In the following English vocabulary question on antonyms, select the option that is opposite in meaning to the given word. Swindle means to cheat or defraud someone. Which option expresses the opposite idea?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Honesty, meaning fairness and truthfulness in dealing.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question tests the antonym of the word swindle. To swindle someone is to cheat or defraud them, especially in financial matters. The task is to choose the word that expresses the opposite idea, namely fair and truthful behaviour instead of cheating.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Swindle means to cheat, defraud, or trick someone out of money or property.
  • The options include insert, dupe, ample, and honesty.
  • An antonym must express the moral opposite of fraud and deception.
  • We are working within everyday English meanings suitable for competitive exams.
  • The question is not about technical meanings of any of the options.


Concept / Approach:
To find an antonym, first state the core meaning of swindle in your own words: dishonest cheating, especially in financial dealings. Then ask what word stands for the opposite quality. That opposite is honesty, which includes fairness, truthfulness, and absence of cheating. Therefore, we look for an option that carries that meaning and eliminate options that are either unrelated or similar to cheating.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define swindle as cheat someone, especially to take money unfairly. Step 2: Think of the direct moral opposite: behave honestly, fairly, and truthfully. Step 3: Examine the options. Honesty clearly refers to fair and truthful behaviour. Step 4: Notice that dupe is similar to swindle, not opposite, because it deals with deceiving someone. Step 5: Recognise that insert and ample are unrelated to cheating and therefore are not meaningful antonyms.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your choice by using both words in similar sentences and checking their contrast. For example, an honest shopkeeper never swindles customers. The pairing of honest and swindle shows that they go in opposite moral directions. This confirms that honesty is the correct antonym.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Option A, insert, is about placing something into a space or text and has no ethical meaning related to cheating or fairness.
  • Option B, dupe, means to deceive or trick someone, which is similar to swindle and therefore not an antonym.
  • Option C, ample, refers to quantity or abundance and is unrelated to honesty or dishonesty.


Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes students choose a word that feels strong or emotional, even when it is not logically opposite. In antonym questions, it is important to focus purely on the core meaning of the base word. Recognising that swindle is about cheating makes it much easier to link it directly to honesty as the opposite.


Final Answer:
Since swindle refers to cheating and fraudulent behaviour, its opposite is truthful and fair behaviour. Therefore, the correct antonym is Honesty, meaning fairness and truthfulness in dealing.

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