Choose the most appropriate antonym for Vitiate from the options given below:-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer as per the official NTA Answer Key is Option (2) → Activate
Note: None of the given options is truly the opposite of "vitiate". Vitiate means to spoil or impair; a true antonym would be purify, strengthen or validate, none of which is offered. NTA's answer, Activate (to make something active or set it working), is the closest option: vitiate takes away the force of a thing while activate gives it force, so of the four options it is the only one that points the other way.
Example: The new card was activated as soon as she entered the PIN.
To vitiate is to spoil or weaken something so that it loses its force or effect. In law, a vitiated contract is one that has been made invalid. The question asks for the word that runs the other way.
Example: A single false statement can vitiate the whole agreement.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Debase — Incorrect. To debase is to lower the quality, value or character of something. It is close to vitiate in meaning, a synonym rather than an antonym.
Example: Adding cheap metal debased the gold coins.
Option 3: Avenge — Incorrect. To avenge is to punish someone in return for a wrong done to oneself or another. It has no link with spoiling or improving something.
Example: The hero swore to avenge his brother's death.
Option 4: Offend — Incorrect. To offend is to hurt someone's feelings or upset them. It is not the opposite of vitiate.
Example: His careless joke offended the guests.
| Synonyms of vitiate: spoil, impair, corrupt, debase Antonyms of vitiate: purify, improve, validate, strengthen |