In the following question, choose the option that is opposite in meaning to the given word: Burgeon.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks for an antonym of the verb burgeon. Burgeon is commonly used in formal English to describe rapid growth or expansion, whether in business, population, technology or ideas. Identifying its opposite helps to strengthen understanding of words that describe trends and changes, which are often seen in newspaper editorials and analytical passages.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target word: Burgeon.
- Options: Bolster, Shrivel, Mount, Amplify.
- We must choose the word that expresses the opposite meaning.
- The general context is growth versus decline or expansion versus reduction.

Concept / Approach:
Burgeon means to grow or expand rapidly, often with a sense of flourishing or sudden increase. For example, a burgeoning city or a burgeoning industry is one that is growing quickly. The opposite idea would be shrinking, withering or declining. Among the options, Shrivel means to become smaller, drier or weaker, very much the reverse of growth. Bolster means to support or strengthen, Mount means to rise or increase, and Amplify means to make larger or more intense. All three of these lean toward growth, not decline, and therefore cannot be antonyms of burgeon.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that burgeon means to grow or expand quickly and flourish.Step 2: Examine Bolster. It means to support or strengthen, which can lead to growth, so it is similar, not opposite.Step 3: Look at Shrivel. It means to shrink, dry up or become weaker, which is the opposite of growing and flourishing.Step 4: Consider Mount. It means to increase or rise, again closer to the idea of growth.Step 5: Check Amplify. This word means to make something larger, stronger or more intense, which is also a kind of growth.Step 6: Based on this analysis, Shrivel is the correct antonym of Burgeon.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can compare sample sentences. The company's profits began to burgeon after the new policy suggests strong growth, while The company's profits began to shrivel after the new policy implies a marked decline. These two sentences contrast very clearly. Replacing burgeon with Bolster, Mount or Amplify in such contexts would not create an opposite meaning but either maintain or strengthen the idea of increase.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Bolster means to support or reinforce, which usually helps growth rather than oppose it.
- Mount refers to rising or increasing, often used in phrases like mounting pressure, so it is similar to burgeon in direction.
- Amplify means to make larger or more powerful, again linked with increase, not decrease.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to confuse synonyms and antonyms when several options appear to share a sense of intensity or size. Candidates may also pick a word simply because it looks unfamiliar. To avoid this, first restate the target word in simpler English, such as burgeon equals grow rapidly, and then search for the option that clearly indicates the opposite trend, such as shrink or wither. This strategy helps distinguish between words that support the same direction and those that truly reverse it.

Final Answer:
The word that is opposite in meaning to Burgeon is Shrivel.