In the conversation given below, fill in the blank with the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in brackets.

A: I’m sorry, but I have to (dismiss) your proposal. It’s very tempting, but I have other priorities.
B: Oh, that’s disappointing. I was hoping you would ______ it.

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The word in the blank needs to be the opposite of the word dismiss. The word dismiss means to reject, discard, or not consider something. It refers to the act of refusing or declining something, typically in a formal or authoritative manner. In this context, the speaker is saying they have to dismiss the proposal, which implies that they are turning it down. Therefore, the opposite would be a word that suggests support or advancement of the proposal.

Among the given options:

Promote is the correct answer because it means to encourage, advance, or support something or someone. In this case, to promote a proposal would mean to advocate for it, which is the opposite of dismissing it.

Information Booster:

Dismiss: It means to reject or decline. In a professional or academic context, it is often used to convey that an idea or proposal is not worthy of attention or further consideration.

Example: The committee decided to dismiss the proposal due to lack of evidence.

Promote: It means to raise or advance something in importance or status. Promoting an idea or proposal would mean supporting or endorsing it.

Example: The manager chose to promote the new marketing strategy within the company.

In this case, dismiss and promote are direct opposites in terms of approval or support. While dismissing is rejecting or not considering something, promoting is encouraging, advancing, or bringing attention to something.
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Additional Knowledge:

Shed:

To shed means to get rid of, discard, or drop something. While it may seem similar to dismiss, it is not directly the opposite of dismiss in the context of a proposal. Shed is usually used in contexts where something is discarded, like shedding old skin or shedding weight, but not in the context of rejecting or considering something seriously.
Example: After years of hard work, he decided to shed his old habits and start fresh.

Bundle :

Bundle means to gather or collect things together, usually into one package or bundle. This is unrelated to the concept of dismissing or promoting an idea. Bundle is more about grouping items, which does not make sense in the context of a proposal.
Example: She carefully bundled the papers together before submitting them.

Relegate:

Relegate means to assign something to a lower position or a less important role. This word suggests demotion or downgrading, which is not the opposite of dismiss. Relegate implies assigning something to a less important role, not promoting or endorsing it.
Example: After the incident, he was relegated to a less critical department in the company.