Which of the following choices is an antonym for "soft"?

An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. In this case, "soft" refers to a texture that is not firm or hard. The term "hard" directly contrasts with "soft," as hard objects are solid, inflexible, and often sturdy, while soft objects can be easily compressed or molded. Therefore, "hard" effectively conveys the opposite concept, distinguishing it from other choices, which may have related meanings but do not serve as direct opposites. For instance, "gentle," "fragile," and "delicate" all describe qualities that may relate to softness but do not represent its opposite. "Hard" is the clear and accurate antonym in this context.