In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word opposite in meaning to the word given. Dissident.

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on political and social vocabulary. The term dissident refers to a person who disagrees strongly with official policy or the established system, especially in political contexts. You must identify the antonym, that is, a word describing someone who accepts or supports established beliefs or authority.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: Dissident.
• Options: Alienated, Iconoclast, Divisive, Orthodox.
• We must choose the option that carries the opposite sense of the word dissident.

Concept / Approach:
Dissident refers to a person who actively opposes or criticises official policies, often a rebel or protester. The natural opposite is someone who follows traditional beliefs, respects established practices, and avoids challenging authority. The adjective orthodox describes people who stick to accepted doctrines and do not rebel against them. In contrast, alienated, iconoclast, and divisive all describe distancing or challenging behaviour, either identical or close in spirit to dissidence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define dissident as a person who disagrees with and actively challenges established authority or policy.Step 2: Consider orthodox, which means following traditional beliefs or established doctrine, especially in religion or politics.Step 3: Recognise that an orthodox person accepts and maintains the system that dissidents oppose.Step 4: Review alienated, which means feeling isolated or estranged, not necessarily obedient to authority.Step 5: Iconoclast refers to someone who attacks established beliefs or institutions, very similar to a dissident.Step 6: Divisive describes something or someone that causes disagreement and division, again closer to dissident than to its opposite.Step 7: Conclude that orthodox is the correct antonym.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine a government. A dissident critic openly condemns its policies and demands change. An orthodox supporter respects the traditional system and follows its rules. These two figures stand on opposite sides of the spectrum. This mental picture confirms that orthodox is the antonym of dissident in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Alienated: This means feeling cut off or isolated, perhaps from society or family. An alienated person may disagree with the system, but the word does not mean supporter of tradition, so it cannot be an antonym.
Iconoclast: An iconoclast deliberately breaks or attacks established beliefs, customs, or icons. That is very close in spirit to a dissident, not the opposite.
Divisive: This describes something that creates conflict and division. Dissident actions may be divisive, so the two ideas are related, not opposite.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may confuse synonym and antonym tasks, especially when several options share an atmosphere of conflict or disagreement. Iconoclast in particular is a trap because it describes a rebel against accepted beliefs. Always read the question stem carefully to see whether it asks for similar or opposite meaning. When dealing with political vocabulary, try to visualise who supports the system and who attacks it. That mental contrast will help you pick the right antonym more confidently.

Final Answer:
The word opposite in meaning to dissident is Orthodox.