Which of the following words would best antonym "prudence"?

The word that serves as the best antonym for "prudence" is indeed carelessness. Prudence refers to the quality of being cautious, wise, and having good judgment in practical matters, especially when making decisions. It involves thinking carefully about the consequences of one's actions.

In contrast, carelessness conveys a lack of concern or attention to detail, suggesting a hasty or thoughtless approach to decision-making that overlooks the potential risks or ramifications. This stark dichotomy underscores the idea that while prudence promotes deliberation and thoughtful consideration, carelessness embodies recklessness and a disregard for careful planning.

The other options, such as discretion, judiciousness, and wisdom, actually align more closely with the concept of prudence. Discretion implies the ability to make wise decisions based on careful judgment, judiciousness refers to having or showing good judgment, and wisdom encompasses the knowledge and experience that guide sound decision-making. None of these terms capture the opposite behavior of being reckless or inattentive as carelessness does.