Select the most appropriate antonym of the underlined word in the given sentence:-

It seemed a perfectly innocuous remark.

pernicious

The correct answer is Option (3) → pernicious

• Innocuous (Adjective) means not harmful or offensive; harmless.

• Pernicious (Adjective) means having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way; deadly. This is the most accurate antonym.

Other Options: 

• Harmless is a synonym for innocuous.

• Insane relates to mental state, not harm/offensiveness. (Unrelated).

• Permissible means allowable or permitted. (Unrelated).