Choose the correct antonym of the following underlined word from the given options:
Her illness enervated the whole family.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → energised
- Enervated means made weak and tired; drained of energy. It comes from the Latin enervare (e- "out of" + nervus "sinew"): to take the strength out of someone. Her illness wore out the whole family.
Example: The long, humid summer enervated the workers. - Energised means filled with energy and enthusiasm. It is the exact reverse of being drained of strength, so energised is the antonym.
Example: The good news energised the whole team.
Roots: enervate is from the Latin nervus (sinew), energise from the Greek ergon (work); the two words look alike but are unrelated, and their meanings are opposite.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: exhausted — Incorrect. Exhausted means extremely tired; it is a synonym of enervated, not an antonym.
Example: The runners were exhausted after the marathon.
Option 2: weakened — Incorrect. Weakened means made less strong; it too has the same meaning as enervated.
Example: The fever weakened him for weeks.
Option 4: detached — Incorrect. Detached means separated, or not emotionally involved; it says nothing about energy.
Example: The judge remained calm and detached throughout the trial.
| Synonyms (Enervate) | Antonyms (Enervate) |
|---|---|
| exhaust | energise |
| weaken | invigorate |
| drain | strengthen |
| debilitate | revitalise |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| enervate | 20-05 S1 | 19-05 S2 21-05 S1 | – | – | – |