Choose the correct antonym of the underlined word in the following sentence from the given options:-
The boy's illness enervated the whole community.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → energised
- Enervate means to weaken; to drain someone of energy. It comes from the Latin "enervare" (to cut the sinews). The boy's illness drained the strength and spirit of the whole community.
Example: The long, humid summer enervated the workers. - Energise means to fill with energy and enthusiasm. It is the opposite of draining energy, so energised is the antonym.
Example: The coach's speech energised the tired players.
Roots: enervate is from the Latin "e-" (out of) + "nervus" (sinew), taking the strength out; energise is from the Greek "energeia" (activity), from "en-" (in) + "ergon" (work), putting activity in.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: worried — Incorrect. Worried means made anxious; it is a feeling, not the opposite of losing energy.
Example: The delay worried the passengers.
Option 2: enhanced — Incorrect. Enhanced means improved in quality or value; it is used of things such as beauty or performance, not as the opposite of being drained of strength.
Example: The new lighting enhanced the beauty of the hall.
Option 4: weakened — Incorrect. Weakened means made less strong; it is a synonym of enervated, not its opposite.
Example: The fever weakened him for weeks.
| Synonyms (Enervate) | Antonyms (Enervate) |
|---|---|
| weaken | energise |
| exhaust | invigorate |
| drain | strengthen |
| sap | revitalise |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| enervate | 19-05 S2 | 19-05 S2 21-05 S1 | – | – | – |