Question

Select the word which has the opposite meaning to the given word
Confederate
A. Comrade
B. Ally
C. Enemy
D. Collaborator

Answer 1

Hint:Antonyms are 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 the word Confederate is joined by an agreement or treaty. So, as per the question, we must find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word Confederate.

Option A) Comrade: This is an incorrect option because Comrade refers to (among men) a colleague or a fellow member of an organization. The meaning of this word is not opposed to the meaning of the given word. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option B) Ally: This is an incorrect option because Ally refers to a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose. The meaning of this word is not opposed to the meaning of the given word. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option C) Enemy: This option is correct as the word enemy means a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something and the word confederate means joined by an agreement or treaty. Both the words are opposite of each other.

Option D) Collaborator: This is an incorrect option because Collaborator refers to a person who works jointly on an activity or project; an associate. The meaning of this word is not opposed to the meaning of the given word. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note:Antonyms are the words that are opposite to each other i.e. antonym of Confederate is enemy, and synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. So, the synonym of Confederate is federal. Thus, Option C is the most appropriate answer as compared to the other options as they do not have the opposite meaning to the given word.