Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the term underlined in the given sentence. The firefighter's courageous actions saved many lives during the blaze.

Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024

Explanation

The question asks for the antonym (opposite) of the word 'courageous'.
'Courageous' means being brave, bold, and willing to face danger.
'Fearful' means feeling or showing fear and apprehension.
Therefore, 'Fearful' is the direct opposite of 'courageous' in meaning.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: This word describes something that causes fear in others, not the internal feeling of being afraid. A courageous person can be in a scary situation.
Option B: This is a synonym for 'courageous', not an antonym. It has a very similar meaning.
Option C: This word describes a personality trait related to kindness and sympathy, which is unrelated to the concept of bravery or fear.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Antonyms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Precise communication is critical in all professional settings, including healthcare. Understanding the exact meaning of words, including their opposites (antonyms), prevents misinterpretation in patient documentation, team handovers, and when giving instructions.
What if? If a nurse documented a patient's attitude before surgery as 'valorous' when they actually meant 'fearful', the surgical team might misjudge the patient's emotional state and fail to provide necessary reassurance and anxiolytic support.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core task from the question. Here, the task is to find the 'ANTONYM' of the underlined word.
Define the underlined word, 'courageous'. It means brave or heroic.
Next, analyze each option to determine its meaning and relationship to 'courageous'.
Evaluate 'Scary': It means 'causing fear', which is different from 'feeling fear'. Eliminate it.
Evaluate 'Valorous': It means 'showing courage', which is a synonym. Eliminate it.
Evaluate 'Warm-hearted': It means 'kind', which is unrelated. Eliminate it.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Antonyms
Stem keywords: antonym, courageous
Lead-in keywords: most appropriate
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QrSg5jxOiYmNk4osdBFSDw

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 3189-3191, 1065-1067, 3869-3872

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