Finding the Antonym of Unworthy

The question asks us to find the antonym of the word 'Unworthy' from the options provided, based on the context of the sentence: "Unethical behaviour like saying mean or nasty things, is intolerable to a noble person." An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.

Understanding the Word 'Unworthy'

'Unworthy' means not deserving respect or attention; without value; or beneath the dignity of someone or something. It describes something that lacks merit or value, often in a moral or character sense.

Analyzing the Options for the Antonym of Unworthy

Let's examine each option provided and see which one means the opposite of 'Unworthy':

• Unethical: This means not morally correct. While 'unworthy' behaviour can be unethical, 'unethical' describes the wrongness of an action, not necessarily the opposite of deserving value or respect. It's related but not a direct antonym of 'Unworthy'.
• Nasty: This means unpleasant or bad. Like 'unethical', 'nasty' describes negative qualities or behaviour, which might make someone seem 'unworthy', but it is not the opposite quality itself.
• Intolerable: This means unable to be endured. This describes how someone reacts to something, finding it unbearable. It doesn't describe the quality of deservingness or value, so it's not the antonym of 'Unworthy'.
• Noble: This means having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals. A 'noble' person has high character, is worthy of respect, and embodies positive values. This is the direct opposite of being 'unworthy', which implies a lack of value, respect, or good character.

Identifying the Correct Antonym

Comparing the meanings, the word 'Noble' clearly represents the opposite of 'Unworthy'. While 'Unworthy' implies a lack of merit, value, or good character, 'Noble' signifies high merit, value, dignity, and excellent moral character.

Therefore, based on the meaning and the context of the word 'noble' in the sentence (describing a person who finds unethical behaviour intolerable, suggesting high moral standards), 'Noble' is the most appropriate antonym for 'Unworthy' among the given options.

Revision Table: Word Meanings

Additional Information: Antonyms and Synonyms

Understanding antonyms and synonyms is crucial for building vocabulary and comprehending text. Antonyms are words with opposite meanings, while synonyms are words with similar meanings.

• Antonyms: Knowing antonyms helps clarify the meaning of a word by understanding what it is not. For example, 'hot' is the antonym of 'cold'.
• Synonyms: Knowing synonyms provides alternative words with similar meanings, useful for varying language and expressing nuances. For example, 'happy' has synonyms like 'joyful', 'cheerful', 'glad'.

Finding antonyms often involves considering the core meaning of a word and looking for a word that expresses the complete opposite quality, state, or action. In this case, 'Unworthy' relates to lacking value and respect, while 'Noble' relates to possessing high value, merit, and deserving respect.