Which word means a person who opposes established beliefs?

Prepare for the GRE Verbal Reasoning Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Increase your chance of success on exam day!

Multiple Choice

Which word means a person who opposes established beliefs?

Explanation:
The idea tested is identifying a word for a person who opposes established beliefs. Iconoclast fits because it comes from icon- (image, emblem) and -clast (breaker), and historically referred to someone who breaks or challenges religious icons. Metaphorically, it’s used for anyone who questions or rejects long-standing ideas, traditions, or institutions. The other words point to very different notions: frugality means thriftiness or being economical; florid describes something ornate or excessively elaborate in style; garrulous means overly talkative. None of these convey opposition to accepted beliefs, which is why iconoclast is the correct choice.

The idea tested is identifying a word for a person who opposes established beliefs. Iconoclast fits because it comes from icon- (image, emblem) and -clast (breaker), and historically referred to someone who breaks or challenges religious icons. Metaphorically, it’s used for anyone who questions or rejects long-standing ideas, traditions, or institutions.

The other words point to very different notions: frugality means thriftiness or being economical; florid describes something ornate or excessively elaborate in style; garrulous means overly talkative. None of these convey opposition to accepted beliefs, which is why iconoclast is the correct choice.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy