Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
HOLY
A. Offensive
B. Orthodox
C. Profane
D. Obnoxious

Answer 1

Hint: The given word ‘holy’ means dedicated to a god or its services, dedicated towards religion, saintly, pious, pure, possessing a spiritually pure quality. Example: Cow is considered a holy animal in the Hindu religion. We will look for a word that is opposite in meaning to the word ‘holy’.

Complete step by step answer:
To know the correct answer, let us analyze each option individually.

Offensive: The word ‘offensive’ means insulting, angering, annoying, unpleasant, creating displeasure, disagreeable. Example: The movie had some offensive scenes. This doesn’t mean the opposite of the word ‘holy’.
Orthodox: This word means conforming to ideologies or philosophies, something conventional, conservative, conduct that is generally approved of. Example: The villagers still believe in orthodox practices. This word is not the intended opposite of the given word.
Profane: The word ‘profane’ means irreligious, not believing in religious acts or activities centering god, secular, unholy. Example: The protests were against the profane article published in the newspaper. This is the exact meaning of the word ‘holy’.
Obnoxious: The word ‘obnoxious’ means highly offensive, vulgar, repulsive, hateful, annoying, objectionable, rotten. Example: The goons were arrested for their obnoxious behavior. This is not the intended opposite of the given word.

So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note:
The words offensive and obnoxious are similar in meaning, therefore they are synonymous. More Synonyms of the word holy are divine, spiritual, pure. Example: The saint is holy. Some antonyms of the word holy are irreligious, dishonest, impure.