Antonyms — Select the option that expresses the word most nearly opposite in meaning to ‘‘REPRESS’’ (advanced English vocabulary; control vs. release, with nuance and usage examples).

Given data

• Target word: REPRESS
• Options: Inhibit; Liberate; Curb; Quell

Concept/Approach‘‘Repress’’ means to hold back, subdue, restrain, or keep under control (feelings, actions, groups).The true antonym is a term that means to free, release, or set loose. ‘‘Liberate’’ directly denotes setting free from restraint or oppression.

Step-by-step reasoningMatch sense: repress (hold down) → opposite must be (set free) = liberate.Check distractors: ‘‘Inhibit’’, ‘‘Curb’’, and ‘‘Quell’’ are near-synonyms of ‘‘repress’’ (all mean restrain/suppress); hence they cannot be opposites.

Verification/AlternativeSentence flip: ‘‘The regime repressed dissent’’ ↔ ‘‘The reforms liberated dissent.’’ The polarity clearly reverses.

Common pitfallsConfusing ‘‘inhibit/curb/quell’’ as opposites—these reinforce the same suppression idea as ‘‘repress’’.

Final AnswerLiberate