Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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HSPT Language Skills › Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Questions 1 - 4
1

An antonym of "ruffled" is __________.

placid

vexed

negative

unsoiled

unpolluted

Explanation

When something is "ruffled", it is literally taken out of order or arrangement. We often speak of "ruffling" someone's hair or some other semi-arranged set of items. As an emotional state, "ruffled" means disturbed or not calm. In contrast to this, the term "placid" means calm with little disturbance or change.

2

An antonym of "exasperated" is __________.

delighted

completed

prepared

available

demolished

Explanation

To exasperate someone is to make that person completely tired and irritated about something. For instance, "The arduous and tedious process of reviewing the details of the exam exasperated the young man, for he knew all of the answers already." An exasperated person is likely quite angry, so "delighted" is an excellent antonym for this word.

3

An antonym of "fearful" is __________.

valiant

temerarious

trepidatious

tremulous

benign

Explanation

Valor is a courage that will face almost anything. To be "valiant" is to have such courage and to lack fear. Someone who is "temerarious" might lack fear but such a person is more than likely just rash and unthinking. The words "trepidatious" and "tremulous" are generally synonymous of "fearful". The best option, therefore, is "valiant."

4

An antonym of "stolid" is __________.

tempestuous

liquid

fluid

brilliant

active

Explanation

A stolid person is calm and dependable. Often, such people are unemotional as well. Such a personality is greatly contrasted to one that could be called "tempestuous"—which takes its name from the idea of a strong storm (a "tempest"). A tempestuous personality is very emotional, with changes and conflicts in overall emotional character.

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