Question

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word:
LUXURIANT

a) barren
b) small
c) ghastly
d) decaying

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘luxuriant’ refers to ‘(relating to vegetation) rich and profuse in growth; lush'. It is usually used as an adjective.

Complete answer:

The word ‘luxuriant’ can be used in a sentence as follows:
For example, in the sentence ‘The Amazon forest was once luxuriant, but has now been destroyed’, the word ‘luxuriant’ is used to describe the state of the forest, how green and beautiful and lush it was. It describes the exact state of the forest in the past.

Now, we know the meaning and usage of the word ‘luxuriant’. Let’s look at our options:

a)barren - The word ‘barren’ refers to ‘too poor to produce much or any vegetation'. This word has the exact opposite meaning of the given word. It is the required antonym. So, this is the correct option.
b)small - The word ‘small’ refers to ‘of a size that is less than normal or usual'. This word has a very different meaning to the given word. It is not the required antonym. So, this is an incorrect option.
c)ghastly - The word ‘ghastly’ refers to ‘causing great horror or fear'. This word has a completely unrelated meaning to the given word. It is not the required antonym. So, this is an incorrect option.
d)decaying - The word ‘decaying’ refers to ‘rotting or decomposing through the action of bacteria and fungi'. This word does not have the exact opposite meaning to the given word. It is not the required antonym. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note: All the given options are distinct and none of them have any overlapping meanings. Identify the meanings of each one. Make sure to choose the option with the exact opposite meaning.