Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word in the following sentence.
The doctor assured the patient that the tumour was benign and could be easily removed.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Malignant.
Benign means harmless, non-cancerous, or gentle in nature.
Its opposite is malignant, which refers to something harmful, cancerous, or dangerous.
Therefore, the correct antonym of benign is malignant.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
Favourable – Something positive or beneficial (not the opposite of benign).
Sterile – Free from bacteria or incapable of reproducing (not related to the meaning of benign).
Kind – Generous or compassionate (benign can mean gentle, but kind is not a direct opposite).
Hence, the chosen option is correct.