Question

HALE:

• A. unenthusiastic
• B. staid
• C. odious
• D. infirm
• E. uncharacteristic

Hint:

"Hale" is a somewhat old-fashioned word. If you encounter an unfamiliar word on an antonym test, use the process of elimination. If you know the definitions of the other four options and can see they are unrelated, you can often deduce the correct answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the antonym of the adjective HALE.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The word HALE means strong and healthy. It is often used in the phrase "hale and hearty" to describe someone, especially an elderly person, who is in excellent health.
We are looking for a word that means the opposite: weak, unhealthy, or frail. Let's evaluate the options:

(A) unenthusiastic: Lacking excitement. Unrelated to physical health.
(B) staid: Sedate and unadventurous. Unrelated to physical health.
(C) odious: Extremely unpleasant; repulsive. Unrelated.
(D) infirm: Not physically or mentally strong, especially through age or illness; frail. This is the direct opposite of hale.
(E) uncharacteristic: Not typical. Unrelated.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The opposite of HALE (strong and healthy) is INFIRM (weak and frail).