Correct Answer:
A. Friendly
The word HOSTILE describes someone or something that is unfriendly and aggressive. It implies a strong opposition or antagonism, often characterized by a readiness to fight or argue. A hostile environment or person can make others feel unwelcome, threatened, or uncomfortable due to their aggressive or unwelcoming demeanor.
To find the antonym, we need a word that signifies the opposite of unfriendliness and aggression. The correct answer is A: Friendly. A friendly person or environment is kind, pleasant, and amicable. They are welcoming, supportive, and generally easy to get along with, which is the direct opposite of being hostile.
Let's look at the other options:
- B: Angry describes a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility, making it a related emotion rather than an antonym.
- C: Violent refers to behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill, which can be an extreme manifestation of hostility but not its direct opposite.
- D: Rough can describe a lack of gentleness or smoothness, which might be associated with hostile behavior but is not its primary antonym.
Thus, 'friendly' perfectly captures the opposite sentiment of 'hostile'.