All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

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.

Persuasion is essential for people to work as a team.

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

Discouraging

Understanding the Meaning and Finding the Opposite

The question asks us to find the word or group of words that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word "Persuasion" as used in the sentence: "Persuasion is essential for people to work as a team."

Let's first understand what "Persuasion" means in this context.

Defining Persuasion

Persuasion refers to the act of causing someone to do something through reasoning or argument. It's about influencing someone's beliefs or actions to move them towards a particular viewpoint or decision. In a team setting, persuasion involves convincing members to align their efforts and goals for common success.

Analyzing the Options

We need to look for the option that represents the opposite of influencing or convincing someone to do something.

  1. Dislike: This word means a feeling of distaste or hostility. It is an emotion or attitude, but it is not the direct opposite of the act of persuading.

  2. Discouraging: This word means causing someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm; deterring. If you discourage someone, you are trying to deter them or prevent them from doing something or believing in something, which is the opposite effect of persuading them to do or believe something.

  3. Convincing: This word means able to persuade someone to do or believe something. This is very close in meaning to persuasion itself; it describes something that is effective at persuading. Therefore, it is a synonym, not an antonym.

  4. Induce: This word means to succeed in persuading or influencing someone to do something. This is also a synonym for persuade.

Identifying the Opposite of Persuasion

Comparing the options, "Discouraging" is the word that best represents the opposite action of "Persuasion". While persuasion aims to move someone towards an action or belief by convincing them, discouraging aims to move them away from or prevent an action or belief by deterring or disheartening them.

In the context of a team, if persuasion is essential for teamwork (meaning convincing people to cooperate and work together), then discouraging would make teamwork difficult or impossible (as it would deter people from cooperating or participating).

Word Meaning Relationship to Persuasion
Persuasion Act of convincing or influencing someone to do or believe something. Base word
Dislike Feeling of not liking something or someone. Unrelated action/feeling
Discouraging Causing loss of confidence or enthusiasm; deterring. Opposite action
Convincing Able to persuade; making one feel certain. Synonym/Attribute
Induce Succeed in persuading or influencing. Synonym

Therefore, the word opposite in meaning to "Persuasion" is "Discouraging".

Revision Table: Key Terms

Term Definition Antonym Example
Persuasion Influencing someone through argument. Discouragement
Antonym A word opposite in meaning to another. Hot $\leftrightarrow$ Cold
Synonym A word similar in meaning to another. Happy $\leftrightarrow$ Joyful

Additional Information: Antonyms and Synonyms

Understanding antonyms and synonyms is crucial for vocabulary building and language comprehension. Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings, while synonyms are words that have similar meanings.

  • Finding the correct antonym often requires understanding the precise nuance of the original word's meaning in its specific context.
  • Context matters greatly. The opposite of a word can change depending on how it is used in a sentence. For example, the opposite of "fast" could be "slow" (speed) or "stuck" (movement).
  • Practice with different word pairs helps in improving vocabulary and the ability to choose the most appropriate word.

In this question, we focused on the antonym of "Persuasion" in the context of facilitating teamwork.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    Whether the rewards arein commensurate withthe efforts or not, a society will always have workaholics and the shirk workgroups.

  2. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    Wars leave behind a large number ofemaciatedsoldiers in the camps of both the victorious and the vanquished.

  3. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    There was amammothgathering to listen to the leader.

  4. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    The audience thoroughly enjoyed thehilariousdrama.

  5. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    The writer’seruditionin science is revealed in every page of the book.

  6. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    The seminar which Ravi organised proved to be a momentousevent.

  7. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    The question is not whether the courtvindicateshim with regard to his involvement in the case, but how he feels about it.

  8. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    In those days many monarchs enjoyed vastecclesiasticalpowers.

  9. The given sentence has an underlined word followed by four words. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

    The differences include increase in mean temperature and heavyprecipitation in several regions. 

  10. The given sentence has an underlined word followed by four words. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

    The portal will help victims and complainants to anonymously report cybercrime.


Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms

  1. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    Whether the rewards arein commensurate withthe efforts or not, a society will always have workaholics and the shirk workgroups.

  2. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    Wars leave behind a large number ofemaciatedsoldiers in the camps of both the victorious and the vanquished.

  3. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    There was amammothgathering to listen to the leader.

  4. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    The audience thoroughly enjoyed thehilariousdrama.

  5. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    The writer’seruditionin science is revealed in every page of the book.

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
CDS img
Defence
UPSC CDS 2026 Mock Test Series
559 Tests 4 Tests Free
1783 Attempts
4.3(193)
English, Hindi
More Questions from CDS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App