Question

Against the given word, there are some alternatives, one of which is either similar in meaning (synonym) or opposite in meaning (antonym) to the word. Find out which of the given alternatives is either a synonym or an antonym of the word.
MALAISE
a) Stagnation
b) Spite
c) Sickness
d) Curse

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms are words or phrases that mean exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase. For example- ‘sad’ and ‘depressed’. Two words that can be interchanged in a context are said to be synonymous relative to that context.
Antonyms are those words that express a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other.

Complete answer:
In the given question, the word ‘malaise’ refers to physical discomfort (as mild sickness or depression).
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'stagnation', refers to a state of inactivity (in business or art, etc.).
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous or antonymous to that of the given word ‘malaise’.

Option (b.), ‘spite', refers to feeling a need to see others suffer.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous or antonymous to that of the given word ‘malaise’.

Option (c.), ‘sickness', refers to the impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism.
Therefore, option (c.) is correct as its meaning is synonymous to that of the given word ‘malaise’.

Option (d.), ‘curse', refers to a profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger.
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous or antonymous to that of the given word ‘malaise’.

Note:
If you don’t know the definition of the given word and have only used it in some given context previously, then use the given word in a sentence. Substitute the given word with each word in the options and choose the word which does not conflict with the context provided by the given word, to find the word’s synonym.
Sometimes the given options in a question where we have to find the opposite of the given
word do not exactly mean the opposite of the given word. If this happens, we have to select the option which is the most anonymous to the meaning of the word in the question.