In each of the following questions, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
Secular
Answer: B
The opposite is clerical.
Secular means belonging to this world rather than to religion, from the Latin saeculum, an age. Clerical belongs to the clergy.
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Amorphous
Answer: D
The opposite is definite.
Amorphous means without definite shape, from the Greek for without form. Definite has clear limits.
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Husbandry
Answer: C
The opposite is wastefulness.
Husbandry in the sense of thrift is careful management of resources; wastefulness squanders them.
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Diminution
Answer: D
The opposite is appreciation.
Diminution is a decrease; appreciation is a rise in value. The pair belongs to the language of assets, where a thing appreciates or diminishes.
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Perfunctory
Answer: B
The opposite is thorough.
Perfunctory means done carelessly and as a mere form, from the Latin for getting through a duty. Thorough is done with full care.
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Rubble
Answer: B
The opposite is unbroken stone.
Rubble is broken fragments of stone or brick; unbroken stone is whole.
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Languor
Answer: A
The opposite is vitality.
Languor is listlessness and want of energy, from the Latin languere. Vitality is its reverse.
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Alleviate
Answer: B
The opposite is worsen.
To alleviate is to make a trouble less severe, from the Latin levis, light. To worsen is to make it greater.
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Pugnacious
Answer: A
The opposite is pacific.
Pugnacious means eager to fight, from the Latin pugnus, a fist. Pacific means peace-making, from pax.
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Anonymous
Answer: B
The opposite is signed.
Anonymous means without a name attached, from the Greek an-onoma. A signed piece carries its author's name.
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