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Question

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word.

The soldiers were irresolute and so, they won the war for the infantry and the country.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II (Paper 2 JSO) Previous Year Paper (04-Mar-2023)
The correct answer is

decisive

Finding the Appropriate Antonym

The question asks us to find the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word "irresolute" in the given sentence: "The soldiers were irresolute and so, they won the war for the infantry and the country."

Let's first understand the meaning of the word "irresolute".

  • Irresolute: This word means feeling or showing hesitancy; uncertain; wavering; lacking determination or purpose.

The sentence implies a cause-and-effect relationship where being "irresolute" led to winning the war. This seems counter-intuitive, as determination is usually linked to success in conflict. However, we must focus on the meaning of the word itself and find its opposite among the options.

Now, let's examine the provided options:

  1. harsh: This means unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses; cruel or severe. This word is not related to determination or hesitation.
  2. variant: This means a form or version of something that differs in some respect from other forms of the same type. This word is not related to determination or hesitation.
  3. default: This refers to a preselected option adopted by a computer program or other mechanism when no alternative is specified; a failure to act; failure to fulfill an obligation. While "failure to act" might seem slightly related to hesitation, it's not a direct opposite of determination.
  4. decisive: This means settling an issue; producing a definite result; characterized by or indicating resolution and firmness; showing determination. This word directly describes someone who is not hesitant and shows strong determination and firmness.

Comparing the meaning of "irresolute" (hesitant, lacking determination) with the options, "decisive" (showing determination and firmness) is the most appropriate antonym.

Therefore, the antonym of "irresolute" is "decisive".

Word Meaning Relation to "Irresolute"
Irresolute Hesitant, wavering, lacking determination The word itself
Harsh Cruel, severe Not an antonym
Variant Different form Not an antonym
Default Failure to act, standard option Not a direct antonym
Decisive Showing determination and firmness Appropriate Antonym

Revision Table: Understanding Antonyms

Term Definition Example Pair (Antonyms)
Antonym A word opposite in meaning to another word. Hot <--> Cold
Synonym A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language. Happy <--> Joyful
Vocabulary The body of words used in a particular language. Building strong vocabulary improves communication.

Additional Information on Vocabulary Building

Building your vocabulary is essential for understanding and using language effectively. Learning antonyms and synonyms is a great way to expand your word knowledge. When you learn a new word like "irresolute," try to find its opposite ("decisive") and words with similar meanings (synonyms like "hesitant" or "undecided").

Practicing with context clues in sentences, using flashcards, and reading widely can help you remember new words and their relationships to other words.

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