Question

Identify the odd word

• A. Malicious
• B. Inhibitive
• C. Spiteful
• D. Malevolent

Hint:

When evaluating synonyms or near-synonyms, look for the most precise core meaning. Sometimes, one word will deviate from the common semantic field of the others based on a subtle but crucial difference in definition.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Checking whether each word can complete "he acted out of ___ towards her" helps separate the odd one out.

1. Malicious: "He acted out of malice towards her" fits, describing harmful intent.
2. Inhibitive: "He acted out of inhibitive towards her" makes no sense, inhibitive describes an effect on an action or process, such as an inhibitive rule or inhibitive dose, never a personal intent toward someone.
3. Spiteful: "He acted out of spite towards her" fits naturally, again describing an intent to hurt.
4. Malevolent: A malevolent act is one carried out with a wish to do evil towards someone, so it fits the same intent-based sense.

Malicious, spiteful, and malevolent all describe a personal wish to harm someone else, while inhibitive only describes something that restrains or blocks a process, with no personal ill will involved. That makes inhibitive the odd word.