Question:

Select the most appropriate antonym to the underlined word in the sentence given below:
The judge appreciated the young speaker for his IMMACULATE style of speaking.

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Look at the root: macula = blemish/spot.
Immaculate = without blemish (flawless).
Antonym = with blemishes errors (flawed).
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
  • Tidy
  • Perilous
  • Flawed
  • Flawless
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
Antonymy involves identifying the lexical item that stands in diametrical semantic opposition to a given word. The adjective “immaculate” stems from the Latin prefix in- (not) and macula (spot, blemish, or stain). Consequently, “immaculate” literally and figuratively means without spot, blemish, error, or fault; entirely pristine and perfect. Finding the antonym requires selecting a term that explicitly denotes the presence of defects, imperfections, blemishes, or errors.

Step 1: Detailed Lexical Analysis of the Target Word:

- Immaculate: Spotless, pristine, faultless, impeccably clean, and free from any defect or error. When used to describe oratorical style, it implies a polished delivery completely devoid of mistakes.

Step 2: Evaluation of Options:

- (A) Tidy: Neatly arranged and in good order; a partial synonym related to neatness.
- (B) Perilous: Full of danger, hazard, or risk; unrelated to perfection or cleanliness.
- (C) Flawed: Characterized by flaws, defects, blemishes, or imperfections. This is the exact semantic opposite of “immaculate”.
- (D) Flawless: Having no flaws or defects; a direct synonym of “immaculate” that must be rejected since the question asks for an antonym.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The true antonym of “immaculate” is “Flawed”, which matches Option (C).
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