The correct answer is 'mocking.' Key Points - Let us see the meaning of Sardonic: - Sardonic: grimly mocking or cynical. - Example: Rohit attempted a sardonic smile. - Let us see the meanings of the given options: - Compassionate:feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others. - Insightful: having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive. - Mocking: makingfun of someone or something in a cruel way; derisive. - Comic: causing or meant to cause laughter. - From the meanings of the given words, we can say thatthe word 'mocking' is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'sardonic'. - Hence, the correct answer is 'mocking.'