Identify the antonym of "Ruthless":
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Correct Answer
Compassionate
Explanation
Meaning: The word 'Ruthless' describes someone who shows no pity, mercy, or compassion toward others; they are relentless and cold-hearted. To solve this quickly for an exam, evaluate the emotional tone of the options. 'Harsh', 'Cruel', and 'Brutal' all carry a negative connotation and act as direct synonyms for ruthless. 'Compassionate' means feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others, which stands out as the exact opposite qualities of being ruthless. Therefore, Option 4 is the correct choice.
Key Points
Definition: Identifying antonyms involves matching a target word with an option that expresses a diametrically opposed emotional or behavioral trait.
Grammatical Role: Selecting a descriptive adjective that accurately establishes a contrasting relationship with the target vocabulary word.