Question

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word.
ACQUIT
A. Confirm
B. Blame
C. Punish
D. Indict

Answer 1

Hint: The word that is opposite to the meaning of a given word is called its antonym. For example, the antonym of the word ‘hot’ is ‘cold’. Also, ‘fat’ is the antonym of ‘thin’. These words along with synonyms are helpful as they build our vocabulary, make reading languages more enjoyable and make our writings come alive.

Complete answer:
The meaning of the word ‘acquit’ is defined as an act of freeing someone of a criminal charge(s) by pronouncing them ‘not guilty’. In other words, an acquittal takes place when the judge or the jury determine that the prosecution has not been able to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge then pronounces the accused ‘not guilty’.

When the truth and accuracy of something is established, it is said to have been ‘confirmed’. Although acquittal is not similar to confirmation but is not its opposite too. Hence, this is not the correct answer.

When something or someone is held or declared responsible for a fault or a wrong, they are said to be ‘blamed’. The words ‘acquit’, and ‘blame’ are not similar in meaning. But they are not antonyms of each other. This is because the former is more official and permanent than the latter. But the latter cannot be used for an accused in judicial purposes. Hence, this option is wrong.

When someone is ‘punished’, a penalty is inflicted on them for retribution of the offence. This word is not the antonym of ‘acquit’. This is because when someone acquittal is the act of freeing someone of a criminal charge. Whereas punishment does not refer to conviction.

Option D ‘indict’ is the antonym of the word ‘acquit’. This is because it refers to being formally accused or charged of an offence.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘D'.

Note:Both the words ‘acquit’ and ‘indict’ are used in legal and administrative fields in profuse numbers. The word ‘indictment’ means “a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime”. This word is the noun form of the word ‘indict’, which is a verb.