Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Surrender
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This antonym question tests your understanding of the verb dominate. Dominate means to control, to have power over, or to rule something or someone. To answer correctly, you must select the option that expresses the opposite idea of giving up control, not maintaining or increasing it.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Surrender means to give up control, power, or possession to someone else, often in a conflict or competition. This is the direct opposite of dominate, which implies maintaining or exerting control. Prevail means to win or be successful. Dictate means control or lay down rules. Command also has the sense of directing or controlling. Therefore, Surrender is the only option that reverses the meaning of dominate.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Clearly define dominate as exercise control or rule over.
Step 2: Examine each option and decide whether it expresses taking control or giving it up.
Step 3: Notice that surrender means to yield or give up power or control.
Step 4: Select Surrender as the correct antonym.
Verification / Alternative check:
Use both words in similar sentences and compare. For example, The team dominated the match means they controlled the game. The team surrendered in the match means they gave up or were defeated. These two sentences represent opposite situations. If we try the other options, The team prevailed means they won, which is similar to dominating, not opposite. The team dictated the match and The team commanded the match also suggest control rather than submission.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, Prevail, means to win or gain victory, which is close to dominate in many contexts. Option C, Dictate, means to lay down rules or control actions, again similar to dominate. Option D, Command, also implies having authority and control. None of these words reverse the meaning of dominate, so they cannot be its antonym.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes misread antonym questions as synonym questions, particularly when all the options appear strong or authoritative. Another pitfall is not pausing to think of a precise definition of the target word before looking at the options. By first clarifying that dominate is about holding power, it becomes much easier to see that surrender is about giving that power up.
Final Answer:
The word that is opposite in meaning to dominate is Surrender.
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