Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the italicised word:
I suppose you should authorise him to do so.

A. Pulverise
B. Prescribe
C. Detach
D. Proscribe

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘authorise’ refers to ‘give official permission for'. It is used as a verb in the given sentence.

Complete answer:
The word ‘authorise’ is a verb and it is used in its root form in the given sentence. The earliest documentation of this word being used is from the sixteenth century.
In the given sentence, the word ‘authorise’ is used to describe to us that the second person ‘you’ has enough power to ‘allow’ the third person to do something.

Now, we know the meaning and the usage of the given word. Let’s look at the options:
> Pulverise - The word ‘pulverise’ refers to ‘reduce to fine particles'. This has a very different meaning to the given word. So, this is an incorrect option.
> Prescribe - The word ‘prescribe’ refers to ‘advise and authorise the use of'. This has the exact same meaning as the word ‘authorise’. This is the synonym of the given word. So, this is an incorrect option.
> Detach - The word ‘detach’ refers to ‘disengage (something or part of something) and remove it'. This has a completely different meaning to the given word. So, this is an incorrect answer.
> Proscribe - This word refers to ‘forbid'. This has the exact opposite meaning to the given word So, this is the correct answer.

So the correct answer is option D - Proscribe

Note: Guess the meanings of the given options, and try to choose the option that is the exact opposite of the context of the given sentence. Do not confuse the words ‘prescribe’ and ‘proscribe’.