Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the antonym of the verb STYMIE.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
To STYMIE means to prevent or hinder the progress of something. It means to obstruct, thwart, or block.
We are looking for a word that means the opposite: to help, support, or encourage the progress of something.
Let's evaluate the options:
(A) ponder: To think about something carefully. Unrelated.
(B) predict: To forecast. Unrelated.
(C) divulge: To make known (private information). Unrelated.
(D) abet: To encourage or assist someone to do something (often something wrong, but more generally, to help or support). Aiding and abetting is a legal term. In this context, to abet is to help or further a process, which is the opposite of hindering or stymieing it.
(E) explain: To make something clear. Unrelated.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The opposite of to STYMIE (to hinder or obstruct) is to ABET (to help or encourage).