In the following question, out of the given four alternatives, select the one word which is opposite in meaning to the word Relationship.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Opposition

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The word Relationship is a very common English vocabulary item that appears frequently in competitive examinations. Questions that ask for the opposite in meaning, or antonym, test a learner's grasp of nuance in word meanings. In this question, the task is to choose the word that most clearly expresses an idea that is opposed to the meaning of Relationship, which usually refers to a connection, association, or bond between people, groups, ideas, or things.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The given word is Relationship.
  • Four alternatives are provided: Affinity, Member, Leaning, and Opposition.
  • The correct option must be opposite in meaning, not merely different.
  • We assume standard dictionary meanings used in general English and competitive exams.


Concept / Approach:
To solve antonym questions, we first recall the core sense of the target word and then compare it to the meanings of the options. Relationship suggests a state in which two or more people or things are connected. An antonym will express a state where such a connection is absent, denied, or contradicted. We also have to ignore options that are simply related in topic but do not express an opposite idea. Therefore, we look for the choice that indicates separation, conflict, or lack of connection when compared to Relationship.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Relationship means a connection, association, or bond between people, things, or ideas. Step 2: Consider Affinity, which means a natural liking or attraction, and is actually a positive form of closeness or connection. Step 3: Consider Member, which simply refers to an individual belonging to a group and does not reverse the idea of Relationship. Step 4: Consider Leaning, which means a tendency or preference towards something and is again related to inclination, not the opposite of a bond. Step 5: Consider Opposition, which conveys resistance, hostility, or being against someone or something, and therefore reflects a conflicting or antagonistic position rather than a harmonious connection. Step 6: Conclude that Opposition best represents the opposite of a positive or neutral Relationship.


Verification / Alternative check:
If Relationship expresses being connected or aligned with someone or something, then its opposite should capture the idea of being in conflict or being set against that person or thing. Opposition clearly means resistance or disagreement. Affinity and Leaning both suggest closeness or attraction, which are actually related to Relationship in a positive sense rather than being opposites. Member is neutral and does not reverse the meaning. Therefore, Opposition remains the only truly opposite concept here.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Affinity is wrong because it means a natural liking or sympathy, which reinforces the idea of closeness rather than opposing it. Member is wrong because it denotes a person belonging to a group, which is connected to the idea of a Relationship, but not its opposite. Leaning is wrong because it expresses a tendency or inclination toward something and again suggests some form of connection or preference, not opposition.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake in such questions is to choose a word that is simply not a synonym, instead of focusing on a true opposite. Another pitfall is to be distracted by words that often appear in similar contexts and assume that contextual association equals antonymy. Test takers may also rush past the subtle difference between absence of a relationship and presence of active resistance, but here the exam setter clearly intends a strong opposite sense, which is captured by Opposition.


Final Answer:
The word that is most opposite in meaning to Relationship is Opposition.

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