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Question

Difficulty: MediumAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with a word opposite in meaning to the capitalized word.

Answer:While the director was lauded for his MAGNANIMOUS treatment of the defeated competitors, his deputy was widely criticized for being surprisingly 【petty】.

Answer

A word opposite in meaning to 'magnanimous', such as 'petty', 'vindictive', or 'spiteful'.
The target word 'magnanimous' refers to being noble, forgiving, and generous toward others. The contrasting clause introduced by 'While' demands a word that expresses the opposite trait. Words like 'petty', 'vindictive', or 'spiteful' accurately convey small-mindedness and malice, creating the required opposition in meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the contextual meaning of the emphasized target word 'MAGNANIMOUS'.
'Magnanimous' means generous, noble-minded, or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.
Establishing the precise definition of the target word is necessary before determining its opposite.
2
Analyze the sentence structure for contrast clues.
The word 'While' at the beginning of the sentence sets up a direct contrast between the director's behavior and his deputy's behavior.
Syntactic contrast signals that the missing word must be an antonym of 'magnanimous'.
3
Determine the appropriate antonym that fits grammatically and semantically.
Words such as 'petty', 'vindictive', or 'spiteful' describe small-minded, unforgiving, or mean behavior, providing an exact contextual opposite.
These terms precisely counter the noble generosity implied by 'magnanimous'.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms in Compound and Complex Sentences
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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