In this antonyms question, choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word "TREACHERY" from among the four alternatives.

Introduction / Context:
This is a vocabulary question on antonyms, where you must choose the word that has the opposite meaning of the given word. The given word is "TREACHERY". Antonym questions are frequently used in exams to test whether you know not just the meaning of a word but also its opposite, which is very important for nuanced understanding and usage.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is "treachery".
• Options include "BETRAYAL", "MULING", "LOYALTY", and "REBELLION".
• You must identify which of these is opposite in meaning to "treachery".
• The context is general English, often used in discussions of trust and relationships.

Concept / Approach:
To find an antonym, you must first be clear about the meaning of the original word. "Treachery" means betrayal of trust, disloyal or deceitful behaviour, often against a friend, country, or leader. Therefore the opposite of treachery would be faithful or loyal behaviour, that is, "loyalty". Once you know this, it becomes straightforward to pick the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of "treachery": an act of betrayal, disloyalty, or cheating someone who trusted you.Step 2: Look at each option and recall its basic meaning.Step 3: "BETRAYAL" is almost a direct synonym of "treachery".Step 4: "REBELLION" means an uprising or resistance against authority, which is related to opposition, not necessarily betrayal of trust.Step 5: "LOYALTY" means faithfulness and strong support, which is clearly the opposite of treachery.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider a pair of sentences: "His treachery shocked everyone" and "His loyalty impressed everyone". In the first case, he betrayed trust; in the second, he remained faithful. These two sentences show opposite evaluations of a person's behaviour. If you replace "treachery" with "betrayal", the meaning hardly changes, so "betrayal" is not an antonym but a synonym. Similarly, "rebellion" may or may not be treacherous depending on context, so it is not a direct opposite.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"BETRAYAL" is essentially the same as treachery, since both involve breaking trust. "MULING" is not a standard English word in this context and appears incorrect or irrelevant. "REBELLION" refers to rising against authority and does not necessarily express loyalty or treachery in itself. None of these options represent the direct opposite of deceitful betrayal as clearly as "loyalty" does.

Common Pitfalls:
Students who misread the question as asking for a synonym may quickly choose "BETRAYAL". Always check whether the question demands a synonym (same meaning) or antonym (opposite meaning). Another mistake is trying to infer meaning from word sound alone, which can be misleading. Focus on the definition and then think of the opposite behaviour or quality.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is LOYALTY, because "treachery" involves betrayal of trust, while "loyalty" is the opposite quality of remaining faithful and trustworthy.