Understanding Word Opposites: Finding the Antonym of EXTRAVAGANT

The question asks us to select the antonym of the word "EXTRAVAGANT" from the given options. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.

Let's first understand the meaning of the word EXTRAVAGANT.

• EXTRAVAGANT: This word describes someone or something that spends money freely or carelessly. It can also mean exceeding what is reasonable, necessary, or appropriate. In essence, it suggests spending more than is needed or wise, often in a showy way.

Now, let's examine the provided options and their meanings:

• resentful: Feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly. This relates to emotions about perceived injustice, not spending habits.
• wasteful: Using or expending something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose. This word is very similar in meaning to EXTRAVAGANT; it's a synonym or a closely related concept, not an antonym.
• thrifty: Using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully. This describes someone who is careful with money and avoids unnecessary spending.
• deficient: Not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient; insufficient or inadequate. This relates to lacking something, not a spending habit.

Comparing the meaning of EXTRAVAGANT (spending freely/carelessly) with the options, we can see that thrifty (using money carefully and not wastefully) represents the opposite idea.

Therefore, the antonym of EXTRAVAGANT is thrifty.

Option Analysis

Let's look at why each option is or isn't the correct antonym:

• resentful: Incorrect. Its meaning is unrelated to spending.
• wasteful: Incorrect. It is a synonym or similar concept to EXTRAVAGANT.
• thrifty: Correct. It means careful with money, which is the opposite of spending carelessly (EXTRAVAGANT).
• deficient: Incorrect. Its meaning is unrelated to having enough of something, not spending habits.

Identifying the Antonym of EXTRAVAGANT

Based on the definitions and analysis, the word that is the opposite in meaning to EXTRAVAGANT is thrifty.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Additional Information: Learning Antonyms and Synonyms

Learning antonyms and synonyms is a great way to improve your vocabulary. Antonyms help you understand the range of meaning for a word by showing its opposite. Synonyms help you understand words that have similar meanings, giving you alternative ways to express ideas.

When you encounter a new word like EXTRAVAGANT, try to think of:

• Words that mean the same or similar (synonyms): wasteful, profligate, lavish.
• Words that mean the opposite (antonyms): thrifty, economical, frugal.

Understanding these relationships helps you use words more precisely in your writing and speaking.