Question

Choose the word opposite in the meaning to the given word.
BLISS
a) Anguish
b) Sorrow
c) Agony
d) Suffering

Answer 1

Hint: An antonym or an opposite refers to a word that is contrary in meaning to another word. Example- Tall is an antonym of short. ‘Bliss’ refers to the feelings of ecstasy or happiness.

Complete answer:
As given in the hint, we know that ‘bliss’ is an abstract noun that is used to describe feelings of pleasure and delight.
The word ‘bliss’ has been derived from the Old English word- Bliss.
We know the meaning and the origin of the word ‘bliss’. Now, let’s look at its usage:
Example- Chocolates and ice-creams lead me to a state of bliss. Here, we can understand that ice-creams and chocolates make ‘X’ feel happy and pleasurable.
Let’s examine the given options to find the antonym of bliss-
Option a- ‘Anguish’ refers to the state of distress or suffering. Example- She started crying in anguish. ‘Anguish’ is different in meaning to ‘bliss’. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option b- ‘Sorrow’ refers to the feelings of unhappiness or misery. Example- The President announced the details of the massacre with deep sorrow. ‘Sorrow’ is opposite in meaning to ‘bliss’. Hence, it is the correct option.
Option c- ‘Agony’ refers to the state of extreme pain or hurt. Example- The teacher fell on the ground in extreme agony. ‘Agony’ is different in meaning to ‘bliss’. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option d- ‘Suffering’ refers to the feelings of pain or distress caused by mental or physical problems. Example- My mother has been suffering from years. ‘Suffering’ is different in meaning to ‘bliss’. Hence, it is an incorrect option. The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note:
 ‘Sorrow’ is used in a negative sense, whereas ‘bliss’ is used in a positive sense. Some commonly used antonyms of ‘bliss’ are misery, unhappiness, sadness, etc.