Question

Choose the word/phrase which is opposite in meaning to the bold word/phrase in this sentence.
His appointment was confirmed last month.
A) Disappointment
B) Discharge
C) Suspension
D) Dismissal

Answer 1

Hint:Antonyms are the words that are opposite in meaning to another. The root words for the word 'antonym' are the words 'anti' meaning 'against' or 'opposite' and 'onym' meaning 'name’. For instance: the antonym of ‘hot’ is ‘cold’.

Complete answer:
The meaning of word appointment is ‘an arrangement to meet someone at a particular time and place or meeting or engagement or interview’. So, as per the question we must find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word appointment.
Option A) Disappointment - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of disappointment is ‘sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one's hopes or expectations or sadness or regret’ and this is not antonym of the word appointment. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option B) Discharge - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of discharge is ‘send out or pour or release or eject or emit’ and this is not antonym of the word appointment. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option C) Suspension - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of suspension is ‘the action of suspending someone or something or the condition of being suspended or delayed or interruption’ and this is not antonym of the word appointment. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option D) Dismissal - is the correct answer because the meaning of dismissal is ‘‘the act of ordering or allowing someone to leave or discharge or expulsion’ and this is the antonym of the word appointment as they have different meaning or they are opposite in meaning to each other. Thus, this is the correct answer.

Hence, the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note:Antonyms are the words that are opposite to each other i.e. antonym of appointment is dismissal and synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. So, the synonym of appointment is meeting or engagement or interview. Thus, Option D is the most appropriate answer as compared to the other options as they do not have the opposite meaning to the given word.