Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the word highlighted in bold in the given sentence.

The lenient ways of the police towards the thief drew a lot of criticism from the public.

The correct answer is: Strict.

Key Points

• The word "lenient" means being more merciful or tolerant than expected; it refers to a mild or permissive approach. (सहनशील)
  • Example: The teacher's lenient attitude towards late submissions was appreciated by the students.
• "Strict" refers to enforcing rules or discipline rigorously and not allowing for exceptions. (सख्त)
  • Example: The school principal was known for her strict adherence to the rules.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'lenient' is 'strict'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Strict.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Compassionate (दयालु): Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
  • Example: The compassionate nurse comforted the patient during his difficult time.
• Generous (उदार): Willing to give more of something, such as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.
  • Example: She was very generous with her time, volunteering at the local shelter every weekend.
• Pleasant (सुखद): Giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.
  • Example: We had a pleasant afternoon at the park, enjoying the sunshine and a picnic.