Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the highlighted word.

The players seem to be suffering from exertion.

inaction

The most appropriate antonym of the highlighted word exertion is inaction.

• Exertion means "the act of using physical or mental energy."
• Inaction means "the state of not doing anything; inactivity."

The other words have different meanings to exertion, so they are not good antonyms.

• Suffocation means "the state of being unable to breathe because of a lack of air."
• Traction means "the force that pulls two surfaces together."
• Reaction means "a response to a stimulus."