Choose the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
Though she knew the answer, the diffident girl did not raise her hand in class.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Shy
In the given sentence, diffident means not confident about oneself, so slow to speak or act. Its synonym is shy. Example: The diffident new boy spoke very softly on his first day.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Indifferent | not interested, not caring (the girl did care but lacked confidence) | Rahul was indifferent to cricket and read a book during the match. |
| (2) Defiant | boldly refusing to obey (a defiant person is bold, not timid, so it is nearer the opposite) | The defiant boy refused to hand over his phone to the teacher. |
| (3) Shy (answer) | nervous and uneasy with other people (same as diffident) | Little Meena is too shy to sing in front of guests. |
| (4) Careless | not paying enough attention (the girl knew the answer but did not feel sure enough to speak) | A careless mistake in the last sum cost Priya two marks. |
| Synonyms of diffident: shy, timid, hesitant, unassertive Antonyms of diffident: confident, bold, self-assured, assertive |