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Question

Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options. Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word. 

Ramesh is a very dubious character.

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2019 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2019)
The correct answer is

trustworthy

Understanding the Word Dubious

The question asks us to find the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'dubious' in the sentence "Ramesh is a very dubious character." To find the opposite meaning, also known as an antonym, we first need to understand what 'dubious' means.

What Does Dubious Mean?

The word 'dubious' is an adjective. It typically means:

  • Hesitating or doubting.
  • Not to be relied upon; suspect.

So, a 'dubious character' is someone whose honesty or reliability is questionable or doubted. They are not someone you can easily trust.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the meanings of the given options to see which one is the opposite of 'dubious':

  • Shady: This word means of doubtful honesty or legality. This is a synonym for 'dubious', not an antonym.
  • Suspicious: This means having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something. This is also closely related in meaning to 'dubious' and can be considered a synonym in context, not an antonym.
  • Trustworthy: This word means able to be relied on as honest or truthful. If someone is trustworthy, you can rely on them and believe what they say.
  • Doubtful: This means feeling uncertain about something, or giving rise to uncertainty; unlikely. This is a direct synonym for 'dubious', not an antonym.

Identifying the Antonym of Dubious

We are looking for the word that means the opposite of being questionable, suspect, or not reliable. Based on the definitions:

  • 'Shady', 'suspicious', and 'doubtful' all have meanings similar to 'dubious'.
  • 'Trustworthy' means reliable, honest, and truthful. This is the opposite of being questionable, suspect, or unreliable.

Therefore, the word that is opposite in meaning to 'dubious' is 'trustworthy'. If Ramesh is a dubious character, he is not trustworthy.

Revision Table: Dubious and its Opposites

Here is a summary of the word 'dubious' and its relationship with the options:

Word Meaning Relationship to 'Dubious'
Dubious Doubtful, suspicious, not reliable Base word
Shady Of doubtful honesty or legality Synonym
Suspicious Showing distrust, questionable Synonym
Trustworthy Reliable, honest, truthful Antonym (Opposite)
Doubtful Feeling uncertain, unlikely Synonym

Additional Information on Antonyms and Synonyms

Understanding antonyms and synonyms is crucial for expanding your vocabulary and improving reading comprehension. Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings, while synonyms are words that have similar meanings.

  • Knowing synonyms helps you use different words to express the same idea, making your writing and speech more varied.
  • Knowing antonyms helps you understand the full spectrum of meaning for a word and express contrasting ideas clearly.

For example, 'happy' and 'joyful' are synonyms. 'Happy' and 'sad' are antonyms.

In this question, 'dubious' has synonyms like 'shady', 'suspicious', and 'doubtful', and an antonym like 'trustworthy'. Learning words in pairs or groups of synonyms/antonyms can be an effective way to remember them.

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Similar Questions

  1. Directions : 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 nearest in meaning to the underlined word/words and mark your response in your Answer Sheet accordingly.

    The Arabs who are not in the cities live in the desert throughout the year, shifting from one oasis to another.

  2. In this section, look at underlined part of each sentence. There are three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a), (b), or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a 'No improvement' response will be signified by the letter (D).

    He ought not to tell me your secret, but he did.

  3. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.

    Although India is still by far  a poor country, it can become rich if its natural and human resources are fully utilized.

  4. Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d).

    The more they earn, more they spend .

  5. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

    But in all these cases conversion from one scale to another is easy because scales have well-formulated .

  6. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.

    Five years ago on this date, I am sitting  in a small Japanese car, driving across Poland towards Berlin.

  7. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

    The old man felled some trees in the garden with hardly no effort  at all.

  8. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

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  9. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

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  10. Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d).

    You are warned against committing  the same mistake again.


Important Questions from Phrase Replacement

  1. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, No substitution required.

    Not knowing the language and having no acquaintances in the city, he found it hard getting work.

  2. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.

    We had been almost halfway there when the left rear tyre blew out

  3. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.

    The man spent a lot because he had so large amount of money.

  4. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No improvement’.

    In the past, promises have been made, kept, and broken, and they are being make yet again.

  5. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No improvement’.

    September is one of the busiest months of the year, with a range of different tasks at hand

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