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Question

Difficulty: EasyAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

In the sentence below, one word is printed in bold. Read the sentence carefully and answer the question that follows:

The diplomat was widely criticized for his BELLIGERENT stance during the international peace negotiations.

Which of the following words is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word BELLIGERENT as used in the sentence?

  1. A
    aggressive
  2. amicableAnswer
  3. C
    bellicose
  4. D
    belligerence

Answer

amicable
The word 'belligerent' describes a hostile, combative, or aggressive disposition. In a sentence concerning peace negotiations, the word 'amicable'—meaning friendly, peaceful, and cooperative—serves as its precise antonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the contextual meaning of the bold target word.
The word 'belligerent' in the context of peace negotiations describes a hostile, aggressive, or warlike attitude.
Context clues such as 'criticized' and 'peace negotiations' indicate that the stance was quarrelsome and unfavorable to agreement.
2
Identify the option that provides the contrasting or opposite meaning.
'Amicable' means characterized by friendliness and goodwill, representing the exact opposite of a hostile or belligerent approach.
The prompt specifically asks for the word most nearly opposite in meaning.

Key Concept

Identifying Contextual Antonyms
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Topics

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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