In the following question, choose the option that is opposite in meaning to the word “Nefarious.”

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks for the antonym of the word “nefarious.” Such words frequently appear in articles about crime, corruption, or immoral behaviour. Knowing the meaning and the opposite of “nefarious” helps you understand strong negative judgments in written English.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The word given is “Nefarious.”
The options are “Evil,” “Pleasing,” “Rotten,” and “Infernal.”
We assume the word is used in its common sense of describing wicked or criminal actions.

Concept / Approach:
“Nefarious” means extremely wicked, immoral, or villainous, especially in the context of actions or plans. It has a strong negative meaning. Therefore, its antonym must carry a clearly positive or at least non evil sense. Among the options, “Pleasing” is the only positive word, suggesting something agreeable or enjoyable. The other three words “Evil,” “Rotten,” and “Infernal” all share negative or harmful connotations and are closer to synonyms than opposites of “nefarious.”

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that “nefarious” refers to things that are wicked, villainous, or morally corrupt. Step 2: Evaluate “Evil.” It is very close in meaning to “nefarious,” so it is a synonym, not an antonym. Step 3: Evaluate “Rotten.” Although it can literally refer to decayed matter, in a figurative sense it also describes something morally bad or corrupt, again negative. Step 4: Evaluate “Infernal,” which means relating to hell or extremely troublesome, and is also strongly negative. Step 5: Notice that “Pleasing” is the only option with a positive or agreeable sense, and so it serves as the opposite of “nefarious.”

Verification / Alternative check:
We can use “nefarious” in a sample sentence: “The police uncovered a nefarious plot to cheat investors.” The opposite description would be a “fair” or “pleasing” plan that benefits people rather than harming them. If we try to replace “nefarious” with “evil,” the meaning is nearly the same. Replacing it with “rotten” or “infernal” keeps the tone negative. Only “pleasing” reverses the emotional tone to something positive, which is what an antonym should do.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Evil” means morally bad or wicked and therefore closely matches “nefarious” in meaning.
“Rotten” is often used figuratively for corrupt or morally low situations, again aligning with “nefarious.”
“Infernal” suggests something hellish or extremely annoying and also remains negative, not opposite.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to choose a familiar negative word under pressure without checking whether the question asks for a synonym or an antonym. Another mistake is to focus on the emotional strength of the word rather than its positive or negative direction. When dealing with antonyms, always ask whether the new word changes the overall feeling of the sentence from negative to positive or vice versa. If it does not change the emotional direction, it is probably not a true antonym.

Final Answer:
The correct antonym of “Nefarious” is Pleasing, because it carries a positive sense opposite to the wickedness implied by “nefarious.”