Identify the antonym of "Barbarous":
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
Civilized
Explanation
The question asks to identify the antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) for "Barbarous." To solve this quickly for an exam, categorize the options into positive and negative traits to spot the odd-one-out.
The adjective "Barbarous" describes someone or something that is extremely brutal, uncivilized, primitive, or cruel.
Let's evaluate the options to find the true opposite:
"Cruel," "Savage," and "Brutal" are all negative words that describe violent, harsh, or primitive behavior. Because they match the meaning of the target word, they function as synonyms.
"Civilized" is a positive word that describes a person, society, or behavior that is advanced, polite, culturally refined, and respectful of laws and human rights.
Since "Civilized" represents the exact opposite qualities of brutality and savagery, Option 1 is the correct choice.
Key Points
Finding antonyms on competitive exams can often be simplified by recognizing when three out of four choices share the exact same negative theme, effectively eliminating themselves.
The word "barbarous" shares its linguistic roots with "barbarian," making its direct cultural and behavioral opposite "civilized."