Choose the appropriate word which is opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
The benevolent king showed clemency to the defeated soldier.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → virulence
- Clemency means mercy, a gentle and forgiving attitude towards someone who could be punished (from the Latin "clemens", mild). The benevolent king showed mercy to the defeated soldier.
Example: The governor showed clemency and reduced the prisoner's sentence. - Virulence means extreme bitterness and hostility (also the harmful strength of a disease). Harsh hostility stands against gentle mercy, so virulence is the antonym among the options.
Example: The virulence of his attack on his rivals shocked everyone.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: mercy — Incorrect. Mercy means kindness shown to someone one could punish; it is a synonym of clemency, not its opposite.
Example: The judge showed mercy to the young offender.
Option 3: leniency — Incorrect. Leniency means being less strict than expected in punishing someone; it is also a synonym of clemency.
Example: The teacher's leniency surprised the late students.
Option 4: equanimity — Incorrect. Equanimity means calmness of mind, especially in a difficult situation; it is not the opposite of mercy.
Example: She accepted the bad news with equanimity.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| clemency | – | 24-05 S1 | – | – | – |
| virulence | – | – | – | 08-06 S1 | – |
| equanimity | – | 26-05 S1 | – | – | – |