Finding the Antonym of 'Parched'

The question asks us to find the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'parched' in the sentence "The land appears to be parched." We need to examine the meaning of 'parched' and then look at the given options to identify the antonym.

Understanding the Meaning of 'Parched'

The word 'parched' is an adjective. It is typically used to describe something that is extremely dry, often due to heat or lack of water. For example, parched land is land that is very dry and cracked because it hasn't received rain.

So, the core meaning of 'parched' is related to severe dryness.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the options provided and determine their meanings:

• (a) dry: This word means free from moisture or liquid; not wet or moist. 'Dry' is very close in meaning to 'parched'. In fact, 'parched' is often described as extremely dry. Thus, 'dry' is a synonym or a closely related word, not an antonym.
• (b) desiccated: This word means having had all moisture removed; thoroughly dried out. Like 'dry', 'desiccated' is a synonym of 'parched'. It emphasizes the process of drying out completely.
• (c) wet: This word means covered or saturated with water or other liquid. This is the direct opposite of being dry or having moisture removed.
• (d) scorched: This word means burned on the surface, typically by dry heat. While something parched might become scorched, 'scorched' describes a state of burning or browning due to heat, not primarily the lack of moisture itself, although dryness contributes to it. It is related to the conditions that cause parchedness but is not an opposite of parchedness.

Identifying the Opposite Meaning

We are looking for the word that is opposite in meaning to 'parched' (extremely dry). From our analysis:

• 'dry' is a synonym.
• 'desiccated' is a synonym.
• 'wet' is the opposite of dry.
• 'scorched' is related but not an antonym of parchedness.

Therefore, the word that is opposite in meaning to 'parched' is 'wet'. If the land appears parched (very dry), the opposite state would be for it to be wet.

Conclusion

The opposite meaning of 'parched' is 'wet'.

Revision Table: Antonyms and Synonyms

Understanding synonyms and antonyms is crucial for vocabulary building. Here's a quick look:

• Synonym: A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. (e.g., big and large)
• Antonym: A word that has the opposite meaning of another word. (e.g., big and small)

For 'parched':

• Synonyms: dry, desiccated, arid, bone-dry
• Antonyms: wet, moist, damp, hydrated

Additional Information: Using Vocabulary in Sentences

Let's see how these words can be used in sentences to understand their context better:

• Parched: After walking in the desert for hours, his throat felt parched.
• Dry: The clothes were dry after being hung in the sun.
• Desiccated: The ancient artifact was remarkably preserved because it was found in a desiccated environment.
• Wet: The ground was wet after the rain shower.
• Scorched: The intense heat scorched the edges of the leaves.

This exercise helps reinforce the meanings and appropriate usage of the words related to dryness and moisture.