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

A quick substitution test can help here: try placing each word into the same sentence frame, "The employee's ___ behavior upset his colleagues," and see which one doesn't fit naturally.

1. Malicious: "The employee's malicious behavior upset his colleagues" reads naturally, since malicious describes an intentionally harmful attitude toward people.
2. Inhibitive: "The employee's inhibitive behavior upset his colleagues" sounds odd and unnatural, because inhibitive describes restraining or holding back a process or action, not a way of treating people with ill will.
3. Spiteful: "The employee's spiteful behavior upset his colleagues" reads naturally, since spiteful behavior is specifically about hurting or annoying others out of ill will.
4. Malevolent: "The employee's malevolent behavior upset his colleagues" reads naturally, since malevolent describes a wish to harm others.

The sentence frame fits three of the words comfortably because they all describe harmful intent directed at people, while inhibitive fits awkwardly, since its real meaning is about restraining or blocking something, not ill will toward others.

Therefore, the correct answer is Inhibitive.