Replace the underlined word in the following sentence with a similar meaning word from the options given below:
The police investigation into the robbery at the ABC Mall, has revealed that the main electric supply had been sabotaged by the rebels.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → subverted
To sabotage is to deliberately damage or destroy something, often to weaken an enemy. The rebels deliberately damaged the main electric supply of the mall. Its synonym is subverted.
Example: The workers were accused of sabotaging the machines.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) supported | to help or hold up (it is nearly the opposite of sabotage) | Her family supported her decision. |
| (2) subverted (answer) | to undermine or overthrow a system by working against it, often secretly (both words mean wrecking something from within on purpose) | The rebels tried to subvert the government. |
| (3) sugar coated | to make something unpleasant seem more pleasant (it has nothing to do with damage) | The doctor did not sugar-coat the bad news. |
| (4) safeguarded | to protect from harm (the opposite of sabotage) | Locks safeguarded the documents. |
| Synonyms of sabotage: subvert, undermine, damage, wreck Antonyms of sabotage: safeguard, protect, support, preserve |