Antonym – Choose the option that best expresses the opposite meaning of the highlighted word in the sentence below. Sentence: His “vindictive” nature often came up for comment among his friends. Target word: vindictive (meaning: revengeful, disposed to retaliate)

Introduction / Context:
The prompt asks for the antonym of vindictive in the sentence “His vindictive nature often came up for comment among his friends.” Vindictive describes someone inclined to seek revenge or harbor resentment. The correct opposite must express a willingness to let go of resentment and not retaliate.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: vindictive = revengeful.
• We need an opposite on the same moral-emotional axis.
• Options refer to varied traits (memory, temperament, compliance, courage).

Concept / Approach:
Map the polarity: vindictive ↔ forgiving. Words like forgiving and magnanimous undo the impulse to get even. Options that shift to unrelated traits—memory (forgetful), compliance (obedient), or boldness (timid)—do not form true antonym pairs here.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Rewriting the sentence with the opposite: “His forgiving nature often came up for comment …” cleanly reverses the meaning and remains idiomatic.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• forgetful: Concerns memory; not the opposite of vengefulness.
• obedient: Concerns compliance; orthogonal to revengefulness.
• timid: Concerns courage; not a meaningful opposite of vindictive.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing forgiving with forgetful. Forgiving is about attitude to harm; forgetting is about memory and can occur without forgiveness (and vice versa).

Final Answer:
forgiving