In the given passage, the word "lively" is used to describe the opposite of the sloth's characteristic. An antonym of "lively" is a word that means the opposite, which in this context would be **sluggish**.
To explain further:
1. The word "lively" describes something full of energy, active, or vibrant.
2. The passage describes the sloth as torpid, meaning slow-moving or lacking in energy.
3. Therefore, the antonym of "lively" in this context would be "sluggish," which aligns with the description of the sloth's behavior in the passage.
In summary, the antonym of "lively" in the context of the passage provided is "sluggish," as it represents the opposite of being active and energetic.
