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Question

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word to fill in the blank.

Instead of becoming joyous to hear the breaking news, she became _________.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

melancholic

Understanding the Question: Finding the Antonym of Joyous

The question asks us to select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word "joyous" from the given options. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. We need to find a word that describes the opposite feeling of being joyous.

Defining the Word: Joyous

The word "joyous" means feeling, expressing, or causing great happiness and delight. Someone who is joyous is full of joy and happiness, often outwardly showing their positive feelings.

The sentence indicates that instead of feeling happy about the breaking news, the person felt the opposite.

Analyzing the Options for Antonym of Joyous

Let's examine the meaning of each provided option:

  • melancholic: Feeling or expressing pensive sadness. It means being sad or gloomy.
  • vengeful: Seeking to harm someone in return for a perceived injury or wrongdoing. It relates to revenge.
  • ecstatic: Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement. This is similar to joyous, not opposite.
  • exuberant: Filled with or characterized by lively energy and excitement. This is also similar to joyous, not opposite.

Finding the Most Appropriate Antonym

We are looking for the opposite of "joyous" (great happiness and delight). Let's compare the options:

  • "Melancholic" means sad or gloomy. This is clearly the opposite of being happy or joyous.
  • "Vengeful" relates to revenge, which is not the opposite of joy.
  • "Ecstatic" means extremely happy, which is a synonym or similar to joyous, not an antonym.
  • "Exuberant" means lively and excited, which is also related to positive energy and happiness, not the opposite of joyous.

Therefore, "melancholic" is the word that is most opposite in meaning to "joyous".

Comparison: Joyous vs. Options
Word Meaning Relationship to Joyous
Joyous Great happiness and delight ---
Melancholic Pensive sadness; gloomy Opposite (Antonym)
Vengeful Seeking revenge Unrelated
Ecstatic Overwhelming happiness Similar (Synonym)
Exuberant Lively energy and excitement Similar

Explanation of the Correct Antonym: Melancholic

The sentence describes a situation where the person felt the opposite of joyous upon hearing the news. Feeling sad or gloomy, as described by "melancholic," is the direct opposite of feeling great happiness and delight, which is the meaning of "joyous." Thus, "melancholic" fits perfectly in the blank to convey the opposite reaction.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary for Antonyms

Vocabulary: Antonyms of Joyous
Word Meaning Antonym Example
Joyous Full of happiness and delight Melancholic, Sad, Gloomy
Melancholic Feeling or showing sadness Joyous, Happy, Cheerful
Ecstatic Extremely happy Depressed, Unhappy
Exuberant Lively and energetic Lethargic, Unenthusiastic

Additional Information: Understanding Antonyms

Antonyms are crucial for building a strong vocabulary and understanding the nuances of language. They help us express contrast and opposition effectively. Knowing antonyms allows for more precise communication and a deeper comprehension of word meanings.

Examples of Antonym Pairs:

  • Hot – Cold
  • Big – Small
  • Up – Down
  • Love – Hate
  • Beginning – End

Identifying antonyms often involves understanding the core meaning of a word and then finding another word that represents the opposite state, quality, or action.

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