Select the ANTONYM of the given word. OPPRESSIVE

Concept

An antonym is a word that expresses the opposite meaning of another word. To find the antonym of a word, first fix its core meaning, then look for the option whose meaning directly reverses it. Oppressive describes something cruel, harsh, and unjustly burdensome — typically the behaviour of a tyrannical authority that crushes people. Its opposite is therefore a quality of kindness, mercy and compassion toward people.

Application

The core sense of oppressive is "cruel and merciless toward people." The word that directly reverses this sense is humane, which means "marked by compassion, sympathy and consideration for people." Treating people humanely is the exact opposite of treating them oppressively, so humane is the antonym.

Contrast with the other choices

• Voluntary means "done of one's own free will." Its true opposite is "compulsory/forced," so it does not reverse the cruelty sense of oppressive.

• Wise means "having good judgement." Its opposite is "foolish"; it is unrelated to the harshness sense of oppressive.

• Prosperous means "flourishing or wealthy." Its opposite is "poor/unsuccessful"; it describes financial condition, not treatment of people.

Antonym = Humane.