Question

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word:
Spread
a) agitate
b) diffuse
c) feast
d) conceal

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘spread’ refers to ‘extend over a large or increasing area'. This word is usually used as a verb and its infinitive is written as ‘to spread’. Another antonym of ‘spread’ is ‘curb’.

Complete answer:
 An antonym is a word that is opposite in meaning to another word, in the same language. They convey things that are opposite in meaning. For example, the words ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ are antonyms of each other, as they convey opposite meanings.

The word ‘spread’ can be used in a sentence as follows-
For example, in the sentence ‘The fire spread from tree to tree, and soon, the whole forest was up in flames’, the word ‘spread’ is used as a verb. It is used to describe the fact that the fire transferred from tree to tree and it burned the entire forest.

Now, we know the meaning and usage of the word ‘spread’. Let’s look at our options-
a) agitate - The word ‘agitate’ refers to ‘make (someone) troubled or nervous’. This has the exact opposite meaning to the given word. It is the required antonym. So, this is the correct option.
b) diffuse - The word ‘diffuse’ refers to ‘spread over a wide area or between a large number of people'. This has the exact same meaning as the given word. This is not the required antonym. So, this is not the correct option.
c) feast - The word ‘feast’ refers to ‘eat large quantities of'. This has a completely different meaning to the given word. It is not the required antonym. So, this is an incorrect option.
d) conceal - The word ‘conceal’ refers to ‘not allow to be seen; hide'. This has a completely different meaning to the given word. It is not the required antonym. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note:
Find out the meaning of the word, in the context of a sentence. Then, choose the option which has the exact opposite meaning to the underlined word.