HSPT Verbal : Antonyms: Other Verbs
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Other Verbs
An antonym of "extol" is __________.
disclaim
deride
laud
neglect
acclaim
deride
The word "extol" means to praise. Several options among the answers are synonyms for this—"laud" and "acclaim". The word "disclaim" is not an antonym. It means to deny. This is not the opposite of praising, however. The word "deride" means to show contempt about something. It is related to "ridicule" and "ridiculous"—the idea being that "deriding" means to make fun of something.
Example Question #2 : Antonyms: Other Verbs
An antonym of "jeopardize" is __________.
miscalculate
support
estimate
reckon
preserve
preserve
When we put something "into jeopardy," we put that thing at risk. The verb "jeopardize" merely signifies the act of putting something into such a risky situation. The best contrast to this is to protect the thing. Among the options provided, only "preserve" has this sense of protecting in contrast to endangering the thing in question.
Example Question #3 : Antonyms: Other Verbs
An antonym of "corroborate" is __________.
fulminate
correct
pity
contradict
defame
contradict
The most frequent use of "corroborate" is probably in the sense of a courtroom testimony "corroborating" the truth or falsity of some claim. Such corroboration helps to support the claim being made. Such evidence is the opposite of contradicting evident—i.e. evidence that seems to speak against the claim being made.
Example Question #4 : Antonyms: Other Verbs
An antonym of "divulge" is __________.
conceal
apprehend
accuse
collaborate
heal
conceal
We often speak of divulging in the context of secrets that are divulged. This means that they were revealed. Surprisingly the word is related to "vulgar" which means the masses or the common people. When you divulge something, you tell it to everyone—even the "commoners." In contrast to this, when we conceal something, we "cover it up" or keep it from being known or seen.
Example Question #5 : Antonyms: Other Verbs
An antonym of "accost" is __________.
complain
pardon
alleviate
evade
reduce
evade
The word "accost" does not have to do with the price of goods. Strangely enough, it comes from the Latin that literally means to be at the side of someone or something else. In English, it means to speak to in a strong and vigorous manner. Often, it is an aggressive kind of speech, confrontational in nature. The point for this question is that accosting is directly addressing something. In contrast to this, evading something is avoiding it, quite the opposite of dealing with something "head on."
Example Question #6 : Antonyms: Other Verbs
An antonym of "alleviate" is __________.
condemn
gratify
smite
exacerbate
torque
exacerbate
The word "alleviate" comes from Latin roots meaning light (in the sense of being not heavy). To alleviate something is to make it lighter or to reduce it. Related words are "levity" (meaning humor or light-heartedness) and "levitate." The best contrast among the options given is "exacerbate," meaning to make worse. It is related to "acerbic," which means biting and sharp—as in "acerbic wit."
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