Which of the following words is the best synonym for the adjective "beautiful"?

Introduction / Context:
Synonym questions check your ability to recognise words with similar meanings, which is essential for building a strong English vocabulary. The word beautiful is a common adjective used to describe someone or something that is pleasing to the eye, attractive, or delightful. This question asks you to select the option that is closest in meaning to beautiful from a set of words that mostly describe the opposite idea.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is the positive adjective beautiful.
• The options include one positive word and several negative words.
• We must choose the word that most nearly expresses the same positive sense.
• Standard dictionary meanings of each option are assumed.

Concept / Approach:
Beautiful describes something very pleasing in appearance or in a broader sense, deeply attractive. Alluring means strongly attractive or charming, often in a way that draws or invites attention. This makes alluring a close synonym for beautiful, especially in contexts where appearance or charm is emphasised. The other words ugly, disgusting, and loathsome are strongly negative, describing something unpleasant to see or experience. Therefore, the best synonym among the options is alluring, which shares a similar positive, attractive meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that beautiful is a positive word used for pleasing appearance, charm, or excellence. Step 2: Look at each option and decide whether it carries a positive or negative sense. Step 3: Recognise that ugly, disgusting, and loathsome all describe things that are unpleasant or offensive, the opposite of beautiful. Step 4: Notice that alluring suggests charm and attractiveness, aligning with the pleasant and attractive sense of beautiful. Step 5: Select alluring as the word whose meaning is most similar to beautiful.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, try substituting each option into a simple sentence. She is a beautiful dancer becomes She is an alluring dancer, which still makes sense and suggests charm and grace. However, She is an ugly dancer, She is a disgusting dancer, or She is a loathsome dancer completely change the meaning and contradict the original positive sense. This substitution method shows clearly that alluring preserves the positive idea of attractiveness and is therefore the correct synonym.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ugly: This is wrong because ugly is an antonym of beautiful. It means unpleasant to look at or lacking beauty.
Disgusting: This is wrong because it describes something that causes strong dislike or revulsion, which is far from the idea of beauty.
Loathsome: This is wrong because it refers to something that inspires hatred or intense disgust, again the opposite of beautiful.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes exam takers glance at the options and pick a word just because it feels strong, without checking whether it is positive or negative. Another pitfall is confusing alluring with words that suggest something suspicious. While alluring can sometimes imply a dangerous attraction in context, its core meaning is still strongly attractive and charming. Always check if a synonym matches the emotional direction positive or negative of the original word before choosing it.

Final Answer:
The best synonym for beautiful among the given options is Alluring.