What is the antonym of 'Humble'?

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE, SNO-2024

Explanation

'Arrogant' means having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
This is the direct opposite of 'Humble,' which means having a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.
While other words relate to personality, 'Arrogant' is the only true antonym in the set.

Option A: This is a synonym for 'Humble', not an antonym. Both words describe a person who is not overly proud.
Option C: This refers to respectful and considerate behavior (manners). It is not directly related to one's sense of self-importance.
Option D: This is another synonym for 'Humble', often implying submissiveness. It describes a quality similar to humility, not its opposite.

Visual 1: Word Spectrum - A simple line diagram showing 'Humble' on one end and 'Arrogant' on the opposite end, with related synonyms like 'Modest' and 'Meek' near 'Humble'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Antonyms (Vocabulary) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a general English question, strong vocabulary and communication skills are essential for nurses.
Understanding the nuances of words helps in building therapeutic relationships with patients and communicating effectively with the healthcare team.
A nurse's demeanor can impact patient trust. A humble and approachable attitude is generally more conducive to a positive nurse-patient relationship than an arrogant one.

How to Approach the Question

First, define the key word in the question stem. 'Humble' means not proud or having a low view of one's importance.
Next, understand the task. The question asks for the 'antonym,' which means the word with the opposite meaning.
Evaluate each option against the definition of 'Humble'.
Eliminate synonyms. 'Modest' and 'Meek' are similar in meaning to 'Humble', so they are incorrect.
Eliminate unrelated words. 'Polite' refers to manners, not self-perception, so it is not a direct opposite.
Identify the word with the opposite meaning. 'Arrogant' means having an exaggerated sense of self-importance, making it the correct antonym.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full AIIMS CRE, SNO-2024

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