Understanding the Word 'Stagnant'

The question asks for a synonym of the word 'stagnant'. The word stagnant generally means not flowing or moving, lacking activity, or being dull and inactive. Think of stagnant water in a pond, which is still and not flowing.

Analyzing the Context Sentence

The provided sentence is: "Reeta was motionless after knowing that her brother had become mentally unstable after seeing the fatal accident on Tuesday night." Although the word 'stagnant' is not explicitly used in this sentence, the word 'motionless' is used to describe Reeta's state.

Motionless means completely still, without any movement.

Identifying the Synonym

We need to find the word among the options that best matches the meaning of 'stagnant', considering the context. Let's examine the options:

• Motionless: This word means not moving. It captures the primary meaning of being still, which is a key characteristic of 'stagnant'.
• Fatal: This means causing death or ruin. It is related to the accident described but is not a synonym for 'stagnant'.
• Unstable: This means not firm, steady, or likely to change or fail. While someone motionless might appear stable, 'unstable' doesn't mean motionless or stagnant.
• Accident: This refers to an unfortunate event. It is unrelated to the meaning of 'stagnant'.

Comparing 'Stagnant' and 'Motionless'

The core meaning shared by both 'stagnant' and 'motionless' is the lack of movement or being still. In the context of the sentence, Reeta's state is described as 'motionless'. Given the options, 'motionless' is the closest word in meaning to the concept of being stagnant (lacking movement).

Conclusion

Based on the shared meaning of being still and not moving, 'Motionless' is the most appropriate synonym for 'stagnant' among the given choices, especially when considering the descriptive word used in the sentence.