In the following question, select the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word: Scrimp.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of antonyms, which are words with opposite meanings. Understanding the word “scrimp” and then identifying a word that expresses the opposite idea is essential for success in verbal ability sections. Such questions also help you to better interpret texts that deal with money management, saving, and spending habits by recognizing the nuances of these verbs.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Given word: “Scrimp”. - Options: Skimp, Conserve, Squander, Curtail. - Task: Choose the word that has the opposite meaning. - We assume common financial and everyday usage of these words.

Concept / Approach:
“Scrimp” means to be very economical or stingy, often saving or spending very little, sometimes to an uncomfortable degree. For example, “They scrimped and saved to pay for their education.” An antonym must therefore suggest spending freely or wasting resources instead of saving them. Among the options, one needs to represent generous or careless expenditure of money or resources, which directly opposes the idea of strict economy and saving.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall the meaning of “scrimp”: to economize severely, to use very little, or to be stingy with money or resources. 2. Evaluate each option: - Skimp: to use less of something than is needed, very similar to scrimp. - Conserve: to save, protect, or use carefully. - Squander: to waste something, especially money or time, in a careless way. - Curtail: to reduce or cut down. 3. Notice that scrimp, skimp, conserve, and curtail all involve limiting or saving, while “Squander” means the opposite: to waste and overspend. 4. Therefore, “Squander” is the true antonym of “Scrimp”.

Verification / Alternative check:
Create contrasting sentences to verify. “He scrimps on food to save money” implies he spends very little. The opposite situation would be “He squanders money on expensive, unnecessary food,” where he spends lavishly and wastes resources. Both sentences clearly represent opposite attitudes toward money, confirming that “Squander” is the correct antonym.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Skimp: Very close in meaning to “scrimp”; both suggest using too little or economizing excessively, not opposites. - Conserve: Means to save or protect resources, which is again similar to scrimping, not opposite. - Curtail: Means to reduce or cut short. It still involves limitation and is therefore closer to scrimping than to wasting.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to choose a near synonym instead of a true opposite because some options “sound right” or look familiar. Words like scrimp and skimp are particularly tricky because they are similar in both form and meaning. Another pitfall is not fully understanding the nuance of “squander” as careless and excessive waste. To avoid confusion, always ask whether the option reverses the meaning of the original word rather than slightly modifying it.

Final Answer:
The word opposite in meaning to “Scrimp” is Squander.