Choose the appropriate antonym of the given word. Gullibility

Question

Choose the appropriate antonym of the given word. Gullibility

1. A. Trust
2. B. Naviety
3. C. Innocence
4. D. Skepticism (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — Skepticism

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Skepticism.

Key Points

• Gullibility is the tendency to believe things too readily — being easily deceived or persuaded.
• Its opposite is skepticism, the disposition to doubt and question claims before accepting them.
• Trust, naivety and innocence all sit close to gullibility rather than against it, so the three-alike pattern isolates the answer.

Additional Information

• Word family: gullible (adj.), gullibility (n.); synonyms include credulous, naive, unsuspecting, impressionable.
• On the sceptical side: skeptical, incredulous, dubious, wary, circumspect, distrustful.
• Distinguish skepticism (withholding belief pending evidence) from cynicism (assuming bad motives) — the two are frequently confused in vocabulary questions.
• Note the spelling variants: skeptic in American usage, sceptic in British; both appear in Indian exam papers.