Correct Answer:
B. Hideous
The correct answer is Hideous. "Ugly" means unpleasant or repulsive in appearance. The word hideous conveys the same sense of being shockingly unattractive or offensive to the senses, making it the closest synonym.
Word Association
- Ugly vs. Hideous: Both adjectives describe something that is extremely unattractive or aesthetically displeasing. "Hideous" intensifies the meaning, often implying something that is horrifying or repugnant to look at.
- Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
- Beautiful: The direct antonym of ugly — meaning attractive and pleasing.
- Charming: Suggests pleasant attractiveness and appeal, the opposite of ugliness.
- Graceful: Implies elegance and refined beauty, entirely unrelated to ugliness.
- Usage in Context: "The old building was ugly and crumbling" could be rewritten as "The old building was hideous and crumbling." The meaning remains intact.
Therefore, the closest synonym of "Ugly" is Hideous.