Choose the correct antonym of the following underlined word:
The chairman's little joke provided a rare moment of levity in an otherwise dreary meeting.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → gravity
Levity means humour or lack of seriousness, especially at a time when seriousness is expected. The chairman's little joke brought a light, humorous moment into a dull meeting. Its antonym is gravity.
Example: His jokes added a touch of levity to the long speech.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) volatility | a tendency to change suddenly and unpredictably (it is not about humour or seriousness) | The volatility of the share market worried small investors. |
| (2) buoyancy | (of mood) cheerfulness and lightness of spirit (it is close in meaning to levity, not its opposite) | Her natural buoyancy helped her get over the defeat. |
| (3) lightness | (of mood) a cheerful, carefree quality (it is a synonym of levity, not an antonym) | There was a lightness in her voice after the good news. |
| (4) gravity (answer) | great seriousness or solemnity (seriousness is the opposite of lack of seriousness) | The judge spoke with great gravity before passing the sentence. |
| Synonyms of levity: lightness, frivolity, flippancy, light-heartedness Antonyms of levity: gravity, seriousness, solemnity, earnestness Also asked in CUET (UG): levity – 02-06-2025 Slot 2 gravity – 26-05-2026 Slot 1 |