Finding the Nearest Meaning for "Stolen"

The question asks us to identify the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "stolen" in the sentence "The jewels have been stolen from her bedroom." To answer this, let's first understand the meaning of the word "stolen" and then examine the meanings of the given options.

Meaning of "Stolen":

The word "stolen" is the past participle of the verb "to steal." To steal means to take something belonging to someone else without permission, with the intention of keeping it.

Analyzing the Options:

Let's look at the meaning of each option provided:

1. Embezzled: This means to steal or misappropriate money or assets that one has been entrusted with. It's a specific type of theft often involving financial matters or assets held in trust.
2. Asserted: This means to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully. It is related to making a strong claim.
3. Yielded: This can mean to give way to pressure, arguments, or demands, or to produce or provide something (like crops or results). It relates to giving up or producing.
4. Abdicated: This means to renounce or give up a position of power or responsibility, especially a throne.

Comparing "Stolen" with the Options:

Now let's compare the meaning of "stolen" with the meanings of the options:

• "Stolen" is a general term for taking something without permission.
• "Embezzled" is a specific type of stealing, particularly involving misuse of trust and often relating to money or valuable assets. While it's a narrower term than "stolen," it is still a form of theft. If someone in the household or someone trusted stole the jewels, "embezzled" could apply, although "stolen" is the more general and widely applicable term. However, among the given options, it is the only one related to taking something unlawfully.
• "Asserted" means stating something strongly, which is completely unrelated to theft.
• "Yielded" means giving in or producing, which is also unrelated to theft.
• "Abdicated" means giving up a position, which is unrelated to theft.

Considering the options, "Embezzled" is the only word that describes a type of theft. Although "stolen" is a broader term, "embezzled" is the closest in meaning among the choices provided, as it signifies the unlawful taking of assets, even if under specific circumstances (involving trust). The other options have meanings entirely different from stealing.

Therefore, "Embezzled" is the nearest word in meaning to "stolen" among the given alternatives.

Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary

Additional Information: Types of Theft and Synonyms

Understanding different words related to taking things unlawfully can improve your vocabulary. While "stolen" is a common term, other words describe theft under specific conditions or with different nuances.

• Larceny: The legal term for the unlawful taking of personal property.
• Burglary: Entering a building illegally with the intention of committing a crime, especially theft.
• Robbery: Taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force.
• Pilfered: To steal (typically things of relatively little value) in a casual way.
• Shoplifted: To steal goods from a shop while pretending to be a customer.

Each of these terms specifies something about the method, location, or nature of the theft. "Embezzled" specifies that the theft involved a breach of trust, usually over assets the person was supposed to manage or protect.