Question:hard

Choose the word which is the closest antonym of the given word:
EXCORIATE

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Excoriate means to criticize harshly and publicly; look for an option that means to praise publicly with equal intensity.
Updated On: Jul 20, 2026
  • Prevaricate
  • Berate
  • Regurgitate
  • Cheer
  • Acclaim
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The Correct Option is

Solution and Explanation

A quick way to solve antonym questions like this is to first pin down the tone of the given word, then look for an option that flips that tone while keeping the same intensity.

EXCORIATE is a strong word for harsh, public criticism, think of a scathing review or a blistering rebuke. So we need an option that means the opposite: strong, public approval.

  1. Prevaricate: to dodge the truth or lie. Wrong category altogether, no link to praise or blame.
  2. Berate: to tell someone off harshly. This is actually a near synonym of excoriate, so it cannot be the antonym.
  3. Regurgitate: to bring back up, or to repeat mechanically. Again, unrelated to approval or disapproval.
  4. Cheer: positive, but it usually describes momentary encouragement or applause rather than a formal statement of high praise.
  5. Acclaim: to praise loudly and publicly, to hail with approval. This matches the strength and public nature of excoriate, just in the opposite direction.

Testing it in a sentence confirms the choice: "The critics excoriated the sequel but acclaimed the original" reads naturally, with acclaim sitting as the clear opposite of excoriate. So the answer is option (e), Acclaim.

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