Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word. HARMONY
Discord
Understanding the Antonym of Harmony
The question asks us to find the most appropriate antonym for the word "HARMONY". An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.
Let's first understand the meaning of the word HARMONY.
HARMONY means a state of agreement or concord; peaceful coexistence or a pleasing arrangement of parts.
Now, let's examine the given options:
- Peace: Peace means freedom from disturbance; tranquility. This is a state similar to harmony, not its opposite.
- Discord: Discord means disagreement between people or things; lack of harmony. It refers to conflict or strife.
- Tranquility: Tranquility means the state of being tranquil; calmness. This is also similar to peace and harmony, not its opposite.
- Goodwill: Goodwill means friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude. This aligns with the idea of agreement and positive relations, which is related to harmony.
Comparing the meanings, we can see that "Discord" represents the opposite of agreement, concord, and peaceful coexistence, which are key aspects of harmony.
Therefore, the most appropriate antonym for HARMONY is DISCORD.
Detailed Analysis of Options for Harmony's Antonym
To further clarify why 'Discord' is the correct antonym, let's look at how these words are used and their core meanings:
| Word | Meaning | Relationship to Harmony |
|---|---|---|
| Harmony | Agreement, concord, peaceful coexistence, pleasing arrangement | Base word |
| Peace | Freedom from disturbance, tranquility | Synonym/Related concept |
| Discord | Disagreement, conflict, strife, lack of harmony | Antonym |
| Tranquility | Calmness, peacefulness | Synonym/Related concept |
| Goodwill | Friendly feelings, cooperation | Related concept, supportive of harmony |
From the table, it's clear that Discord is the direct opposite in meaning to Harmony, representing conflict and disagreement rather than agreement and peace.
Final Answer Derivation
Based on the meanings and analysis, the word that means the opposite of HARMONY (agreement, peace) is DISCORD (disagreement, conflict). Thus, DISCORD is the correct antonym.
Revision Table: Understanding Harmony and its Antonym Discord
| Word | Meaning | Antonym |
|---|---|---|
| Harmony | Agreement, peace, accord | Discord |
| Discord | Disagreement, conflict, strife | Harmony |
Additional Information on Antonyms and Synonyms
Understanding antonyms and synonyms is crucial for expanding vocabulary and improving comprehension. Synonyms are words with similar meanings (e.g., Happy - Joyful), while antonyms are words with opposite meanings (e.g., Hot - Cold).
Identifying antonyms often requires understanding the core concept of the word. For 'harmony', the core concept is 'agreement' or 'peaceful relation'. The opposite of this would be 'disagreement' or 'conflict'.
Practice with word pairs helps in mastering vocabulary for competitive exams and general language proficiency.
Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
He had the audacity to blame him.
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
There is exponential growth in the development of the scientific researches in the recent few decades.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The itinerary of the group’s visit to the hills was given to everyone.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
All mortal elements are impermanent.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The novel depicts the hapless status of certain sections of society.
