For this question, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Gambling is a pernicious act.
Answer Details
Pernicious means having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. It describes something that causes serious damage or injury, often without being immediately obvious.
The word nearest in meaning is noxious, which means harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant. Both pernicious and noxious describe something that causes harm or damage.
The other options are antonyms of pernicious:
beneficial means producing good results or helpful effects - the direct opposite of harmful.
harmless means not able or likely to cause damage or injury - the direct opposite of pernicious.
benign means gentle, kindly, or (of a medical condition) not harmful - again the opposite.
Note that pernicious carries a stronger connotation than simply "bad"; it implies insidious, creeping harm. Among the options, noxious captures this harmful quality most accurately.