Question

Choose the option which means the opposite of the given word:
Gratify
A) Defeat
B) Pardon
C) Frustrate
D) Discourage

Answer 1

Hint:Antonyms are the words that are opposite in meaning to another. The root words for the word 'antonym' are the words 'anti' meaning 'against' or 'opposite' and 'onym' meaning 'name’. For instance: the antonym of ‘hot’ is ‘cold’.

Complete answer:
The meaning of the word gratify is ‘giving someone pleasure or satisfaction or please or gladden’. So, as per the question we must find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word gratify.
Option A) Defeat - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of defeat is ‘win a victory over (someone) in a battle or other contest; overcome or beat or conquer’ and this is not antonym of the word gratify. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option B) Pardon - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of pardon is ‘the action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error or offence or forgiveness or mercy’ and this is not antonym of the word gratify. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option C) Frustrate - is the correct answer because the meaning of frustrate is ‘prevent (a plan or attempted action) from progressing, succeeding, or being fulfilled or defeat or block or stop’ and this is the antonym of the word gratify as they have different meaning or they are opposite in meaning to each other. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Option D) Discourage - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of discourage is ‘cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm or dishearten or demoralize’ and this is not antonym of the word gratify. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note:Antonyms are the words that are opposite to each other i.e. antonym of gratify is frustrate, and synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. So, the synonym of gratify is pleased. Thus, Option C is the most appropriate answer as compared to the other options as they do not have the opposite meaning to the given word.