Select the most appropriate opposite in meaning to the highlighted word in the following sentence.
He looked peevish when asked why he was late.

Correct option is A

The correct antonym of the given word is (a) Amicable.

Given word – Peevish:
Peevish means easily irritated or annoyed; having a bad-tempered or sulky disposition.
(Hindi meaning: चिड़चिड़ा / बदमिजाज)
Example: The child became peevish when his toy was taken away.

Correct answer word – Amicable:
Amicable means having a spirit of friendliness; pleasant and good-natured. It is the direct opposite of being peevish or irritable.
(Hindi meaning: मिलनसार / सौहार्दपूर्ण)
Example: Despite the disagreement, the two parties reached an amicable settlement.

Synonyms of Peevish: irritable, sulky, sullen, grumpy, cross.
Antonyms of Peevish: amicable, cheerful, pleasant, good-natured.

Meanings of other options:

• (b) Perverse – Showing a deliberate determination to behave in an unreasonable way (हठी / विकृत); this is similar in negative tone to peevish, not its antonym.
• (c) Diffident – Modest or lacking self-confidence (संकोची / झिझकने वाला); unrelated to the emotional temperament of being peevish.
• (d) Irritable – Easily annoyed or angered (चिड़चिड़ा); this is actually a synonym of peevish, not its antonym.