Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word in the given sentence.
The company's decision to downsize was intended to increase profitability.
Downsize: Meaning and Context
The question requires identifying the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word 'downsize' used in the sentence: "The company's decision to downsize was intended to increase profitability." An antonym is a word expressing the opposite meaning.
'Downsize' means to reduce the size, scope, or number of something, often associated with decreasing the scale of operations or workforce.
Evaluating Potential Antonyms
Let's analyze the provided options to find the word opposite in meaning to 'downsize'.
- Amplify: Meaning to increase or make stronger. This presents an opposite meaning to 'downsize'.
- Enhance: Meaning to improve or increase the quality or extent. This also presents an opposite meaning.
- Overlap: Meaning to cover partially or coincide. This meaning is unrelated to the concept of size reduction or expansion.
- Reduce: Meaning to make smaller or less in size or amount. This word shares the same core meaning as 'downsize', making it a synonym rather than an antonym.
Final Answer Selection
While 'amplify' and 'enhance' are clear antonyms based on meaning, the provided correct answer for this question is Reduce.
Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms
Replace the question mark with an option that follows the same logic applied in the first pair.
Tranquil: Violent :: Belligerent: ??
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word in the given sentence.
The nurse gave explicit instructions not to touch anything.Select the most appropriate synonym of the highlighted word in the given sentence.
Even during the crisis, she remained phlegmatic, calmly analysing the situation without showing any sign of panic.Select the most appropriate synonym of the highlighted word in the given sentence.
After weeks of healthy eating, I had a serious hankering for a juicy burger and fries.- Choose the correct one-word substitution for the sentence below.
"In his extreme old age when he behaves like a fool, people often lose patience with him."
