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Difficulty: Very hardAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Despite the severe economic downturn affecting the state, the chief executive received sharp criticism for his PROFLIGATE allocation of public funds. Which option provides the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word as used in the sentence?

  1. A
    extravagant
  2. B
    immoral
  3. thriftyAnswer
  4. D
    prolific

Answer

The word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'profligate' in this context is thrifty.
In the given sentence, the target word refers to reckless, extravagant, and wasteful spending of public funds. The word expressing the direct opposite behavior—careful, prudent, and economical management of money—is 'thrifty'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contextual meaning of the highlighted word in the sentence.
The clause contrasts a 'severe economic downturn' with the executive's 'PROFLIGATE allocation of public funds', indicating that 'profligate' means wildly extravagant, reckless, or wasteful in spending.
Determining exact contextual usage is essential before identifying the appropriate antonym.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the word expressing the exact opposite concept.
The word 'thrifty' denotes exercising careful economy and prudence in financial expenditure, directly opposing reckless wastefulness.
The precise antonym of financial wastefulness in a resource-allocation context is thriftiness.

Key Concept

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning
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Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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