Question

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word. “TANTAMOUNT”

• A. Incommensurate
• B. Commensurate
• C. Redundant
• D. Obsolete

Hint:

Think of the "Equal" sign ($=$) for Tantamount and Commensurate. To find the antonym, look for the negative prefix "In-" in Incommensurate, which acts like a "Not Equal" sign ($\neq$)!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
``TANTAMOUNT'' is an adjective used to compare two things, suggesting they are equivalent in value, effect, or significance.
Example: ``Resigning now would be {tantamount} to admitting you were wrong.''
The goal is to find a word that describes things that are unequal, disproportionate, or not matching.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Comparing the options:
1. TANTAMOUNT (Target): Equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as.
2. Incommensurate (Option A): Out of keeping or proportion with; unequal in size or degree. If things are incommensurate, they do not match or equal each other. This is the direct antonym.
3. Commensurate (Option B): Corresponding in size or degree; in proportion. This is a synonym for tantamount.
4. Redundant (Option C): Not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous. This describes excess, not equality.
5. Obsolete (Option D): No longer produced or used; out of date. This describes relevance over time.
If a punishment is {tantamount} to the crime, it is equal to it. If it is {incommensurate}, it is either way too harsh or way too light. Therefore, (A) is the correct choice.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The word most nearly opposite to TANTAMOUNT is Incommensurate (Option A).