Correct Answer:
C. Malevolent
An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. The word 'Benign' means gentle, kind, not harmful, or not cancerous (in a medical context).
- 'Malevolent' means wishing evil or harm to others; malicious. This is the direct opposite of benign.
- 'Kind' is a synonym of benign.
- 'Gentle' is also a synonym of benign.
- 'Generous' means showing a readiness to give more of something than is necessary or expected, which is a positive trait but not an antonym of benign.
Understanding the precise meaning of words is key to identifying their antonyms.