Which two words are most opposite in meaning? virtuous, impecunious, calm, nefarious, nonchalant, fastidious
The correct answer and explanation is :
The two words that are most opposite in meaning from the given list are virtuous and nefarious.
- Virtuous refers to possessing high moral standards, being ethical, good, or righteous in behavior. A virtuous person is one who adheres to principles of morality and shows traits like honesty, kindness, and integrity.
- Nefarious, on the other hand, describes something that is wicked, evil, or villainous. It is used to characterize actions, behaviors, or people who engage in criminal or immoral acts, often with malicious intent.
These two words are opposite in meaning because they represent extreme moral contrasts. “Virtuous” refers to the highest level of moral goodness, while “nefarious” refers to a complete lack of moral integrity and involvement in harmful or evil actions.
Explanation of Other Words:
- Impecunious refers to being poor or lacking money, and although it is a negative trait, it does not directly contrast with “virtuous” in terms of morality. It mainly refers to financial status, not moral character.
- Calm refers to a state of tranquility or peacefulness, often related to emotional or environmental stillness. It doesn’t contrast with “virtuous” or “nefarious” in the same direct moral sense.
- Nonchalant means being casually unconcerned or indifferent, typically regarding something that others might find important. This word describes an emotional or behavioral attitude but doesn’t inherently have a strong moral connotation like “virtuous” and “nefarious.”
- Fastidious describes a person who is very attentive to detail or difficult to please, often with high standards for cleanliness or order. While it implies a level of meticulousness, it doesn’t directly relate to moral good or evil.
Therefore, virtuous and nefarious are the most opposite in meaning, as they represent fundamental moral opposites.