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Question

The Buddha said, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burnt." 
Select the word below which is closest in meaning to the word underlined above.

The correct answer is
clutching

Understanding 'Grasping' in the Buddha Quote

The quote compares holding onto anger to the physical act of grasping a hot coal. The word "grasping" here means to seize and hold firmly.

The task is to find the word closest in meaning to "grasping" from the given options, within the context of the quote.

Identifying the Closest Synonym

The word "clutching" means to grasp something tightly, often nervously, protectively, or painfully. This aligns perfectly with the act of firmly holding a hot coal, as described in the quote.

Analyzing Option Meanings

Let's look at the other options:

  • burning: This describes the effect of the hot coal, not the action of holding it.
  • igniting: This means to set something on fire or start burning, which is not the action described.
  • clutching: This means to grasp or hold something tightly, matching the meaning of "grasping" in this context.
  • flinging: This means to throw or hurl something, which is the intended action towards someone else, not the act of holding the coal itself.

Therefore, "clutching" is the word closest in meaning to "grasping" as used in the quote.

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Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms

  1. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    Whether the rewards arein commensurate withthe efforts or not, a society will always have workaholics and the shirk workgroups.

  2. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    Wars leave behind a large number ofemaciatedsoldiers in the camps of both the victorious and the vanquished.

  3. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    There was amammothgathering to listen to the leader.

  4. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    The audience thoroughly enjoyed thehilariousdrama.

  5. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    The writer’seruditionin science is revealed in every page of the book.

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