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Question

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.

Barbaric

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2020 Tier-II (English) Previous Year Paper (29-Jan-2022)
The correct answer is

Civilised

Finding the Antonym of Barbaric

The question asks us to select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word, which is "Barbaric". An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.

Understanding the word "Barbaric"

The word "Barbaric" typically describes something that is:

  • Savagely cruel or brutally fierce.
  • Primitive or uncivilized in manners or customs.
  • Lacking refinement or culture.

So, "Barbaric" carries the sense of being wild, uncivilized, cruel, or crude.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the meanings of the given options:

  1. Brutal: This means savagely violent, cruel, or harsh. This word is very similar in meaning to "Barbaric", especially in the sense of cruelty. It is a synonym, not an antonym.
  2. Civilised: This means polite and well-mannered; showing evidence of an advanced stage of social and cultural development. This word represents the opposite of being primitive, uncivilized, or lacking refinement.
  3. Inhuman: This means lacking humane qualities; cruel and brutal. This word is also very close in meaning to "Barbaric", particularly emphasizing cruelty and lack of humanity. It is a synonym, not an antonym.
  4. Cruel: This means willfully causing pain or suffering to others or feeling no concern about it. Like "Brutal" and "Inhuman", this is a strong synonym for the cruel aspect of "Barbaric".

Based on the meanings, "Civilised" is the most direct opposite of "Barbaric", which means uncivilized or primitive.

Comparing Meanings

Word Meaning Relationship to "Barbaric"
Barbaric Uncivilized, primitive, savagely cruel Target word
Brutal Savagely cruel, harsh Synonym (partial)
Civilised Polite, well-mannered, culturally advanced Antonym
Inhuman Cruel, brutal, lacking humanity Synonym (partial)
Cruel Willfully causing suffering Synonym (partial)

The option that represents the state of being developed culturally and socially, with refinement and good manners, is "Civilised". This is clearly the opposite of being "Barbaric", which implies a lack of these qualities, often coupled with cruelty or primitiveness.

Conclusion

The most appropriate antonym for "Barbaric" is "Civilised".

Revision Table: Mastering Antonyms

Word Antonym Example Context
Barbaric Civilised From barbaric customs to civilised practices.
Cruel Kind A cruel punishment vs. a kind gesture.
Brutal Gentle A brutal attack vs. a gentle touch.
Inhuman Humane An inhuman act vs. a humane approach.

Additional Information: Expanding Your Vocabulary

Learning antonyms is a great way to build vocabulary. When you learn a new word like "Barbaric", also try to learn its opposite, "Civilised". This helps you understand the spectrum of meaning for a concept.

Understanding the nuances between words like "Brutal", "Inhuman", and "Cruel" is also important, even though they are similar to "Barbaric". While all suggest harshness or lack of kindness, "Barbaric" specifically often includes the idea of being uncivilized or primitive, whereas the others focus more purely on the aspect of causing suffering.

Regular practice with word lists and context helps solidify your understanding of antonyms and synonyms.

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