Question

Choose the word which is closest to the opposite in meaning to the italicized word and fill in the blank.
You must avenge your father’s death, and not _______ the culprit.
A. exempt
B. reward
C. forgive
D. save

Answer 1

Hint: It is asked to fill the blank with the opposite of the italicized word. So, we have to find the closest opposite of the italicized word from the given options to complete the sentence, that is, its antonym. Antonym of a word is the word that is opposite in meaning to it. For example, the antonym of happy is unhappy/sad, antonym of hot is cold.

Complete answer:
The italicized word here is “avenge” which means to inflict harm in return for an injury or wrong on behalf of (oneself or another). Now we have to find the word that is the closest opposite of avenge.

Option A) exempt-It is an incorrect answer. The word “exempt” means to free from an obligation or liability. For example-
They were exempted from paying the tax.
These patients are exempt from all charges.
Hence, the word exempt here is not very close to the opposite of avenge and therefore is not the correct answer.

Option B) reward- It is an incorrect answer. The word “reward” means to give something to (someone) in recognition of their services, efforts, or achievements. For example-
The engineer who supervised the work was rewarded with the MBE.
Although, reward is not completely incorrect but does not quite mean the opposite of avenge. So, if there is another word in the options which is a closer opposite of avenge, it is not correct.

Option C) forgive- It is the correct answer. The word “forgive” means to stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offence, flaw, or mistake. For example-
I was willing to forgive all her faults for the sake of our friendship.
I'll never forgive David for the way he treated her.
This is exactly the opposite of the meaning of avenge, that is, to inflict harm. Hence, as this is the closest suitable opposite of the word given to us, this is the correct answer.

Option D) save- It is an incorrect answer. The word “save” means to keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger. For example-
They brought him in to help save the club from bankruptcy.
She had never been able to save much from her salary.
Hence the word “save” is not, in any way, the opposite for the word “avenge”. Therefore, it is incorrect.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: In such types of sentences, we should try to understand the meaning of the sentence and then find the most suitable option. Although, all the options put in the blank will make the sentence grammatically correct but the meaning will change.
Synonym of a word is a word that is similar in meaning to it. Here, for the word "avenge", the synonyms can be repay, punish, revenge etc.