Vocabulary—Antonyms MCQ: Choose the most nearly opposite in meaning to ‘‘BENIGN’’; distinguish gentle, kind, and harmless disposition from hostile or harmful intent.

Given data

• Word: benign = kind, gentle; medically, not malignant.
• Options: Malevolent, Soft, Friendly, Unwise

Concept/Approach
Antonym must convey harmful or ill-intentioned character: malevolent.

Option-by-option analysis
Malevolent: wishing evil to others; harmful—direct antonym. ✅Soft/Friendly: near-positive traits but not opposites to benign. ❌Unwise: lack of wisdom, not opposite of gentle or harmless. ❌

Example
A benign leader helps; a malevolent leader harms.

Final Answer
Malevolent