Question

Select the antonym for the given word:
Indulge
a)Satiate
b)Abstain
c)Coddle
d)Pamper

Answer 1

Hint: Antonym refers to the opposite of a word. For example, the antonym for ‘hot’ maybe ‘cold’. Indulge means to let or allow oneself to enjoy something that is desirable or gives us pleasure or treat someone with special kindness or allow excessive generosity etc.

Complete answer:

Now, let’s look at the given options and find which one fits with the asked requirement of the question.
Option a) – satiate, meaning satisfied fully, or even in excess, this is not the opposite of indulge. Therefore, this option is not correct.
Option c) – coddle means to treat someone in an overprotective way or protect something or someone too much, or indulge someone very much. This is a synonym rather than an antonym. Therefore, this is not the correct option either.
Option d) – pamper, means to spoil someone, indulge them or show too much kindness and attention and comfort, this again is a synonym. Therefore, this is also not the correct option.
Option b) – abstain, which means to hold back from doing or enjoying something. This is the opposite of indulging something or someone. Therefore, this is the correct option.
I.e. the correct option is b.

Note: One must keep in mind that someone who is overprotective (option c - coddle) can sometimes hold someone back from enjoying. But this is not an antonym for indulge because it also implies that someone is overly indulged in your matters.