Which of the following options is the closest in meaning to the word below? Exhort A. urge B. condemn C. restrain D. scold

GATE 2010 · General Aptitude · Synonyms · medium

Answer: A. urge

1. Define Exhort: 'Exhort' means to urge someone strongly, typically with earnest advice or appeals. It has a positive, motivating intent — you exhort someone toward a positive action.
2. Compare options: A. Urge = to strongly recommend or push toward action — matches exhort. B. Condemn = to criticize harshly — opposite in tone. C. Restrain = to hold back — exact opposite of exhort (which pushes forward). D. Scold = to rebuke angrily — negative, punitive, not encouraging.
3. Select answer: Option A (Urge) is the correct synonym of 'Exhort'.