Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.

INDULGE

a)avoid
b)abstain
c)forego
d)neglect

Answer 1

Hint: Antonyms are those words that have contrasting or opposite meanings to the given word.

Complete step-by-step answer:

The word ‘indulge’ refers to allowing oneself to enjoy the pleasure of a particular something or someone.
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'avoid', refers to keep away from or stop oneself from doing (something). Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as it is not exactly antonymous to the given word ‘indulge’.

Option (b.), ‘abstain', refers to restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something. Therefore, option (b.) is correct as it’s meaning is opposite to that of the word ‘indulge’.
Option (c.), ‘forego', refers to go without (something desirable). Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as it is not exactly antonymous to the given word ‘indulge’.

Option (d.), ‘neglect', refers to fail to care for properly; not pay proper attention to; disregard. Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as it is not exactly antonymous to the given word ‘indulge’.

Note: In this question, you may get confused between ‘avoid’ and ‘abstain’. Avoid is not the correct answer as one is not necessarily avoiding ‘pleasure’, whereas, when one is abstaining, he/she is restraining oneself from pleasure, which is the opposite of what one does is he/she does if they want to “indulge” in a particular pleasure.