Final answer:
In the analogy 'naughty is to mischievous as compassionate is to ----------', the word that fits the blank is 'empathetic'. Both 'naughty' and 'mischievous' similarly denote playful misbehavior, while 'compassionate' and 'empathetic' are synonyms that describe the ability to understand and alleviate another's suffering.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'naughty is to mischievous as compassionate is to ----------' asks to identify a synonym for compassionate that is similar in relation to how naughty is a synonym to mischievous. Both pairs are meant to show a connection between words that are similar in meaning (synonyms).
When we think of the word naughty, it brings to mind a mild form of misbehavior or disobedience. The word mischievous similarly describes someone who is playfully naughty or causes minor trouble. These two terms are synonymous in that they both describe a playful form of mischief.
In a similar vein, if we look at the word compassionate, it conveys a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. A word that would fit well in the blank, as it carries a similar meaning to 'compassionate', would be empathetic. When someone is empathetic, it means they have the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, which closely aligns with the idea of being compassionate.