structure ('Unlike her brother...') sets up a direct contrast between the two individuals, making 'pessimistic' the correct word to fill the blank.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the target word in context.
The word 'optimistic' describes a person who is hopeful and expects favorable outcomes.
Understanding the definition of the target word is essential to identifying its opposite.
2
Identify the contrasting clue in the sentence.
The phrase 'Unlike her brother' signals that Sarah's attitude is the direct opposite of being optimistic.
Sentence context provides structural markers indicating contrast.
3
Determine the appropriate antonym.
The word 'pessimistic' means expecting negative outcomes, which is the direct antonym of optimistic.
Inserting 'pessimistic' completes the logical contrast required by the sentence structure.

Key Concept

Identifying contextual antonyms
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Topics

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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