Question

Choose the word which is closest to the opposite in meaning to the italicized word.
He has been acquitted of the charge of theft.

• A. punished
• B. convicted
• C. released
• D. exonerated

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

convicted

Acquitted means free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty. The opposite of acquitted is convicted, or having been declared guilty of a criminal offence by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge. Hence, Option B is correct. Among the rest of the options, punished means inflict a penalty or sanction on someone for (such an offence), released means allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free, exonerated means (of an official body) absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing. These do not express this antonym, hence incorrect.