In this English vocabulary question on synonyms, select the word that is closest in meaning to "reassert", which means to state or affirm something again firmly and confidently.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: acknowledge

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Synonym questions measure how precisely you understand the meanings of verbs and how they are used in real sentences. The verb "reassert" is formed from "assert" with the prefix "re", and appears in news reports, legal discussions, and formal writing. Knowing its sense helps interpret statements about policies, rights, and opinions that are being confirmed again.


Given Data / Assumptions:
• The target verb is "reassert". • The options are "renounce", "acknowledge", "disbelief", and "conceal". • Only one option should express a meaning close to stating something again firmly.


Concept / Approach:
"Assert" means to state, claim, or declare something strongly and confidently. Adding "re" gives "reassert", which means to assert again, to reaffirm, or to reconfirm something that has already been said or established. Among the options, "acknowledge" is the closest in sense because it involves admitting, accepting, or recognising something as true, which can overlap with reaffirming. The other options either express the opposite meaning or are unrelated in part of speech.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Paraphrase "reassert" as "to state again firmly" or "to reaffirm". Step 2: Consider "acknowledge". It means to admit or accept that something is true or valid, and in many contexts it functions as a near synonym of affirm or confirm. Step 3: Check "renounce". This means to give up a claim, right, or belief, which is the opposite of asserting it again. Step 4: Look at "disbelief". This is a noun meaning lack of belief, not a verb, and does not match the grammatical role or meaning of "reassert". Step 5: Examine "conceal". It means to hide or keep something secret, which is again quite different from openly stating or affirming something.


Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine the sentence "The leader decided to reassert his commitment to social justice." If we replace "reassert" with "acknowledge", we get "The leader decided to acknowledge his commitment to social justice." The sense remains reasonably close in that he is openly accepting or confirming that commitment. If we use "renounce" or "conceal", the sentence changes meaning completely, which shows that these are not synonyms. This comparison supports choosing "acknowledge" as the best available option.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Renounce" indicates giving up something, often publicly, which contradicts the idea of stating or confirming something again. "Disbelief" is not even a verb but a noun, so it cannot function as a synonym of "reassert" in typical sentence structures. "Conceal" means to hide or keep something out of sight or secret; this is the opposite attitude of openly stating or reaffirming something.


Common Pitfalls:
Some students may focus only on partial similarities in sound, confusing "reassert" with words like "resign" or "renounce" because both appear in political contexts. Others may ignore part of speech and wrongly pick a noun when a verb is needed. To avoid such errors, always check whether the option matches the grammatical category of the word in question and whether it can substitute naturally in sample sentences without changing the basic meaning.


Final Answer:
The closest synonym of "reassert" among the given options is acknowledge.

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