In this English vocabulary question, you must select the word that is most similar in meaning to “Commemorate,” which refers to marking or honouring an event, person, or occasion in a special way.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of English vocabulary, specifically synonyms. The word in focus is “commemorate,” which appears often in contexts involving ceremonies, important dates, and historical events. The task is to choose the option that has a meaning closest to “commemorate” from the four alternatives given. Such synonym questions are widely used in competitive examinations to assess depth of vocabulary and the ability to differentiate between positive and negative connotations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is “Commemorate.”
• Options are: Opprobrium, Reproach, Disrepute, Celebrate.
• The usual context for “commemorate” involves honouring or remembering someone or something, such as a national day or a person's sacrifice.
• We assume standard English meanings and connotations.

Concept / Approach:
“Commemorate” means to mark an event, person, or occasion with a ceremony or observance, especially as a sign of respect or remembrance. The closest simple synonym among the options is “celebrate,” which also means to mark an event with special activities, often positive and respectful. The other three words have negative meanings: they relate to shame, blame, or a bad reputation. Therefore, they are antonymic in tone rather than synonymous.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of “commemorate” as to honour the memory of something or someone, often through special events or ceremonies.Step 2: Examine “Celebrate,” which means to acknowledge or mark an event with joy, ceremony, or public observance. This is closely aligned with commemorating important occasions.Step 3: Consider “Opprobrium,” which refers to harsh criticism or public disgrace, clearly negative.Step 4: Evaluate “Reproach,” meaning blame or criticism, again negative in tone.Step 5: Look at “Disrepute,” which denotes a state of being held in low esteem or having a bad reputation.Step 6: Conclude that only “Celebrate” is similar in meaning to “commemorate.”

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, insert each option into a sample sentence. For example, “We commemorate Independence Day every year” can naturally be restated as “We celebrate Independence Day every year.” In contrast, saying “We reproach Independence Day” or “We bring Independence Day into disrepute” totally changes the meaning and introduces a negative tone. The parallel between commemorating and celebrating important events confirms that “Celebrate” is the correct synonym in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Opprobrium” is wrong because it means severe criticism or public disgrace and is used when condemning someone's actions. “Reproach” is similarly negative, meaning blame or disapproval. “Disrepute” refers to a state of bad reputation or low regard. All three carry negative emotional weight, whereas “commemorate” is a positive or respectful act of remembrance. Therefore, none of these words can be considered synonymous with “commemorate.”

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes focus on the phonetic or stylistic similarity of words rather than their meanings and may mistakenly select a complex word like “opprobrium” just because it sounds formal. Another pitfall is not recognising that the target word has a positive connotation and choosing a negative word by accident. To avoid such mistakes, always consider whether a word carries a positive, negative, or neutral tone and check if that tone matches the context in which the original word is usually used.

Final Answer:
The word most similar in meaning to “Commemorate” is Celebrate.