Choose the correct antonym for the underlined word in the given sentence:
He has a penchant for writing satirical poems.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → an aversion
- Penchant means a strong liking for something or a habit of enjoying it. It comes from the French pencher (to lean). He enjoys writing satirical poems.
Example: She has a penchant for spicy food. - Aversion means a strong dislike. A strong liking and a strong dislike are opposites, so an aversion is the antonym of a penchant. It comes from the Latin avertere (to turn away): one leans towards what one likes and turns away from what one dislikes.
Example: He has an aversion to crowded places.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: longing — Incorrect. Longing means a strong wish for something, often something one does not have; it is close to a liking, not its opposite.
Example: The soldier felt a deep longing for home.
Option 2: bias — Incorrect. Bias means an unfair leaning for or against someone; it is not the opposite of a liking.
Example: A judge must decide without bias.
Option 4: yearning — Incorrect. Yearning means an intense longing; like longing, it is close to penchant in sense.
Example: She had a yearning to see the sea.
| Synonyms (Penchant) | Antonyms (Penchant) |
|---|---|
| liking | aversion |
| fondness | dislike |
| inclination | distaste |
| predilection | antipathy |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| penchant | – | – | – | 31-05 S3 05-06 S3 | – |
| aversion | 15-05 S1 21-05 S1 | – | – | – | 10-08 S1 |