Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
SPREAD
 a) Subdue
b) Repress
c) Suppress
d) Contract

Answer 1

Hint: Antonyms are those words that express meaning as opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other.
In the given question, the word ‘spread’ refers to ‘distribute or disperse widely’.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'subdue', refers to putting something or someone down by force or intimidation.
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘spread’.
Option (b.), ‘repress', refers to suppressing something or someone in order to conceal or hide. Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘spread’.
Option (c.), ‘suppress', refers to ‘bring under control by force or authority’. Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘spread’.
Option (d.), ‘contract', refers to ‘squeeze or press together’.Therefore, option (d.) is correct as its meaning is antonymous to that of the given word ‘spread’.

Note:
Sometimes the given options in a question where we have to find the opposite of the given word do not exactly mean the opposite of the given word. If this happens, we have to select the option which is the most anonymous to the meaning of the word in the question.