Understanding Antonyms and Matching Words

An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. This question asks us to find the antonyms for words given in List-I from the words provided in List-II and match them correctly.

Analyzing the Lists

Let's look at the words in each list:

Matching Antonyms based on the Correct Pairs

We need to determine which word from List-II is the antonym for each word in List-I. Let's consider each word from List-I and find its best antonym match from List-II based on the provided correct answer pairing:

• (A) Cherish: To protect and care for someone lovingly; to hold dear. The provided match is (I) Disgrace: Loss of reputation or respect, especially as a result of a dishonourable action. While not a direct opposite in all contexts, one interpretation could be that cherishing something (like honour or reputation) is the opposite of bringing disgrace upon it.
• (B) Exalt: To raise someone or something to a higher level; to praise highly. The provided match is (II) Discard: To get rid of something that is no longer useful or desirable. Exalting elevates or gives importance, while discarding removes or treats as unimportant.
• (C) Ecstasy: An overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement. The provided match is (IV) Despair: The complete loss or absence of hope. Extreme joy (Ecstasy) is the clear opposite of complete hopelessness (Despair).
• (D) Grisly: Causing horror or disgust; frightful. The provided match is (III) Attractive: Pleasing or appealing to the senses or mind. Something grisly is repulsive, while something attractive is appealing. These are clear antonyms.

Forming the Correct Pairs

Based on the matching identified above according to the provided correct option:

• (A) Cherish matches with (I) Disgrace
• (B) Exalt matches with (II) Discard
• (C) Ecstasy matches with (IV) Despair
• (D) Grisly matches with (III) Attractive

This gives us the pairing (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III).

Checking the Options

Let's see which option matches this pairing:

• Option 1: (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II) - Incorrect
• Option 2: (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(I) - Incorrect
• Option 3: (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(IV) - Incorrect
• Option 4: (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III) - This matches our derived pairing.

Therefore, the correct option is Option 4.

Revision Table: Word Antonym Pairs

Additional Information on Antonyms

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. They are crucial for expanding vocabulary and understanding nuances in language. There are different types of antonyms:

• Gradable Antonyms: These are words that represent opposite ends of a spectrum, and there are intermediate degrees between them (e.g., hot <> cold, where warm and cool are intermediate).
• Complementary Antonyms: These are pairs where if one word is true, the other must be false (e.g., alive <> dead, married <> single). There's no in-between state.
• Relational Antonyms: These describe opposite relationships (e.g., buy <> sell, give <> receive, teacher <> student).

Understanding the context is important when identifying antonyms, as the opposite meaning can sometimes depend on how the word is used.