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Difficulty: MediumSynonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

The newly enacted tariffs proved inimical to the growth of small-scale domestic industries, severely hindering their expansion into the regional market. Which of the following words is NEAREST IN MEANING to the underlined word as used in the sentence?

  1. harmfulAnswer
  2. B
    beneficial
  3. C
    inimitable
  4. D
    indifferent

Answer

The word nearest in meaning to 'inimical' in this context is 'harmful'.
In the context of the sentence, 'inimical' describes tariffs that act against or cause damage to domestic industries. The word 'harmful' accurately reflects this negative impact.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context
The clause 'severely hindering their expansion' indicates that the tariffs had a negative, obstructive effect on domestic industries.
Contextual clues clarify whether the target word carries a favorable, neutral, or adverse meaning.
2
Determine the contextual meaning of 'inimical'
'Inimical' describes something that is hostile, unfavorable, or damaging to an outcome.
Matching the formal lexical definition to the specific economic scenario described in the stem.
3
Evaluate the options against the target meaning
'Harmful' directly expresses the adverse effect of hindering growth.
Select the choice that best preserves the sentence's original meaning.

Key Concept

Identifying contextual synonyms for formal vocabulary in socio-economic texts.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

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