Question

Select the opposite of the given word:
Zeal
A) Passion
B) Enthusiasm
C) Splendor
D) Apathy

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 zeal is ‘great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective or passion or love’. So, as per the question we must find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word zeal.
Option A) Passion - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of passion is ‘any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as in love or hate’ and this is not antonym of the word zeal. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option B) Enthusiasm - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of enthusiasm is ‘intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval or eagerness or passion’ and this is not antonym of the word zeal. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option C) Splendor - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of splendor is ‘magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur’ and this is not antonym of the word zeal. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option D) Apathy - is the correct answer because the meaning of apathy is ‘the state of being not caring or lack of interest or absence of emotion or passion’ and this is the antonym of the word zeal as they have different meanings 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. antonyms of zeal is apathy, and synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. So, the synonym of zeal is passion and enthusiasm (Option A and B already given in the question). 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. So, students should not be confused as the question is about giving the opposite meaning of the word zeal.