Choose the most appropriate antonym for the given word: SACROSANCT
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Irreverent
- Sacrosanct means too sacred or important to be questioned, changed or treated without respect (from the Latin sacer, sacred + sanctus, holy).
Example: For the old priest, the temple rituals were sacrosanct. - Irreverent means showing no respect for things that others treat as sacred or serious. Treating something as holy is opposed to treating it without respect, so irreverent is the antonym among the options.
Example: His irreverent jokes about the ceremony upset the elders.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Sanguine — Incorrect. Sanguine means hopeful and cheerful about the future; it has nothing to do with respect for sacred things.
Example: The coach was sanguine about the team's chances.
Option 2: Intransigent — Incorrect. Intransigent means refusing to change one's views or to agree; it describes stubbornness, not disrespect.
Example: The intransigent leader rejected every offer of talks.
Option 4: Involuble — Incorrect. "Involuble" is not a standard English word. The similar-looking word inviolable (never to be broken or attacked) is close in meaning to sacrosanct, not opposite.
| Synonyms (Sacrosanct) | Antonyms (Sacrosanct) |
|---|---|
| sacred | irreverent |
| inviolable | profane |
| hallowed | unholy |
| untouchable | desecrated |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacrosanct | – | – | – | 18-06 S1 | – |
| sanguine | – | – | – | – | 20-07 S1 |