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Question

Direction: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words or group of words. Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

Wooing everyone over an issue for support will not serve many purposes.

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2020 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (02-Feb-2020)
The correct answer is

discouraging

Understanding the Question: Finding the Opposite of Wooing

The task is to identify the word or phrase among the options that is the opposite in meaning to the underlined word "Wooing" as it is used in the given sentence.

The sentence is: "Wooing everyone over an issue for support will not serve many purposes."

Analyzing the Word "Wooing" in Context

In this specific sentence, "Wooing" refers to the act of trying to gain the support, favour, or approval of a group of people regarding a particular issue. It means attempting to persuade or influence them to join your side or provide assistance.

  • Meaning of Wooing: To seek the favour, support, or help of someone. To try to attract or persuade.
  • Contextual use: Trying to get people to support a cause or point of view.

Essentially, wooing in this context is about actively trying to build support.

Evaluating the Options for the Opposite Meaning of Wooing

Let's examine each option to see which one means the opposite of trying to gain support:

  1. Discouraging: This word means to cause someone to lose confidence, enthusiasm, or interest; to deter someone from doing something or supporting something. If you discourage someone from supporting an issue, you are actively working against gaining their support.
  2. Encouraging: This means giving someone support, confidence, or hope. This is more aligned with or even a result of successful "wooing," as it involves providing support, not opposing the act of seeking it.
  3. Pursuing: This means following or trying to achieve something over time. While you might pursue support (similar to wooing), the word itself doesn't mean the opposite of gaining support; it's about the act of trying to get it.
  4. Persuading: This means causing someone to do something through reasoning or argument. This is very similar to or even a synonym for "wooing" in this context, as both involve trying to convince someone to support something.

Identifying the Correct Antonym for Wooing

We need the word that represents the opposite action of trying to attract or gain support. If "wooing" is about drawing people in for support, its opposite would be pushing people away or making them not want to support you.

Based on the analysis of the options, "discouraging" means making someone less likely to act or support something. This directly opposes the meaning of "wooing," which is trying to make them more likely to support something.

Why Other Options Are Not Antonyms

  • Encouraging is almost the opposite of discouraging and is related to giving support, which complements the goal of wooing.
  • Pursuing describes the act of trying to get something, not the state or effect of repelling support.
  • Persuading is a synonym for wooing in this context, meaning to convince someone to support something.

Therefore, "discouraging" is the most fitting antonym for "wooing" in the given sentence.

Revision Table: Antonym of Wooing

Word Meaning in Context Opposite Action
Wooing Trying to attract support or favour. Seeking positive engagement.
Discouraging Making someone less likely to support or act. Creating negative engagement or disinterest.

Additional Information: Expanding Your Vocabulary

Finding antonyms helps deepen your understanding of word meanings and their relationships.

  • Antonyms are pairs of words that have opposite meanings.
  • Synonyms are words that have similar meanings.
  • Understanding the specific context in which a word is used is crucial for finding the correct antonym or synonym, as words can have multiple meanings.
  • Practicing with different types of vocabulary questions improves your ability to quickly identify word relationships.
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