Question

Choose the option which means the opposite of the given word:
Relinquish
A. Retain
B. Possess
C. Claim
D. Conquer

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘relinquish’ refers to ‘voluntarily ceasing to keep or claim or giving up’.

Complete step by step solution:
We now know the meaning of the given word ‘relinquish’. It means to deliberately give up owning something. So, its opposite has to be to voluntarily own something.
Let’s have a look at our options one by one to see which is the exact opposite of the given word:

retain - The word retain refers to ‘continuing to have’ or ‘keeping possession of’. This word has the exact opposite meaning to ‘relinquish’. So, this is the correct option.
possess - The word ‘possess’ refers to ‘having as belonging to one’ or ‘owning’. However, it does not mean that the owning is deliberate. Hence, it is not the exact opposite of ‘possess’. So, it is an incorrect option.
claim - The word ‘claim’ means ‘to formally request or demand; say that one owns or has earned something’ or ‘to state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof’. This is not the exact opposite of the given word. So, it is an incorrect option.
conquer - The word ‘conquer’ means ‘to overcome and take control of a place or people by military force’. This is not the exact opposite of the given word. So, it is incorrect.

Note: In order to pinpoint the exact opposite of ‘relinquish’, completely understand the meaning of the given word first.