Select the most appropriate synonym of the word given in bold in the following sentence. In his youth Joyonto must have been startlingly handsome.
amazingly
Understanding the Question
The question asks us to find the most appropriate synonym for the word "startlingly" as used in the sentence: "In his youth Joyonto must have been startlingly handsome." We need to choose from the given options.
Meaning of "Startlingly"
The word "startlingly" is an adverb. It comes from the verb "startle," which means to surprise or frighten someone suddenly. Therefore, "startlingly" means in a way that is surprising, astonishing, or remarkable. When describing handsomeness, "startlingly handsome" suggests a level of handsomeness that is so great it is surprising or astonishing.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the meanings of the given options:
- enviously: This adverb means in a way that shows envy (a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck).
- lightly: This adverb means with little weight or force, gently, or without seriousness.
- wrinkly: This is an adjective (though presented as an adverb option, which is unusual). It describes something having wrinkles. Used adverbially (like "wrinkly"), it would mean in a wrinkled manner. This doesn't fit the context of handsomeness.
- amazingly: This adverb means in a way that causes great surprise or wonder; astonishingly or wonderfully.
Let's compare these meanings to "startlingly" in the context of describing how handsome someone was.
| Word | Meaning | Fit with "handsome" |
|---|---|---|
| Startlingly | Surprisingly, astonishingly, remarkably | Describes handsomeness that is so striking it surprises people. |
| Enviously | Showing envy | Describes how someone might *look* at a handsome person, not the handsomeness itself. |
| Lightly | Gently, without seriousness | Doesn't fit with describing a degree of handsomeness. |
| Wrinkly | Having wrinkles | Opposite of youthful handsomeness. |
| Amazingly | Astonishingly, wonderfully | Describes handsomeness that causes great surprise or wonder. |
Identifying the Most Appropriate Synonym
Comparing the meanings, "amazingly" is the closest synonym to "startlingly" when describing someone's appearance, specifically their handsomeness. Both words convey a sense of surprise or astonishment at the degree of the quality being described. "Startlingly handsome" means handsome in a way that startles or surprises you, just as "amazingly handsome" means handsome in a way that amazes you.
The other options ("enviously", "lightly", "wrinkly") do not convey a similar meaning and are not appropriate synonyms in this context.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the word meanings and the context of the sentence, "amazingly" is the most appropriate synonym for "startlingly".
Revision Table: Synonyms for Startlingly
| Word | Common Synonyms |
|---|---|
| Startlingly | Amazingly, astonishingly, surprisingly, remarkably, stunningly |
Additional Information: Adverbs of Degree
Words like "startlingly" and "amazingly" are adverbs that modify adjectives (like "handsome") to indicate the degree or intensity of the quality. Other adverbs of degree include:
- Very
- Extremely
- Incredibly
- Remarkably
- Unusually
- Terribly (can mean "very" in informal contexts, e.g., "terribly sorry")
These adverbs help to provide more detail about the extent to which a quality exists.
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Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words (a), (b), (c), and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in your Answer Sheet accordingly.
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Which of the following statements about the Deccan Riots Commission is/are correct?
1. The Commission did not hold enquiries in the districts which were not affected.
2. The Commission did record the statements of ryots, sahukars and eye-witnesses.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
