Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the italicized word:
He nurtured in him a strong craving for revenge from those criminals.
A. Kindness
B. Anger
C. Pity
D. Forgiveness

Answer 1

Hint: The word revenge means to take any action to punish someone who has hurt or troubled you or acquaintances. This is a negative emotion and its opposite will necessarily be a positive emotion.

Complete answer:
- The word kindness means to be kind or generous towards someone. It is a feeling or emotion that is positive and presents the helping nature of a person. This is not exactly opposite in meaning to the word revenge. Therefore, option A is wrong.
- Option B is anger. This is also a negative emotion like revenge. Anger is a feeling of frustration and agitation. This is not opposed to revenge. Therefore, option B is also incorrect.
- Pity is an emotion under which a person feels sorry or sad about the acts performed by someone. This is also a negative emotion. Therefore, option C is also incorrect.
- Option D is forgiveness. This is a positive emotion. Also, it means to forgive the person who has hurt or troubled you or your acquaintances. This word is exactly opposite to the word revenge. Therefore, option D is correct.

> Hence, option D that is forgiveness is the correct answer.

Note: Opposite words have altogether different meanings. Therefore, any word which has even slightly similar meaning cannot be regarded as the opposite of the given word.