Question

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to “Benevolent”.

• A. Kind
• B. Generous
• C. Malevolent
• D. Charitable

Hint:

A useful vocabulary pair: Benevolent = Kind and helpful Malevolent = Harmful and evil-minded These two words are direct opposites.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. To answer antonym questions correctly, first determine the exact meaning of the given word and then identify the option that expresses the opposite idea.

Step 1: Understand the meaning of benevolent.
The word \[ \text{Benevolent} \] means:
• Kind-hearted
• Generous
• Helpful
• Well-meaning
• Showing goodwill towards others For example:
• A benevolent king helps his subjects.
• A benevolent donor supports charitable causes.

Step 2: Analyze Option (A).
\[ \text{Kind} \] has a meaning very close to benevolent. Thus it is a synonym rather than an antonym. Hence Option (A) is incorrect.

Step 3: Analyze Option (B).
\[ \text{Generous} \] also means willing to give and help others. This is again a synonym of benevolent. Hence Option (B) is incorrect.

Step 4: Analyze Option (C).
\[ \text{Malevolent} \] means:
• Evil-minded
• Harmful
• Wishing bad things for others
• Having ill intentions This meaning is directly opposite to benevolent. Therefore this option is correct.

Step 5: Analyze Option (D).
\[ \text{Charitable} \] means generous and kind. This again has a positive meaning similar to benevolent. Hence Option (D) is incorrect.

Step 6: Select the correct answer.
The opposite of benevolent is: \[ \boxed{\text{Malevolent}} \] Therefore Option (C) is correct.