Question

Choose the word / phrase which is opposite in meaning to the italicized word / phrase in the sentence.
He does every job with great zeall and vigour.
A) Indifference
B) Constraint
C) Passion
D) Difficulty

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 answer:
The meaning of the word zeal is ‘great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective or passion or love’. So, as per the question we must find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word zeal.
Option A) Indifference - is the correct answer because the meaning of indifference is ‘lack of interest, concern, or sympathy’ and this is the antonym of the word zeal as they have different meaning or they are opposite in meaning to each other. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Option B) Constraint - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of constraint is ‘a limitation or restriction or control’ and this is not antonym of the word zeal. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option C) Passion - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of passion is ‘strong and barely controllable emotion’ and this is not antonym of the word zeal. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option D) Difficulty - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of difficulty is ‘the state or condition of being difficult or trouble or struggling’ and this is not antonym of the word zeal. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘ A’.

Note: Antonyms are the words that are opposite to each other i.e. antonyms of zeal is indifference and synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. Thus, the antonym of Zeal – Indifference (Option A) and synonym of Zeal is passion (Option C). Thus, Option A is the most appropriate answer as compared to the other options.