Opposite in Meaning
Opposite in Meaning is an 11+ verbal reasoning question type where a word is given in capital letters and pupils choose, from five options, the word that means the opposite, its antonym. It tests vocabulary depth and precision, since the wrong options are usually near-synonyms or unrelated words designed to catch pupils who read too quickly, and it is a staple of GL Assessment verbal reasoning papers.
Method
- Read the capitalised word and think of its meaning in your own words before looking at the options.
- Think of your own opposite word first, then scan the options for the closest match to it.
- Rule out any option that means roughly the same as the given word, since a synonym is a common wrong answer.
- Rule out any option that is simply unrelated in meaning to the given word.
- If two options both seem opposite, pick the one that is the most direct and complete opposite, not just a milder contrast.
- Reread your final choice against the original word to confirm they are true opposites.
Worked example
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to GENEROUS. A) Kind B) Wealthy C) Selfish D) Charitable E) Warm.
- Generous means willing to give freely and share with others.
- The true opposite is a word describing someone unwilling to share and only thinking of themselves: selfish.
- Kind, Charitable and Warm are all close synonyms of generous, not opposites, so they are wrong.
- Wealthy describes how much money someone has, which is unrelated to generosity, so it is also wrong.
- Final answer: C) Selfish.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word in capitals. a) RIGID - A) Flexible B) Strong C) Firm D) Hard E) Sturdy. b) MODEST - A) Shy B) Humble C) Boastful D) Quiet E) Simple. c) CONCISE - A) Brief B) Short C) Verbose D) Clear E) Direct.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word in capitals. d) TIMID - A) Shy B) Bold C) Quiet D) Nervous E) Weak. e) TRIVIAL - A) Small B) Minor C) Significant D) Simple E) Petty. f) STATIONARY - A) Still B) Fixed C) Mobile D) Solid E) Steady. g) IMPULSIVE - A) Hasty B) Deliberate C) Sudden D) Rash E) Quick.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word in capitals. h) OBSTINATE - A) Stubborn B) Firm C) Compliant D) Determined E) Fixed. i) LUCID - A) Clear B) Bright C) Confusing D) Simple E) Obvious.
Free printable worksheet
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