Select the word that fits the analogy: Explicit : Implicit :: Express : _______ A. Impress B. Repress C. Compress D. Suppress

GATE 2020 · General Aptitude · Word Pairs · medium

Answer: B. Repress

1. Identify the relationship in the given pair: Explicit (openly stated) and Implicit (not stated, implied) are antonyms. The prefix 'im-' on 'Explicit' creates its opposite 'Implicit'.
2. Apply the same pattern to 'Express': Express means to openly state or convey. We need its opposite — a word meaning to hold back or suppress expression. 'Repress' means exactly that: to suppress or hold back.
3. Eliminate other options: Impress means to affect strongly. Compress means to press together. Suppress also means to hold back but does not carry the specific semantic mirroring of 're-' as the reverse/undoing of expression. Repress specifically means to prevent from being expressed.