Question

Against the given word, there are some alternatives, one of which is either similar in meaning (synonym) or opposite in meaning (antonym) to the word. Find out which of the given alternatives is either a synonym or an antonym of the word. EXONERATE
a. Admit
b. Accuse
c. Contract
d. Reject

Answer 1

Hint: A synonym refers to a word that is similar in meaning to another word. An antonym refers to a word that is opposite in meaning to another word.

Complete answer:
Exonerate means to absolve someone from blame for a wrongdoing. In judicial proceedings, exoneration means the reversal of a conviction. The word exonerate is derived from the Latin word exonerare.
Let’s look at its usage:
Example- The landmark ruling exonerated the convict based on new evidence that had been found. Here, we can see that the landmark ruling absolved the convict based on new evidence that had been found.
 Let’s examine the given options:
a. Admit -This means to confess to be true. It isn’t similar in meaning to exonerate. Nor is it opposite in meaning to it. Therefore, it is an incorrect option.
b. Accuse - This means to charge someone with an offence. It is opposite in meaning to exonerate. This means that it is the antonym of exonerate. Hence, it is the correct option.
c. Contract - This means to decrease in size. It isn’t similar in meaning to exonerate. Nor is it opposite in meaning to it. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
d. Reject - This means to dismiss as faulty. It isn’t similar in meaning to exonerate. Nor is it opposite in meaning to it. Therefore, it is an incorrect option.
The correct answer is option ‘b’.

Note: Accuse means to blame someone for a wrongdoing whereas admit means to accept something as true.