Synonyms

To extirpate means to destroy or remove completely, to pull up by the roots. 'Root out' captures this meaning perfectly, as it also means to completely remove or eliminate something.

To deign means to do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity. Condescend has a similar meaning - to behave as if one is superior and granting a favor by doing something.

An edict is an official order or proclamation issued by an authority. A public notice serves a similar purpose - it's an official announcement made public, making it the closest synonym.

Gainsay means to deny, contradict, or oppose a statement or assertion. 'To deny' directly captures this meaning, making it the correct synonym.

A helix is a three-dimensional spiral curve, like a coiled spring or the structure of DNA. 'Coil of wire' is a literal representation of this spiral shape.

To impede means to hinder, obstruct, or block progress or movement. 'Hinder' is a direct synonym, meaning to create difficulties or delays for something.

Indurate means to make hard, callous, or unfeeling. 'Hardened' is the direct synonym, capturing both the literal sense of becoming physically hard and the metaphorical sense of becoming emotionally tough.

To interdict means to prohibit, forbid, or officially prevent something. 'Forbid' is the most direct synonym, meaning to refuse to allow something.

The adverb 'aback' means shocked, startled, or surprised. It's most commonly used in the phrase 'taken aback,' but the core meaning is being shocked. 'To be shocked' is the correct synonym.

Abrasive means rough or harsh, either physically (like sandpaper) or in manner (rude in speech or behavior). When describing personality, it means both rude AND unkind, making option C the correct answer.

Abrade means to wear away, scrape, or rub off (like sandpaper abrading a surface). Options A, B, and C are grammatically incorrect phrases that do not convey the meaning of abrade. Since none of the given options correctly define abrade, 'None of these' is the right choice.

Abroad means in or to a foreign country. Option A correctly captures this meaning with the preposition 'to' which indicates direction or location. Options B and C use incorrect prepositions ('by' and 'off') that do not properly convey the meaning of abroad.

Absent-minded means forgetful or having a tendency to forget things. Option B uses the correct infinitive structure 'to forget' after 'tending'. Option A incorrectly uses 'of' and Option C incorrectly uses 'by' - both are grammatically incorrect in this context.

Absolute means total, complete, or unconditional. Option A correctly uses 'and' to connect two synonymous terms that together define absolute. Option B uses 'in' which is grammatically incorrect, and Option C uses 'and Incomplete' which contradicts the meaning of absolute.