GATE2025_CS1_Q2

The CEO's decision to downsize the workforce was considered myopic because it sacrificed long-term stability to accommodate short-term gains.

Select the most appropriate option that can replace the word “myopic” without changing the meaning of the sentence.

✅ Final Answer:

The correct answer is option (B) shortsighted.

🔹 Short Answer:

The word "myopic" figuratively means lacking imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight. The sentence context, "sacrificed long-term stability to accommodate short-term gains," directly illustrates this lack of foresight. "Shortsighted" is the most accurate synonym for this meaning and context, making it the correct replacement.

🔸 Long Answer:

This question is a test of vocabulary, requiring an understanding of the word myopic and its synonyms, especially in a business context.

Step 1: Understand the word "myopic" and the sentence context

The word myopic has two meanings:

• Literal: Nearsighted; unable to see distant things clearly.
• Figurative: Lacking foresight or long-term planning; focusing only on immediate results.

The sentence provides excellent context: "...because it sacrificed long-term stability to accommodate short-term gains." This phrase perfectly defines the figurative meaning of myopic. The CEO's decision was criticized for being focused only on the present without considering future consequences.

Step 2: Evaluate the given options

We need to find the word that best matches this figurative meaning.

Option	Meaning	Analysis in Context
(A) visionary	Thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom.	This is an antonym (opposite) of myopic. A visionary leader would prioritize long-term stability. Thus, this is incorrect.
(B) shortsighted	Lacking imagination or foresight; failing to consider the long-term consequences of actions.	This is a direct synonym for the figurative sense of myopic and perfectly describes the action of prioritizing short-term gains. This is the correct choice.
(C) progressive	Happening or developing gradually; favoring new ideas, policies, and social reform.	While it implies forward movement, it doesn't fit the negative connotation of ignoring future problems. A decision can be progressive without being wise. Incorrect.
(D) innovative	Featuring new methods; advanced and original.	Innovation refers to novelty, not the scope of planning. A decision can be both innovative and myopic (e.g., a new but unsustainable business model). It doesn't replace the meaning. Incorrect.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, "shortsighted" is the only word that accurately replaces "myopic" while preserving the intended meaning of the sentence. The CEO's decision was shortsighted because it failed to account for the long-term damage caused by downsizing, even if it brought immediate financial benefits.

Bibliography:
- "Myopic." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster.
- "Shortsighted." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press.

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