Dismal is to gloomy as enthusiastic is to what?

The relationship between "dismal" and "gloomy" is that both words describe a negative emotional state or atmosphere, with a focus on feelings of sadness or depression. They are synonymous in terms of conveying a lack of cheer and an overall dark mood.

In a similar vein, "enthusiastic" describes a positive emotional state characterized by excitement and eagerness. The word that best captures this positive quality is "eager." Both "enthusiastic" and "eager" convey a sense of high energy and readiness to engage, reflecting an uplifted and positive disposition.

The other options do not maintain this positive connotation. "Effective" does not relate directly to feelings, while "indifferent" describes a lack of interest or concern, which is a stark contrast to enthusiasm. "Dull," similarly, pertains to a lack of excitement or interest, which again opposes the essence of being enthusiastic. Thus, "eager" aligns perfectly as it mirrors the positivity attributed to "enthusiastic."