In the following question, from the four alternatives, select the option that is NOT a synonym for the word.
Grateful

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The question requires identifying the word that is not a synonym for 'Grateful'.
'Grateful' means feeling or showing appreciation and thankfulness, which is a positive emotion.
'Anxiety' is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, which is a negative emotion.
Therefore, 'anxiety' is fundamentally different in meaning and emotional tone from 'grateful' and is not a synonym.

Option A: 'Fulfilled' means feeling satisfied or happy. While it's not a direct synonym for 'grateful', it is a positive emotion, unlike 'anxiety'. A person can feel grateful without being fulfilled, but the words are not antonyms.
Option B: 'Obliged' is a synonym for 'grateful'. It means to be under a moral obligation to be thankful for a service or favor. For example, the phrase "I am much obliged" is a common way to express thanks.
Option D: 'Indebted' is a direct synonym for 'grateful'. It means owing gratitude to someone for their help or kindness.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Synonyms and Antonyms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests vocabulary and language comprehension, which are fundamental skills for nurses.
Clear communication is critical in healthcare to understand patient concerns, provide accurate instructions, and document care precisely. A strong vocabulary prevents misunderstandings.
What if the nurse misunderstands a patient who says they feel 'obliged' to follow a treatment plan? The nurse might misinterpret this as the patient feeling forced, rather than feeling grateful for the care and motivated to comply. Understanding nuances in language is key to therapeutic communication.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the core meaning of the given word, 'Grateful', which is to be thankful.
Next, read the lead-in carefully: the question asks for the word that is 'NOT a synonym'. This means you are looking for an antonym or an unrelated word.
Evaluate each option's relationship to 'Grateful'.
Option A, 'fulfilled', is a positive emotion but about satisfaction, not thankfulness. It's related but not a synonym.
Option B, 'obliged', and Option D, 'indebted', are clear synonyms for being thankful.
Option C, 'anxiety', is a negative emotion of worry, which is unrelated and opposite in tone to gratitude. This makes it the most likely correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Synonyms and Antonyms
Stem keywords: Grateful, Synonym
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the option that is NOT a synonym for the given word.

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.