Question

What is the opposite of audacity?
A) Cowardice
B) Patricide
C) Bravado
D) Admonition

Answer 1

Hint: Audacity refers to a behaviour type which can mean either of the following ;
- Have the dare to do something; Have the dare to take a risk
- Behaviour that displays an unruly, unacceptable or rude attitude
In the above question, we have to identify the word from the given options which is opposite to the meaning of the word audacity.

Complete answer:
Let us first understand the meaning of the given words-
A) Cowardice - It is a trait of a person which refers to ‘a lack of courageousness; lack of courage to defend/confront the enemy/opponent’. For e.g. the peace treaty must not be mistaken for cowardice.
B) Patricide - Whenever we use ‘cide’ in combining forms then the word usually refers to an act of killing or something related to the killing. Similarly, patricide means an act of killing one’s father. For e.g. Patricide is a horrible crime.
C) Bravado - A behavioural aspect where bold/courageous tactics are used (usually unnecessarily) in order to woo someone/persuades someone/threatens someone. For e.g. He threw the ball in bravado as the girls began to cheer him.
D) Admonition - It refers to a warning/ strict advice/ counselling given by someone in an authoritative position. For e.g. An admonition was circulated by the government against the mob lynching.

The opposite of audacity is cowardice. Therefore, Option A is the correct answer because while audacity involves courageousness, cowardice implies a lack of courageousness.

Note: Audacity and cowardice both are adjectives as they both are qualities. Adjectives tell about the quality or quantity of a noun. Audacity is the quality of fearlessness in a person whereas cowardice is the quality of fearfulness in a person.