Question

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word:
Ruthless
 a. Majestic
b. Pity
c. Merciful
d. Grief

Answer 1

Hint: The student should go through the options provided carefully and try to recall each of their meanings. Then the option which is the most opposite in meaning to the given word in question should be selected.

Complete answer:
Antonyms are those words that express meaning as opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other.
In the given question, the word ‘ruthless’ refers to ‘without mercy or pity’.

Let us analyze the options given to us in this question-
Option (a.), 'majestic', refers to ‘majestic in a manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters’.Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘ruthless’.
Option (b.), ‘pity', refers to a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others’.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘ruthless’.
Option (c.), ‘merciful', refers to ‘showing or giving mercy’. Therefore, option (c.) is correct as its meaning is antonymous to that of the given word ‘ruthless’.
Option (d.), ‘grief', refers to ‘intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)’. Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘ruthless’.

Note:
Sometimes the given options in a question where we have to find the opposite of the given word do not exactly mean the opposite of the given word. If this happens, we have to select the option which is the most antonym to the meaning of the word in the question.