Question

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

a) Proud
b) Anxious
c) Certain
d) Reluctant

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘hesitate’ refers to ‘pause in indecision before saying or doing something'. This word is used as a verb, and its noun form is ‘reluctance’.

Complete answer:
The word ‘hesitate’ can be used in a sentence in the following way:
For example, in the sentence ‘She hesitated to speak as one wrong word could get her into trouble’, the word ‘hesitate’ is used as a verb in the past tense. It is used to illustrate the fact that the subject was unsure of what to say, as her next move could determine her conclusion.

Now, we know the meaning of the given word and its usage. Let’s look at the given options:

a) proud - The word ‘proud’ refers to ‘feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated’. This word has a completely different meaning to the given word. It is not the antonym of ‘hesitate’. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) anxious - The word ‘anxious’ refers to ‘feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome’. This word has a very different meaning to the given word. It is not the antonym of ‘hesitate’. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
c) certain - The word ‘certain’ refers to ‘able to be firmly relied on to happen or be the case'. This word has the exact opposite meaning to the given word. It is the antonym of ‘hesitate’. It is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
d) reluctant - The word ‘reluctant’ refers to ‘unwilling and hesitant; disinclined’. This word has a similar meaning to the given word. It is not the antonym of ‘hesitate’. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note:
Find out what each of the options means. Another antonym of the word ‘hesitate’ is ‘being resolute’. It is necessary to find out the meanings of the given options to narrow down the answer. Choose the option which has the exact opposite meaning to the given word.