Antonym of OPTIMIST — Synonyms & Antonyms Aptitude Question
Antonym of OPTIMIST: Choose the word most opposite in meaning to OPTIMIST: Answer and worked solution on CodeKairo.
- Topic: Synonyms & Antonyms
- Section: Verbal Ability
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time target: 35 seconds
Question
Choose the word most opposite in meaning to OPTIMIST:
Options
- Realist
- Pessimist
- Idealist
- Cynic
Show the answer and the worked solution
Correct answer: B. Pessimist
Worked solution
- An optimist expects the best.
- A pessimist expects the worst — the direct opposite.
- A cynic distrusts motives, which is related but not the antonym.
Answer: Pessimist.
The idea
Pick the exact opposite rather than something merely negative. Cynic is offered precisely because it feels close.
Shortcut. Optimist and pessimist are a Latin pair, from optimus 'best' and pessimus 'worst', so the matching form is the antonym.
Common trap. "Realist" — often set against the optimist in speech ('I'm just a realist'), but a realist sits in the middle, not at the opposite pole.