In each of the following questions, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word given in capitals. Here, the word is DEROGATORY, which is used for comments or remarks that show a low opinion of someone.

Introduction / Context:
Antonym questions check your grasp of word meanings by asking you to pick a term that is opposite in sense to the given word. The target word here is DEROGATORY, which is often used to describe comments, remarks, or statements that are insulting, disapproving, or showing a low opinion of someone or something. Your aim is to identify the option that conveys a clearly opposite idea, such as respect or approval.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target word: DEROGATORY. - Options: Conferred, Immediate, Praising, Private. - One option must be opposite in meaning to derogatory.

Concept / Approach:
Derogatory remarks are insulting or belittling. They reduce someone's reputation in the eyes of others. Therefore, the opposite of derogatory should be a word that suggests expressing approval, admiration, or positive evaluation. Among the choices, praising is the only word that directly signifies speaking well of someone. Conferred relates to giving something formally, immediate relates to time, and private relates to privacy. None of these three expresses the opposite of insulting speech.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that a derogatory comment is insulting, disrespectful, or demeaning. Step 2: Examine option A, Conferred, which means granted or bestowed, usually an honour or title. This has nothing to do with the tone of a remark. Step 3: Examine option B, Immediate, which relates to something happening at once and does not concern praise or insult. Step 4: Examine option C, Praising, which means expressing approval or admiration, the opposite of putting someone down. Step 5: Examine option D, Private, which refers to something not public and is unrelated to the approval disapproval scale.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, compare sentences. A derogatory remark about his colleague hurt the person badly shows an insulting statement. If you replace derogatory with praising, you obtain a praising remark about his colleague, which has the opposite emotional impact. Trying conferred, immediate, or private in this sentence does not reverse the meaning and often sounds awkward or meaningless. Thus, praising is confirmed as the correct antonym in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Conferred is wrong because it describes giving honours and has no direct relation to the tone of speech. Immediate is wrong since it concerns timing rather than attitude. Private is wrong because it refers to whether something is public or confidential, which is a different dimension from respectful or insulting.

Common Pitfalls:
Examinees sometimes select words that merely appear formal or sophisticated rather than focusing on meaning. Others may misinterpret derogatory as related to legal procedure or delay, which leads them toward irrelevant choices. To avoid such errors, always restate the core meaning in your own simple words, such as insulting or belittling, and then search for the option that reverses that meaning, in this case praising or appreciative.

Final Answer:
The word most nearly opposite in meaning to DEROGATORY is Praising.