Question

Identify the antonym of the underlined word.
The stoniest of hearts must have cursed the gift.
a) blessed
b) refused
c) blamed
d) scolded

Answer 1

Hint: Antonyms are those words that express a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other.
In the given question, the word ‘cursed’ refers to wishing harm upon someone or something; invoking evil upon someone or something.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'blessed', refers to conferring prosperity or happiness on someone or something.
Therefore, option (a.) is correct as its meaning is antonymous to that of the given word ‘cursed’.

Option (b.), ‘refused', refers to showing unwillingness towards someone or something; refusing to accept.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘cursed’.

Option (c.), ‘blamed', refers to putting or pinning the blame on someone or something; attribute responsibility to.
Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘cursed’.

Option (d.), ‘scolded', refers to censuring severely or angrily.
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘cursed’.

Note:
Sometimes the given options in a question where we have to find the opposite of the given word do not exactly mean the opposite of the given word. If this happens, we have to select the option which is the most anonymous to the meaning of the word in the question.
Some antonyms of the given word ‘cursed’ are- blessed, blest.