Question

Choose the word nearest in meaning to the word given in capital letters: BESTOW

• A. confer
• B. take
• C. deny
• D. withhold

Hint:

Both bestow and confer are highly formal verbs used for giving official titles, honors, or awards rather than casual gifts: - The university conferred a doctorate. - The King bestowed a knighthood.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The objective is to uncover the correct synonym for the formal verb BESTOW.
• BESTOW (verb): To present an honor, right, gift, or quality to someone. It is typically paired with the preposition "upon" (e.g., *to bestow an award upon the winner*). Let us examine the options to find the closest match:
• Option (A) confer: Means to grant or bestow a title, degree, benefit, or right upon someone. It matches the formal tone and meaning of "bestow" perfectly (e.g., *to confer a degree*).
• Option (B) take: Means to lay hold of something or remove it. This is an antonym to giving or presenting.
• Option (C) deny: Means to refuse to give or grant something. This is a direct opposite of bestowing.
• Option (D) withhold: Means to refuse to give something that is due or requested. This is also an antonym to bestowing. Options (B), (C), and (D) all share a common theme of taking away or keeping back, whereas "confer" is the only option that means to grant or give. Therefore, Option (A) is the correct synonym.