Choose the word among the answers that can best replace the underlined word in the sentence:
The new CEO “pledged” to deal with the company’s environmental issues.
A. Engrossed
B. Implicated
C. Negated
D. Affirmed
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The best word to replace “pledged” in the sentence is D. Affirmed.
Explanation:
In the given sentence, “pledged” means to make a solemn promise or commitment to take action regarding the company’s environmental issues. Each of the answer choices has different meanings, and understanding these meanings is crucial to selecting the appropriate synonym.
- A. Engrossed: This word means to be completely absorbed or focused on something. While a CEO might be engrossed in environmental issues, this term does not convey the idea of making a promise or commitment to address them. Therefore, “engrossed” is not a suitable replacement for “pledged.”
- B. Implicated: This term refers to being involved in a crime or wrongdoing. If someone is implicated in an issue, it suggests that they are being accused of some form of involvement or responsibility, which is the opposite of making a promise to resolve an issue. This word does not align with the original meaning of “pledged.”
- C. Negated: This word means to nullify or make ineffective. If the CEO negated the company’s environmental issues, it would imply that he or she dismissed or invalidated the problems rather than committing to addressing them. Thus, “negated” also fails to capture the essence of “pledged.”
- D. Affirmed: This word means to state something positively or to confirm a commitment. When the new CEO affirms a commitment to deal with environmental issues, it aligns well with the concept of pledging. Both words suggest a strong commitment to take action, indicating a promise to make improvements.
In conclusion, “affirmed” effectively captures the essence of the original sentence by conveying the idea of a firm commitment to addressing environmental issues, making it the best choice among the options provided.