Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Enmity
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This antonym question assesses your grasp of abstract nouns related to liking and preference. Predilection is a formal word that often appears in essays and articles. To answer correctly, you must distinguish between words related to liking, duration, hostility and residence, and then select the strongest opposite in sense to a liking or preference.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Target word: Predilection.
Options: Inclination, Enduring, Enmity, Domicile.
We are asked for the word opposite in meaning to predilection.
In context, predilection normally appears in sentences like He has a predilection for classical music, meaning a special liking for it.
Concept / Approach:
Predilection means a strong liking, preference, or special fondness for something. The closest direct opposite would normally be aversion or dislike. Among the given options, Enmity comes closest because it signals active hostility or hatred, which is much more than merely lacking a liking. Inclination is actually a synonym, Enduring refers to something lasting, and Domicile means place of residence. While enmity is not a perfect dictionary antonym of predilection, within the given choices it represents a strong negative attitude that best contrasts with preference.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define predilection as a strong liking or bias in favour of something.
Step 2: Option Inclination also means a tendency or liking towards something; it is clearly a synonym, not an antonym.
Step 3: Option Enduring means lasting or continuing for a long time; it refers to duration, not to liking or disliking.
Step 4: Option Domicile means place of residence or permanent home; it relates to where a person lives, not to preferences or attitudes.
Step 5: Option Enmity means deep seated hostility, hatred or ill will. While it is not simply lack of liking, it does represent a strong negative attitude that is opposite in spirit to fondness or preference.
Step 6: Therefore, Enmity is the best available antonym among the given choices.
Verification / Alternative check:
Compare example sentences: He has a predilection for spicy food versus He harbours enmity towards his rival. The first shows a positive leaning or liking; the second shows a strongly negative attitude. If the exam had offered aversion, it would have been an even closer antonym, but in this set, only enmity expresses this strong negative orientation. The other words simply do not occupy the same semantic field of preference or attitude.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Inclination is nearly synonymous with predilection and so cannot be its antonym; choosing it would be the opposite of what the question asks.
Enduring speaks about duration of time and can describe anything long lasting; it has no inherent meaning of like or dislike.
Domicile concerns place of living or legal residence and is unrelated to personal preferences or tastes.
Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error is to choose any word that simply seems different from the original, without confirming that it is truly opposite. Another mistake is to be thrown off because the ideal textbook antonym is not present. In such cases, you must pick the option that is most opposite in spirit among the choices provided. Here, enmity, meaning hostility, stands as a strong negative stance against something and so best contrasts with predilection, meaning a strong liking.
Final Answer:
The best antonym of Predilection among the given options is Enmity.
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