Antonym – Choose the option that best expresses the opposite meaning of the highlighted word in the sentence below. Sentence: The minister gave a public speech on the controversial subject to “precipitate” the matter. Target word: precipitate (meaning: hasten, bring about rapidly)

Introduction / Context:
We must pick the antonym of precipitate in the policy context. Precipitate means to cause something to happen sooner or to accelerate a development. In administrative or procedural settings, its opposite would be language that slows, postpones, or delays action.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: precipitate = hasten, expedite.
• Context: moving a matter forward quickly.
• We need a verb that reverses speed/timing.

Concept / Approach:
Antonym selection should preserve the same dimension (timing/progress). Defer means postpone to a later time, the natural opposite of hasten. Options like push or aggravate either increase momentum or severity, and create starts something rather than scheduling it later—none of these reverse the time-acceleration sense.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Paraphrase test: “gave a speech to defer the matter” is the clean opposite of “to precipitate the matter,” confirming correct antonymy on the timing axis.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• aggravate: increases severity, not timing; could even co-occur with precipitate.
• create: means bring into existence; not inherently about scheduling.
• push: usually means advance/urge forward, closer to precipitate, not opposite.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing precipitate with provoke (re: anger). Even then, the opposite is still delay/defer in procedural contexts, not create.

Final Answer:
defer