Read the excerpt from John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address. To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support—to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective—to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak—and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.Based on context, what is the most likely definition for “invective”?
“Invective” means abusive or insulting language. Kennedy says the United Nations should not become merely a forum for invective, suggesting it should be more than a place where countries attack or criticize one another. Therefore, the closest choice is “criticism.”
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