In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word.\n\nDiffident.

Introduction / Context:
This antonym question focuses on a personality adjective that often appears in exam vocabulary lists. Diffident describes a person who is shy, lacking in self confidence, or hesitant to assert themselves. To find the opposite, you must choose a word that conveys boldness, assertiveness, or forceful behaviour. Understanding personality words and their opposites is essential for building nuanced vocabulary.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: diffident.
• Options: Bashful, Demure, Aggressive, Meek.
• We interpret diffident as shy, timid, or lacking confidence.

Concept / Approach:
Aggressive typically means forceful, bold, and sometimes hostile or pushy. Such a person is the opposite of diffident, because rather than hanging back, they push forward and impose themselves. Bashful, demure, and meek all describe shy, modest, or submissive behaviour, which is similar to diffident, not opposite. Therefore, the only word that reverses the meaning of diffident in this set is aggressive.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define diffident as shy and lacking in self confidence, especially in social situations. Step 2: Look at each option and classify it as similar or opposite. Step 3: Bashful means shy or easily embarrassed, which is similar to diffident. Step 4: Demure means quiet, modest, and reserved, particularly about behaviour or dress; again similar. Step 5: Meek means gentle, submissive, or easily dominated, which also leans towards a lack of assertiveness. Step 6: Aggressive means assertive, forceful, even confrontational, which is the direct behavioural opposite of diffident.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine two people in a meeting. A diffident person would hesitate to speak, may avoid eye contact, and is unlikely to challenge others. An aggressive person would speak loudly, push their views forward, and challenge others strongly. These two profiles clearly stand at opposite ends of the spectrum. Bashful, demure, and meek all resemble the first description more than the second, so they cannot be antonyms of diffident.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Bashful, describes someone shy and easily embarrassed, which matches the sense of diffident. Option B, Demure, describes modest and reserved behaviour, also close to diffident in tone. Option D, Meek, indicates gentle and yielding behaviour and can overlap with diffident in suggesting a lack of assertiveness. Since all three share similar connotations with diffident, they are incorrect as antonyms.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to misinterpret diffident as difficult or defiant because of superficial similarity in spelling. Another mistake is to pick a word like meek thinking it represents the most extreme form of shyness and therefore must be the opposite, but the question is asking for the opposite of diffident, not a stronger synonym. Remember to always check whether the option you choose reverses the meaning or only strengthens it.

Final Answer:
The word that is opposite in meaning to diffident is Aggressive.