Choose the most appropriate antonym of the underlined word.
After the clash, both leaders gave conciliatory speeches to calm their supporters.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Antagonistic
In the given sentence, conciliatory means meant to end a quarrel and make people calm and friendly again. Its antonym is antagonistic. Example: After the fight, Ravi wrote a conciliatory note to his friend.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Pacifying | making someone calm or less angry (a synonym of conciliatory) | The teacher spoke softly, pacifying the crying child. |
| (2) Hesitant | slow to speak or act because one is unsure | Meera was hesitant to ask the new teacher a question. |
| (3) Antagonistic (answer) | showing strong dislike or opposition, ready to fight (opposite of conciliatory) | The two shopkeepers have been antagonistic towards each other for years. |
| (4) Eloquent | able to speak well and in a moving way (a speech can be eloquent and calming at the same time, so it is not the opposite) | The chief guest gave an eloquent speech on Teachers’ Day. |
| Synonyms of conciliatory: pacifying, peacemaking, soothing, friendly Antonyms of conciliatory: antagonistic, hostile, aggressive, provocative |