Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the italicized word :
He received a flattering compliment from Sunita immediately after the speech.
a)Criticism
b)Eulogy
c)Contempt
d)Notoriety

Answer 1

Hint: To be able to distinguish between the given words, the meanings of the given word, and the options must be known or found out.

Complete step-by-step answer:

The given word, “compliment” is a noun meaning praise or commendation. All the given options are nouns as well. Option a ‘criticism’ means disproval or condemnation, it clearly is the opposite of the given word, hence is the correct choice. Option b, ‘eulogy’ is a speech that praises someone, especially after they’ve passed away, which is not exactly the opposite of the given word in the context, it also is an incorrect option. Option c, ‘pessimistic’, is a noun meaning scorn, disdain, or disrespect, which is irrelevant to the given word, hence is an incorrect option. Option d, ‘notoriety’, is a noun, meaning ill repute or ill fame, which is irrelevant, hence it is an incorrect option. Clearly, all the given options, other than option a, ‘criticism’, are more or less irrelevant to the given word. We are asked to determine the opposite of the given word. Clearly, option a, is the correct answer.

Note: The most important part of solving this question would be to know the meaning of the given word and the options that follow. Here, some confusion might arise between the words “criticism” and “contempt”, if one is not clear about the meaning of the latter.