Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
DISSUADE
A) Incite
B) Persuade
C) Advise
D) Instigate

Answer 1

Hint: Antonyms are the words that are opposite in meaning to another. The root words for the word 'antonym' are the words 'anti' meaning 'against' or 'opposite' and 'onym' meaning 'name’. For instance: the antonym of ‘hot’ is ‘cold’.

Complete step by step answer:
The meaning of the word dissuade is ‘persuade (someone) not to take a particular course of action or discourage or prevent’. So, as per the question we have to find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word dissuade.
Option A) Incite - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of incite is ‘work up or encourage’ and this is not antonym of the word dissuade. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option B) Persuade - is the correct answer because the meaning of persuade is ‘induce someone to do something through reasoning or argument or convince’ and this is the antonym of the word dissuade as they have different meanings or they are opposite in meaning to each other. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Option C) Advise - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of advise is ‘counsel or guide’ and this is not antonym of the word dissuade. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option D) Instigate - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of instigate is ‘provoke or set in motion’ and this is not antonym of the word dissuade. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note:
Antonyms are the words that are opposite to each other e.g antonyms of DISSUADE are persuade. Synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. So, the synonym of the word DISSUADE is discourage or prevent. Thus, Option A is the most appropriate answer as compared to the other options.