In the following question, select the word which is most nearly opposite in meaning to the verb "to conceive".

Introduction / Context:
This is a word power question asking for the antonym of the verb to conceive. In this context, to conceive usually means to form an idea, to imagine, or to understand something in the mind. You must select the option that expresses the opposite mental attitude or action.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: conceive, in the sense of think of or imagine in the mind.
• Options: to reckon, to neglect, to apprehend, to perceive, to misplace.
• We are looking for a verb that opposes the act of forming or holding an idea.
• Several options are close in meaning to understand or think.

Concept / Approach:
To conceive an idea is to consciously bring it into the mind or to give careful thought to something. The opposite would be to fail to consider, to ignore, or to neglect that idea. Among the options, neglect is the only verb that clearly indicates ignoring or not giving attention, which opposes the deliberate mental act expressed by conceive. Reckon, apprehend, and perceive all relate to understanding or thinking, making them more like synonyms than antonyms.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define conceive as to form or develop a thought, plan, or idea in the mind.Step 2: Identify verbs that relate to thinking and understanding: reckon, apprehend, perceive.Step 3: Observe that these are similar in meaning to conceive and therefore cannot be antonyms.Step 4: Note that neglect means to ignore or fail to care for something, including ideas or duties.Step 5: Choose neglect as the opposite mental attitude to actively forming and considering an idea.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider the sentence She could not conceive how anyone could behave like that. If you reverse the mental attitude, it becomes She neglected to think about how anyone could behave like that, which shows a lack of mental engagement. By contrast, say She apprehended or She perceived would still mean she understood, which is close to conceive rather than opposite. This confirms that neglect best serves as an antonym in this set.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• to reckon: Means to think, believe, or estimate. This is a thinking verb and thus closer to conceive.
• to apprehend: Means to understand or grasp mentally, again similar to conceive.
• to perceive: Means to become aware of something, usually through the senses, and is also related to understanding.
• to misplace: Refers to putting an object in the wrong place, not to mental processing of ideas.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may confuse themselves by overthinking subtle differences among think related verbs. When finding an antonym, first clearly state the meaning of the target word in easy terms and then look for an option that conflicts with that basic meaning. Here, conceive equals actively think of, while neglect equals fail to think about, which makes the contrast clear.

Final Answer:
The antonym of to conceive is to neglect.