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Question

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.

COURTEOUS

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2020-21 Previous Year Paper (15-Nov-2021) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

rude

Finding the Antonym of Courteous

The question asks us to find the most appropriate antonym for the word "COURTEOUS". An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. Let's break down the meaning of "courteous" and examine the given options.

Understanding Courteous

The word courteous means having or showing good manners; polite. It describes someone who is respectful, considerate, and well-behaved towards others. Being courteous involves politeness, respect, and thoughtfulness in one's interactions.

Analyzing the Options

We are given four options:

  1. modest
  2. rude
  3. humble
  4. polite

Let's look at the meaning of each option:

  • Modest: This means not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements; humble. It relates to a person's view of themselves rather than their manners towards others, although a modest person might also be courteous.
  • Rude: This means offensively impolite or ill-mannered. Someone who is rude shows a lack of respect or consideration for others.
  • Humble: Similar to modest, this means having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance. It's about one's self-perception, not directly about how they treat others in terms of manners, though a humble person is often polite.
  • Polite: This means behaving in a way that is respectful of and considerate towards other people; well-mannered. This is very close in meaning to courteous, essentially a synonym.

Identifying the Antonym

We are looking for the word opposite in meaning to courteous (polite, well-mannered, respectful). Comparing the meanings of the options:

  • Modest is not the opposite of courteous.
  • Humble is not the opposite of courteous.
  • Polite is a synonym of courteous, not an antonym.
  • Rude is the opposite of polite and well-mannered. Someone who is rude is the opposite of someone who is courteous.

Therefore, the most appropriate antonym of courteous is rude.

Word Meaning Relationship to Courteous
Courteous Polite, well-mannered, respectful The base word
Modest Not boastful, humble Not an antonym
Rude Impolite, ill-mannered, disrespectful Opposite (Antonym)
Humble Having a low estimate of one's importance, modest Not an antonym
Polite Respectful and considerate towards others, well-mannered Similar (Synonym)

Conclusion on Courteous Antonym

Based on the definitions and comparison, the word that means the opposite of being polite and well-mannered (courteous) is being impolite and ill-mannered (rude). Thus, rude is the most appropriate antonym.

Revision Table: Understanding Courteous and Rude

Term Key Characteristics Example Behavior
Courteous Polite, respectful, considerate, well-mannered Saying "please" and "thank you", holding a door for someone, listening attentively.
Rude Impolite, disrespectful, inconsiderate, ill-mannered Interrupting others, speaking disrespectfully, ignoring someone, using offensive language.

Additional Information: Expanding Vocabulary - Antonyms

Understanding antonyms is a crucial part of vocabulary building. Antonyms help us to express contrasts and can clarify the meaning of words by showing what they are not. For example, knowing the antonym of "hot" (cold) helps define "hot" more clearly.

Some common antonym pairs include:

  • Happy – Sad
  • Big – Small
  • Fast – Slow
  • Light – Dark
  • Love – Hate

Identifying antonyms requires understanding the core meaning of the word and finding a word that represents the direct opposite in a specific context. For "courteous," the opposite is found in behaviour towards others – being impolite or rude.

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