Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: meanness
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
“Magnanimity” denotes greatness of spirit—generosity, nobility, and willingness to forgive. Philosophical and moral essays often pair this with virtues like benevolence and humility. The antonym must negate generosity of spirit, pointing instead to pettiness or smallness of mind and heart.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The opposite of magnanimity is not merely hostility, envy, or lack of money; it is a moral-smallness that refuses to give or forgive. “Meanness” captures this petty, ungenerous disposition, forming a natural antonymic pair in ethics vocabulary.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Contrast in sentence: “magnanimity … implies … qualities” vs. “meanness … implies the opposite traits (pettiness, refusal to forgive).” The conceptual field aligns cleanly as antonyms in moral philosophy.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Picking “enmity” because it sounds negative. Always anchor to the specific virtue/vise axis (generosity ↔ meanness), not any negative emotion or condition.
Final Answer:
meanness
Discussion & Comments