Question:
Select the antonym of the given word: Ostentatious
Select the antonym of the given word: Ostentatious
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Etymology link:
Ostentatious = showy flaunting wealth or status.
Unobtrusive = quiet, discreet, and not drawing attention (the exact opposite).
Ostentatious = showy flaunting wealth or status.
Unobtrusive = quiet, discreet, and not drawing attention (the exact opposite).
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- grand
- magnificent
- unobtrusive
- lofty
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Antonym determination involves identifying the lexical item that embodies the diametrical opposite of a word's primary denotation and behavioral connotation. The adjective “ostentatious” originates from the Latin noun ostentatio (a vain display, showing off), derived from ostendere (to show or exhibit). It describes actions, possessions, manners, or architectural styles designed deliberately to attract excessive attention, impress others, and flaunt wealth or importance in a vulgar or pretentious manner. An antonym must therefore describe a quality of modesty, restraint, subtlety, or an absence of desire to draw public notice.
Step 1: Detailed Lexical Breakdown of “Ostentatious”:
- Definition: Characterized by vulgar, pretentious, or showy display designed to impress, boast, or attract attention; flamboyant, grandiose, or flashy.
- Typical Synonyms: Pretentious, showy, flamboyant, gaudy, conspicuous, boastful, grandiose.
- Typical Antonyms: Unobtrusive, modest, restrained, understated, humble, inconspicuous, quiet.
Step 2: Evaluation of Options:
- (A) Grand: Magnificent, imposing, or impressive in size and appearance; shares semantic overlap with ostentatious displays (synonymous attribute).
- (B) Magnificent: Strikingly splendid, grand, or impressive; another near-synonym in aesthetic contexts.
- (C) Unobtrusive: Not conspicuous, not brazenly noticeable, modest, and not attracting undue attention to oneself or one's possessions. This represents the direct semantic opposite of “ostentatious”.
- (D) Lofty: Imposing, elevated in height, or haughty; does not represent an antonym.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The true antonym of “Ostentatious” is “unobtrusive”, corresponding to Option (C).
Antonym determination involves identifying the lexical item that embodies the diametrical opposite of a word's primary denotation and behavioral connotation. The adjective “ostentatious” originates from the Latin noun ostentatio (a vain display, showing off), derived from ostendere (to show or exhibit). It describes actions, possessions, manners, or architectural styles designed deliberately to attract excessive attention, impress others, and flaunt wealth or importance in a vulgar or pretentious manner. An antonym must therefore describe a quality of modesty, restraint, subtlety, or an absence of desire to draw public notice.
Step 1: Detailed Lexical Breakdown of “Ostentatious”:
- Definition: Characterized by vulgar, pretentious, or showy display designed to impress, boast, or attract attention; flamboyant, grandiose, or flashy.
- Typical Synonyms: Pretentious, showy, flamboyant, gaudy, conspicuous, boastful, grandiose.
- Typical Antonyms: Unobtrusive, modest, restrained, understated, humble, inconspicuous, quiet.
Step 2: Evaluation of Options:
- (A) Grand: Magnificent, imposing, or impressive in size and appearance; shares semantic overlap with ostentatious displays (synonymous attribute).
- (B) Magnificent: Strikingly splendid, grand, or impressive; another near-synonym in aesthetic contexts.
- (C) Unobtrusive: Not conspicuous, not brazenly noticeable, modest, and not attracting undue attention to oneself or one's possessions. This represents the direct semantic opposite of “ostentatious”.
- (D) Lofty: Imposing, elevated in height, or haughty; does not represent an antonym.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The true antonym of “Ostentatious” is “unobtrusive”, corresponding to Option (C).
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