Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the italicized word :
The minister is optimistic about the new project just launched.
a)Stoical
b)Dubious
c)Pessimistic
d)Cynical

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, “optimistic” is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is cheery or cheerful or has a positive outlook towards things in life. All the given options are adjectives as well. Option a ‘stoical’ means a patient or accepting or forbearing, it is quite irrelevant to the given word, so cannot be an antonym, hence it is an incorrect choice. Option b, ‘dubious’ is an adjective used to describe someone who is unsure, uncertain or in doubt, which is not exactly the opposite of the given word in the context, it also is an incorrect option. Option c, ‘pessimistic’, is an adjective used to describe someone who is negative or gloomy, which is the opposite of the given word, hence is the correct option. Option d, ‘cynical’, is an adjective used to describe someone who is distrustful, which is somewhat near the opposite of the given word, but not quite, hence it is an incorrect option. Clearly, all the given options, other than option c, ‘pessimistic’, are more or less irrelevant to the given word. We are asked to determine the opposite of the given word. Clearly, option c, 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 “cynical” and “pessimistic”, if one is not clear about the meaning of the latter.