Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the italicized word:
His smooth manners endeared him to everyone.
a. hard
b. rough
c. polite
d. tough

Answer 1

Hint: A word that means the opposite of another word is called antonyms. A specific or particular word can have multiple antonyms or opposite words.

Complete step by step answer:

The meaning of the word smooth is having a regular surface. So, as we have to find its antonym which has the opposite meaning of the word given that is smooth, be which is apparently the option [b] rough. The meaning of the word rough is having an irregular surface, which exactly has the opposite meaning and rough is the antonym of the word smooth. Therefore, the option [b] is the correct option.
The meaning of the word hard in the option [a] is something that is solid.
The meaning of the word polite in the option [c] is having a behavior that is considerate towards other people.
The meaning of the word tough in the option [d] is something that has the ability to handle adverse conditions.
Hence, options [a], [b], and [c] are incorrect because they are not the appropriate opposite words or antonyms for the given italicized word smooth.

Note: A specific word does not necessarily have one opposite word or antonym. Some words can be transformed into their antonyms by adding the prefixes ‘non’, ‘in’, and ‘un’. If one doesn’t know the meaning or the exact definition of the given word, one should not guess the antonyms strategically, others every option will feel right and you might end up getting the answer wrong.