Question

Difficulty: MediumAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

The investigative panel dismissed the report after discovering that it was based on SPURIOUS allegations. Which of the following options is most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word?

  1. authenticAnswer
  2. B
    counterfeit
  3. C
    superficial
  4. D
    specious

Answer

The word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'spurious' is 'authentic'.
In the given sentence, 'spurious' means false, deceitful, or lacking genuine proof. The word 'authentic' means real, genuine, and verified, which serves as the exact opposite in meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the target word in the sentence
The word 'SPURIOUS' describes allegations that led an investigative panel to dismiss a report, indicating the allegations were false, fake, or ungrounded.
Understanding the contextual meaning of the target word is essential before searching for its opposite.
2
Determine the antonym requirement
An antonym for 'spurious' must mean genuine, true, valid, or authentic.
The question asks for the word most nearly opposite in meaning.
3
Evaluate the choices against the required antonym
'Authentic' directly means genuine and true, making it the precise contextual antonym.
Words like 'counterfeit' and 'specious' share similar meanings with 'spurious', while 'superficial' refers to depth rather than truthfulness.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms
Rate this question