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NVS- 2025
English
Easy

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
Ruthless

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

  • The word 'Ruthless' means showing no pity or compassion for others.
  • The word 'Merciful' means showing or exercising mercy, which is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
  • Therefore, 'Merciful' is the direct antonym (opposite) of 'Ruthless'.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: 'Weak' refers to a lack of physical or mental strength.
  • Option B: 'Compromising' means to settle a dispute by mutual agreement. It is unrelated to the quality of being ruthless.
  • Option C: 'Heartless' is a synonym of 'ruthless', not an antonym. It describes a similar quality of lacking compassion.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Antonyms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • While this is a general English question, a strong vocabulary is crucial in nursing for clear and precise communication.
  • Effective communication with patients requires choosing words carefully. A nurse must be compassionate ('merciful') and not appear insensitive ('ruthless' or 'heartless') to a patient's suffering.
  • Accurate documentation relies on using the correct terms to describe a patient's condition, behavior, or response to treatment.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, understand the meaning of the given word, 'Ruthless'. It means to be cruel and show no pity.
  • Next, analyze the tone of the word. 'Ruthless' has a strong negative connotation.
  • Evaluate each option to find the one with the opposite meaning and tone.
  • Option A, 'Weak', is the opposite of 'strong', which is a different concept.
  • Option B, 'Compromising', relates to negotiation and is not on the same spectrum as cruelty.
  • Option C, 'Heartless', is a synonym (same meaning) for 'ruthless'.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Antonyms
  • Stem keywords: Ruthless, opposite in meaning
  • Lead-in keywords: opposite
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QfxEf_XLnKWRQSgLEPwDoe

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 7149-7151

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