The correct word is "laudatory", the word "scurrilous" means abusive or defamatory, typically used to describe harmful or insulting remarks. The correct word to fill in the blank is "laudatory" - Laudatory means expressing praise or admiration, which fits the context where the leadership of the company is receiving the remarks with joy. Even though "scurrilous" typically means insulting, the sentence presents an irony where the leadership is receiving them positively. The other options do not fit the context: - Reviling means criticizing in an abusive or insulting way, which contradicts the idea of receiving the remarks with joy. - Scathing means severely critical, which also doesn't align with the idea of joyfully accepting remarks. - Upbraiding means scolding or criticizing severely, which does not fit the context of receiving the remarks with joy. Thus, the correct sentence is: "The laudatory remarks in the article were met with great joy by the leadership of the company."