Question

Select the word which means the opposite of the given word- Affirm
A) To state positively
B) Deny
C) Aver
D) Assert

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 the word affirm is ‘state emphatically or publicly or declare or state or assert or aver’. So, as per the question we must find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word affirm.
Option A) To state positively - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of ‘to state positively’ is ‘anticipation of denial or objection’ and this is not antonym of the word affirm. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option B) Deny - is the correct answer because the meaning of deny is ‘state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of or contradict or refuse or reject or turn down’ and this is the antonym of the word affirm as they have different meanings or they are opposite in meaning to each other. Thus, this is the correct answer.

Option C) Aver - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of aver is ‘state or assert to be the case or declare or maintain or claim or assert’ and this is not antonym of the word affirm. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option D) Assert- is an incorrect answer because the meaning of assert is ‘state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully or declare or maintain or claim or assert’ and this is not antonym of the word affirm. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: Antonyms are the words that are opposite to each other i.e. antonyms of affirm are deny, and synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. So, the synonym of affirm is aver (Option C) and assert (Option D). Deny is the most appropriate answer as compared to the other options as they do not have the opposite meaning to the given word.