Synonyms

Step 1: Concept
Propitious describes something that gives or indicates a good chance of success.
Step 2: Meaning
It means being auspicious or indicating a good omen.
Step 3: Analysis
- Favourable (Option a) means to the advantage of someone or something, which aligns with propitious.
Step 4: Conclusion
The correct answer is (a).
Final Answer: (a)

Step 1: Concept
Solitude refers to the state or situation of being alone.
Step 2: Meaning
It is often associated with a peaceful state of being by oneself.
Step 3: Analysis
- Aloneness (Option b) is a direct synonym for the state of solitude.
Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, the best alternative is (b).
Final Answer: (b)

Step 1: Concept
Preposterous is an adjective used to describe something that is contrary to reason or common sense.
Step 2: Meaning
It means utterly absurd or ridiculous.
Step 3: Analysis
- Option (c) "absurd" is the closest synonym to preposterous.
Step 4: Conclusion
The word that best expresses the meaning is absurd.
Final Answer: (c)

Step 1: Concept
Masquerade (often spelled as MOSQUERADE in older texts) refers to a way of appearing or behaving that is not true or real.
Step 2: Meaning
It typically involves wearing a mask or a disguise to conceal one's true identity.
Step 3: Analysis
- Option (b) "to go in disguise" directly matches this definition.
Step 4: Conclusion
Hence, the correct alternative is (b).
Final Answer: (b)

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A "dilettante" is a person who dabbles in an art or field of knowledge without serious commitment.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Dilettante refers to an amateur or someone with superficial interest. "Opponent" means adversary. "Specialist" and "Expert" mean professionals with deep knowledge (opposites). "Amateur" matches the meaning.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, "Amateur" is the correct synonym.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Foster" means to care for, raise, or promote the development of someone or something.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
"Encourage" means to give support, but "nurture" more precisely captures the care and development aspect of "foster." "Fabricate" means to invent falsely. "Forment" (actually "foment") means to instigate trouble. "Nurture" is the best match.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, "Nurture" is the correct synonym.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
An "enigma" is something mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
"Elusive" means difficult to find or catch, but not exactly synonymous. "Clear" is the opposite. "Praise" means expression of approval. "Puzzle" matches the meaning of something perplexing or mysterious.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, "Puzzle" is the correct synonym.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Prune" means to trim or cut back branches or reduce something by removing unwanted parts.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In gardening, pruning reduces the size of a plant. By extension, "prune" means to reduce or cut down. "Lend" means to give temporarily. "Expand" means to increase (opposite). "Prolong" means to extend in time.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, "Reduce" is the correct synonym.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Radiant" means shining or emitting light, or showing great happiness.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The primary meaning of "radiant" relates to brightness and light. "Bright" is the closest synonym. "Beautiful" is related to appearance but not specifically to light. "Plight" means a difficult situation (opposite meaning). "Influential" means having power to affect others, which is not synonymous.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, "Bright" best expresses the meaning of "Radiant."

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Resuscitate" means to revive someone from unconsciousness or to bring back to life or activity.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In economic context, it means to revive a failing economy.
(A) Meltdown - collapse, opposite
(B) Devastate - destroy, opposite
(C) Mislead - deceive, unrelated
(D) Save - to rescue from harm or death (synonym)
(E) Deactivate - to make inactive, opposite

Step 3: Final Answer:
Save

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Apocalyptic" refers to the complete and final destruction of the world, or anything momentous and catastrophic.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The word is often used to describe events of massive scale and devastation.
(A) Unwelcome - not desired, but not necessarily catastrophic
(B) Disastrous - causing great damage (synonym)
(C) Risk-free - opposite meaning
(D) Joyous - opposite meaning
(E) Ceremonious - formal, related to ceremonies, unrelated

Step 3: Final Answer:
Disastrous