The professor was admired for his equanimous response to harsh criticism. Which word is the most precise antonym of equanimous?

Question

The professor was admired for his equanimous response to harsh criticism.

Which word is the most precise antonym of equanimous?

1. A. Volatile (Correct answer)
2. B. Indifferent
3. C. Impulsive
4. D. Belligerent

Correct Answer

Option A — A

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option A.

Key Points

• Volatile.
• (JKSSB's final key accepted both A and C; A is stored here.)
• Equanimous means calm, even-tempered and composed, especially under stress.
• Its most precise antonym is volatile — meaning liable to sudden emotional outbursts, the opposite of composed.
• JKSSB also accepted impulsive (C) as an antonym, since acting on sudden impulse likewise opposes calm composure.
• Why B and D are weaker: indifferent (B) means unconcerned, not agitated; belligerent (D) means aggressive/hostile, which is close but narrower than 'lacking calm'.

Exam Tip

• when two options are both defensible antonyms, exam bodies sometimes accept both — as JKSSB did here.

Additional Information

• Equanimous means calm and even-tempered, especially under pressure; the noun equanimity is the far commoner form.
• Antonyms: volatile, agitated, excitable, temperamental.
• Note that JKSSB's final key accepted more than one option here, so treat it as a contested item when revising.