Question

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word.
Their oppressive act is what resulted in the fight.

• A. temperate
• B. onerous
• C. desperate
• D. destitute

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

onerous

Oppressive means burdensome, unjustly harsh or distressing.

Onerous means troublesome or something involving a great deal of inconvenience. Option B is the word closest in meaning to oppressive and hence the correct answer.

Desperate means having a great desire for something and destitute means poor or impoverished. Neither of these words have any resemblance to the underlined word; therefore options C and D are incorrect.

Option A is incorrect as temperate means moderate and disciplined and thus is an antonym or opposite in meaning to oppressive.