Final answer:
The antonym for 'attract' is 'deter.' While 'attract' means to draw interest, 'deter' means to discourage or prevent something, making it the opposite of attract. The correct answer is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that is an antonym for attract is deter. Attract means to draw by appeal or allure, to invoke interest or pleasure leading to someone or something being drawn towards the source of attraction. In contrast, deter means to discourage or dissuade someone from taking an action or prevent something from happening. This is achieved by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences, thus having the opposite effect of attraction.
Option A, 'deter', clearly acts as the antonym in this case. Option B, 'appeal', is more aligned with attract as both imply a sense of allure or charm. 'Decide' and 'obey' (options C and D), don't directly relate to the concept of attraction or its opposite, so they are not antonyms for attract.
Understanding antonyms is critical for enriching language skills and improving vocabulary. The use of antonyms allows for a more precise and varied expression, and they are an essential part of the English language curriculum at the middle school level.