Select the appropriate ANTONYM of the highlighted word to fill in the blank.
We should try to pacify the situation and not _____ it further.

Correct option is D

The correct antonym of the given word is (d) aggravate.
Pacify: To calm down or bring peace to a situation. (Hindi meaning: शांत करना, तसल्ली देना)
Example: The teacher tried to pacify the angry student after the argument.
Aggravate: To make worse or more serious. (Hindi meaning: और बिगाड़ना / उकसाना)
Example: Throwing fuel on fire will only aggravate the problem.
Synonyms: soothe, calm, appease, settle.
Antonyms: aggravate, provoke, intensify, irritate.
Meanings of all the other given options:
· (a) Mitigate: To make less severe (कम करना)
· (b) Standardise: To make uniform or regular (मानकीकरण करना)
· (c) Illustrate: To explain with examples or visuals (उदाहरण देना)