In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is opposite in meaning (antonym) to the given word: Trepidation.

Introduction / Context:
This antonym question focuses on emotional vocabulary related to fear and anxiety. Trepidation is often used in formal and literary English to describe a feeling of deep anxiety or nervous fear about something that may happen. To find the opposite, you must choose a word that represents the absence of such anxiety, a state of peace and composure, rather than another strong negative emotion or fear itself.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: Trepidation.
• Options: Bold, Calm, Fear, Violent.
• Trepidation refers to nervous fear, apprehension or uneasiness.
• The antonym should express either fearlessness or a relaxed, peaceful state.

Concept / Approach:
Trepidation describes a state of mental disturbance, where a person feels worried or frightened. The opposite emotional state is calm, which means peaceful, free from agitation or excitement. While bold describes a personality trait of courage, calm directly names the emotional state that contrasts with anxiety, and so it is the more accurate antonym. Fear is a direct synonym of trepidation, and violent describes aggressive behaviour rather than emotional peace or fear.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Clarify the meaning of trepidation as a noun: a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen. Step 2: Examine Calm. Calm refers to a state of peace, without strong emotion, anxiety or agitation. This directly opposes the inner disturbance implied by trepidation. Step 3: Examine Bold. Bold is an adjective describing a person who is brave or confident. While bravery can be the opposite of being fearful, it is about character rather than the immediate emotional state. Step 4: Examine Fear. Fear is nearly the same in meaning as trepidation, so it is a synonym, not an antonym. Step 5: Examine Violent. Violent describes forceful, physically aggressive behaviour or strong destructive natural forces, and is not directly related to the presence or absence of fear. Step 6: Because Calm exactly names the opposite emotional condition to trepidation, it is the best antonym among the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Use the words in parallel sentences: She waited with trepidation for the exam results versus She waited with calm for the exam results. The contrast is clear between nervous fear and peaceful composure. If you say She waited with fear, you have almost the same meaning as trepidation, not its opposite. Bold does not fit easily with waited with bold, so it does not function naturally as a direct opposite in this structure. This comparison confirms that calm is the correct antonym here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bold relates to courage in action or decision, but a bold person can still feel inner trepidation; it is not the direct, everyday opposite to the feeling itself.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may focus only on courage versus fear and quickly choose bold, but antonym questions often ask for opposite emotional states rather than opposite personality labels. Calm describes the mind that is free from anxiety, which is exactly what trepidation takes away. Matching the type of word and its context of use usually leads you to the better answer. Therefore, calm is preferred over bold in this specific question.

Final Answer:
The correct antonym of Trepidation is Calm.