In the following question, choose the word which is opposite in meaning (antonym) to the given word "REASSURE". To reassure someone means to remove their doubts or fears and make them feel confident or safe again.

Introduction:
This question asks for the antonym of the word "reassure". Antonyms are words with opposite meanings, and they are frequently tested in competitive exams to check both vocabulary range and depth. Understanding what it means to reassure someone makes it easier to recognise the opposite action, which is to weaken somebody's confidence or increase their fear or doubt.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target word: "reassure".
- Options: COMFORT, CONSOLE, INSPIRE, DISCOURAGE.
- Exactly one option must express an opposite meaning, not a similar one.
- We assume the standard meanings used in general English and exam contexts.

Concept / Approach:
"Reassure" means to say or do something that removes someone's doubts or fears and makes them feel calm and confident again. The opposite action would increase doubt or reduce confidence. Therefore, the correct antonym will involve causing someone to feel less hopeful, less confident, or less willing to act. Words like "comfort", "console", and "inspire" all have positive or supportive meanings, so they are unlikely to be the true opposite.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define "reassure" as making someone feel more confident, safe, or sure that things will be fine.Step 2: Look at COMFORT. To comfort is to make someone feel better when they are upset, which is close in feeling to reassuring them.Step 3: Look at CONSOLE. To console is also to give emotional support and ease someone's grief or disappointment, again similar to reassuring.Step 4: Look at INSPIRE. To inspire is to fill someone with positive feelings, ideas, or enthusiasm, which supports confidence.Step 5: Look at DISCOURAGE. To discourage is to cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm, which is directly opposite to reassuring.

Verification / Alternative check:
Place the words into a sentence. If you say, "The teacher reassured the students before the exam," the opposite would be, "The teacher discouraged the students before the exam," which means the teacher made them feel less confident. Sentences using "comforted", "consoled", or "inspired" would not give an opposite sense; they would still sound supportive. This comparison confirms that "discourage" is the antonym we are looking for.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, COMFORT, is incorrect because comforting someone helps them feel better, which is similar to reassuring. Option B, CONSOLE, again provides emotional support and reduces sadness, so it reinforces confidence instead of weakening it. Option C, INSPIRE, fills someone with enthusiasm, hope, or creativity, which is certainly not the opposite of reassurance. Only option D, DISCOURAGE, carries the clear opposite idea of making someone less confident or hopeful.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse "reassure" with "console" or "comfort" and may think that the exam is testing near synonyms rather than an antonym. Because three of the options are positive and supportive, candidates may overthink and choose the one that simply sounds slightly different. To avoid this, always start by writing down the basic meaning of the question word and then actively search for the word that reverses that meaning. That method makes the contrast between "reassure" and "discourage" very clear.

Final Answer:
The word that is opposite in meaning to "reassure" is DISCOURAGE.