Which word means deliberately harmful?

• A. Immune
• B. Superior
• C. Malicious
• D. Acquire

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is identifying a word that conveys intentional harm. Malicious exactly fits because it describes having or showing a desire to cause damage or pain on purpose. So a malicious act or a malicious rumor is not just harmful—it’s done with intent to harm.

Immune means protected against something, which has nothing to do with harmful intent. Superior describes being higher in rank or quality, not about causing harm. Acquire means to obtain or gain something, again unrelated to intent to harm. Etymologically, malicious comes from roots related to malus, meaning bad, and malitia, meaning ill will, reinforcing the sense of deliberate harm.

Example: spreading a malicious rumor aims to hurt someone’s reputation on purpose.