Select the antonym of the given word. BENIGN
Malignant
Finding the Antonym of BENIGN
The question asks us to find the antonym of the word BENIGN from the given options. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.
Understanding the word BENIGN
The word BENIGN primarily means:
- Gentle and kind.
- Not harmful in effect; in particular, (of a tumour) not malignant.
So, benign can refer to something that is kind, favorable, or medically, something that is not dangerous or does not spread (like a non-cancerous tumor).
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at each option and see if it is the opposite of BENIGN:
- Harmless: This word means not causing or likely to cause damage or injury. This is very similar in meaning to one sense of benign (not harmful). Therefore, it is a synonym or related word, not an antonym.
- Caring: This word means displaying kindness and concern for others. While benign can mean kind, caring is not a direct opposite. It relates more to the 'gentle and kind' sense but doesn't capture the 'not harmful/malignant' sense.
- Malignant: This word means malevolent; evil. In a medical context, it means (of a tumor) very virulent or infectious; cancerous. This is the direct opposite of the medical meaning of benign (not malignant/not cancerous). It is also the opposite in the general sense of being harmful or unfavorable.
- Generous: This word means showing a readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is necessary or expected. This word relates to giving freely and is not an opposite of either meaning of benign.
Determining the Correct Antonym
Comparing the options, Malignant is the clear antonym of BENIGN, particularly in the common medical usage, but also in the general sense of harmful vs. harmless or favorable vs. unfavorable.
Therefore, the antonym of BENIGN is MALIGNANT.
Revision Table: Antonym of Benign
| Word | Meaning (Key Senses) | Antonym | Meaning of Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENIGN | 1. Gentle, kind 2. Not harmful; not malignant (medically) |
MALIGNANT | 1. Evil, malevolent 2. Harmful; cancerous (medically) |
Additional Information: Expanding Vocabulary
Understanding antonyms is a great way to expand your vocabulary. When you learn a new word, also learning its opposite helps you grasp the full spectrum of meaning. For example, knowing that benign is the opposite of malignant helps clarify the meaning of both words, especially in medical contexts.
Here are a few more words related to BENIGN:
- Synonyms: Harmless, non-malignant, gentle, favorable, kind, good-natured.
- Related words: Innocent, safe, kindhearted.
- Antonym (General): Harmful, unfavorable, hostile, malevolent.
- Antonym (Medical): Malignant, cancerous, virulent.
Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms
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