What is a natural synonym for 'doesn't like' as used in the sentence about the new soldier?

• A. Dislikes
• B. Admires
• C. Enjoys
• D. Avoids

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is choosing a word that expresses a negative feeling toward something. When you say someone “doesn’t like” something, the natural, direct substitute is “dislikes.” It simply states a negative feeling without adding any sense of action or special nuance.

Why the others don’t fit as natural synonyms: “admires” means respects or looks up to, which is the opposite of not liking. “Enjoys” means takes pleasure in, also opposite. “Avoids” describes a behavior of staying away, which can reflect a choice to steer clear rather than a direct feeling toward something. So the best fit for a natural synonym is “dislikes.”