Question

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word.

AMENABLE

a. Stubborn
b. Docile
c. Obedient
d. Offensive

Answer 1

Hint: Antonyms are opposite words. In this case, we must find a word whose meaning is completely different than that of ‘amenable’.

Complete answer:
 As we have seen before, antonyms are also known as opposite words. Anything that is opposite differs in its meaning completely from the given word. If the word is passed, its opposite would be a word that means a period of time that is yet to occur i.e., future. Similarly, if the word is scarce, its opposite would be a word that means more than necessary i.e. plenty.
In the given question, the word is ‘amenable’. Amenable is an adjective that is derived from the Old French word ‘amener’. If someone is amenable, it means that they are receptive to persuasion. To be amenable is to be susceptible. Now, that we know what the word means, we must find a word whose meaning is the opposite of ‘amenable’. Logically, this means that we have to find a word whose meaning is to resist persuasion. Out of all the given options, the word stubborn, which means, to be determined to not change one’s mind, is the correct match of this opposite meaning. Hence, the option ‘a’ is the correct answer.

Note: Let us consider the problematic areas of this question. If students mistake a synonym for an antonym, they may end up choosing option ‘b’ or option ‘c’ which are close in meaning to amenable. Hence, students must be careful to understand what the given direction is really asking for.