Identify the antonym of "Infernal":
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
Heavenly
Explanation
The question asks to identify the antonym (the word with the opposite meaning) for "Infernal." To solve this quickly for an exam, look at the theological or cosmic concepts these words represent.
The adjective "Infernal" originates from the Latin word inferni, which refers to the underworld or Hades. In English, it is used to describe things relating to hell, the underworld, or anything characteristic of a dark, torturous, or underworld setting.
Let's look at the options to find the true opposite:
"Wicked," "Damned," and "Accursed" all share a negative, malicious, or doomed association that aligns directly with the concept of hell. Therefore, these act as synonyms or near-synonyms.
"Heavenly" relates directly to heaven, paradise, or a divine, blissful state.
Because heaven is the cosmic and spiritual opposite of hell, "Heavenly" is the exact antonym of "Infernal." This makes Option 3 the correct choice.
Key Points
Identifying antonyms for terms rooted in mythology or theology is simple when you map them onto classic binary pairs, such as hellish versus heavenly.
The word "infernal" shares the same root as the famous literary work Inferno, which deals entirely with the underworld, making its direct opposite divine or heavenly.