Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word.

The WHO issued a statement on Sunday morning that though the Omicron variant of coronavirus may appear to be less severe, it should not be dismissed as 'mild'.

Gentle

In the given sentence, the word "severe" is used to describe the seriousness or intensity of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. In this context, the antonym of "severe" would be a word that signifies a lack of seriousness or intensity.

Let's analyze the options:

Option 1: "Withered" - This word relates to the drying out or wilting of something due to loss of moisture. It doesn't directly convey the opposite meaning of severity.

Option 2: "Sick" - This word refers to being unwell or experiencing illness. While it's not directly opposite to "severe," it also doesn't convey the intended meaning.

Option 3: "Gentle" - This word means mild, kind, or not harsh. In the context of the sentence, if the Omicron variant is less severe, it means it's not as harsh or intense, which aligns with the concept of being gentle.

Option 4: "Voracious" - This word means having a very eager approach to consuming something, usually food. It doesn't relate to severity.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3: "Gentle," as it conveys the opposite meaning of severity, indicating a milder or less intense situation.