Which statement best defines magnanimous?

• A. kind, generous, or forgiving in overlooking injury or insult, especially towards a rival or less powerful person; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness
• B. high-minded; generous and noble
• C. stubborn or unmoved by others' feelings
• D. petty or mean

Answer: (B)

Magnanimous describes a person with a lofty, noble spirit who acts with generosity and moral greatness, even toward others who might oppose or slight them. The best statement conveys both parts of that idea: being high-minded and being generous and noble. This captures not just a single act of kindness or forgiveness, but a broader, principled generosity that rises above petty resentments. The alternative ideas lean toward specific aspects (like forgiving injury) or describe traits that are opposite in spirit, such as being petty or unmoved by others’ feelings, which don’t fit the overall sense of magnanimity.