Question

Choose the word that is most OPPOSITE in meaning to the word given in capitals.

SUBSTANTIAL

• A. Extensive
• B. Independent
• C. Manifest
• D. Minimal

Hint:

Substantial means large or considerable in amount. Look for the option describing the smallest possible amount.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The word SUBSTANTIAL means large or considerable in amount, size, or importance, something sizeable rather than small. We need the option meaning very small or negligible, the reverse of considerable.

1. Extensive: This word means covering a large area or scope. It is close in meaning to substantial itself, describing something large, so it is a synonym, not an opposite.
2. Independent: This word means free from control by others, which is about self reliance, not about size or amount. It does not address the same idea as substantial at all.
3. Manifest: This word means clearly shown or obvious. It describes visibility, not size or amount, so it does not oppose substantial either.
4. Minimal: This word means the smallest possible amount, the least that can be. Since substantial describes something large and considerable, minimal is its clean and direct opposite.

Minimal is the only option that reverses the large, considerable sense of substantial into very small. So option (4), Minimal, is correct.

Let's summarize:

• Substantial means large or considerable in amount or importance.
• Extensive is a synonym, while Independent and Manifest do not relate to size at all.
• Minimal reverses large to very small, making it the true opposite.

The correct answer is option (4), Minimal.