Select the most appropriate word that can replace the underlined word without changing the meaning of the sentence:

Now...

Question

Select the most appropriate word that can replace the underlined word without changing the meaning of the sentence:

Now-a-days, most children have a tendency to belittle the legitimate concerns of their parents.

A. disparage  B. applaud  C. reduce  D. begrudge

Accepted Answer

A. disparage The sentence states that children tend to belittle (make seem trivial or unimportant) the valid concerns of their parents. We need a word that means the same thing as 'belittle'. The key is finding a word that conveys speaking or acting in a way that diminishes the importance of something. 'Disparage' means to regard or represent as being of little worth, which is a direct synonym for 'belittle'.