Directions (Qs. 1 - 19): Find the correctly synonym of the given word.
1. Abstruse
A) Incomprehensible B) Theoretical C) Toilsome D) Bemuse
Ans: A
2. Augean
A) Cramped B) Effortful C) Intellectual D) Unfathomable
Ans: B
3. Austere
A) Constricted B) Wearisome C) Stern D) Perplex
Ans: C
4. Competence
A) Insular B) Conservative C) Stagnant D) Proficiency
Ans: D
5. Ineptitude
A) Inefficacy B) Moribund C) Mystify D) Parochial
Ans: A
6. Entrench
A) Comprehensive B) Ensconce C) Confined D) Abstract
Ans: B
7. Contagion
A) Bystander B) Deceptive C) Transmission D) Detest
Ans: C
8. Cohort
A) Crooked B) Dainty C) Economise D) Comrade
Ans: D
9. Ploy
A) Gambit B) Foulness C) Cowardice D) Comply
Ans: A
10. Idiosyncrasy
A) Acumen B) Mannerism C) Rattle D) Despicable
Ans: B
11. Quibble
A) Trait B) Abash C) Trivial D) Abject
Ans: C
12. Aghast
A) Adversity B) Harmony C) Servile D) Apalled
Ans: D
13. Muzzle
A) Gag B) Flourish C) Proliferate D) Adjunct
Ans: A
14. Synergy
A) Stubborn B) Cooperation C) Pacify D) Counsel
Ans: B
15. Officious
A) Amass B) Restrain C) Overbearing D) Vain
Ans: C
16. Progenitor
A) Ascend B) Allay C) Adamant D) Forerunner
Ans: D
17. Sumptuous
A) Palatial B) Abate C) Entice D) Indict
Ans: A
18. Enthuse
A) Uproar B) Spur C) Commotion D) Begetter
Ans: B
19. Sanguine
A) Allegory B) Accentuate C) Buoyant D) Hedger
Ans: C
Explanations
1. Abstruse: difficult to understand
Incomprehensible: not able to be understood
Theoretical: concerned with
Toilsome: involving hard or tedious work.
Bemuse: confuse
2. Augean: requiring so much effort
Cramped: uncomfortably small
Effortful: showing or requiring effort
Intellectual: of or relating to thought or understanding.
Unfathomable: incapable of being fully explored or understood.
3. Austere: severe or strict in manner or attitude
Constricted: narrowed
Wearisome: causing one to feel tired or bored
Stern: serious and unrelenting
Perplex: Confuse
4. Competence: the ability to do something successfully or efficiently
Insular: ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience.
Conservative: averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.
Stagnant: showing no activity.
Proficiency: a high degree of skill.
5. Ineptitude: lack of skill or ability.
inefficacy: failure to produce the desired effect.
Moribund: at the point of death.
Mystify: utterly bewilder or perplex
Parochial: having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.
6. Entrench: establish
Comprehensive: including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.
Ensconce: establish or settle
Confined: restricted in area or volume
Abstract: existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
7. Contagion: a disease spread by close contact.
Bystander: a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.
Deceptive: giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading.
Transmission: the action or process of transmitting something.
Detest: dislike intensely.
8. Cohort: a group of people with a shared characteristic.
Crooked: bent or twisted out of shape or out of place.
Dainty: delicately small and pretty.
Economise: spend less; reduce one's expenses.
Comrade: a colleague or a fellow member of an organization of same characteristics.
9. Ploy: a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage.
Gambit: an act or remark that is calculated to gain an advantage.
Foulness: the state or quality of being foul.
Cowardice: lack of bravery.
Comply: act in accordance with a wish or command.
10. Idiosyncrasy: a mode of behaviour or way of thought peculiar to an individual.
Acumen: the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions.
Mannerism: a habitual gesture or way of speaking or behaving.
Rattle: make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds.
Despicable: deserving hatred and contempt.
11. Quibble: a slight objection or criticism about a trivial matter.
Trait: a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person.
Abash: make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
Trivial: of little value or importance.
Abject: experienced or present to the maximum degree.
12. Aghast: filled with horror or shock.
Adversity: a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Harmony: the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce a pleasing effect.
Servile: having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.
Appalled: greatly dismay or horrified.
13. Muzzle: cloth put over a person's mouth to prevent them from speaking.
Gag: a piece of cloth put in or over a person's mouth to prevent them from speaking.
Flourish: grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly congenial environment.
Proliferate: increase rapidly in number; multiply.
Adjunct: a thing added to something else as a supplementary rather than an essential part.
14. Synergy: the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
Stubborn: the quality of being determined to do what you want and refusing to do anything else.
Cooperation: the action or process of working together to the same end.
Pacify: quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of.
Counsel: advice, especially that given formally.
15. Officious: assertive of authority in a domineering way, especially with regard to trivial matters.
Amass: gather together or accumulate
Restrain: prevent (someone or something) from doing something; keep under control or within limits.
Overbearing: unpleasantly overpowering.
Vain: having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.
16. Progenitor: a person or thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended or originates.
Ascend: go up or climb.
Allay: diminish or put at rest
Adamant: refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.
Forerunner: a person or thing that precedes the coming or development of someone or something else.
17. Sumptuous: splendid and expensivelooking.
Palatial: resembling a palace in being spacious and splendid.
Abate: become less intense or widespread.
Entice: attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage.
Indict: formally accused of or charged with a crime.
18. Enthuse: express eager enjoyment, interest, or approval regarding something.
Uproar: a loud and impassioned noise or disturbance.
Spur: a thing that prompts or encourages
someone; an incentive.
Commotion: a state of confused and noisy disturbance.
Begetter: someone who creates something
19. Sanguine: optimistic or positive
allegory: a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.
accentuate: make more noticeable or prominent.
Buoyant: cheerful and optimistic.
hedger: a person who makes or repairs hedges.
Some More...
In the field of competitive examinations, learning vocabulary plays a key role in scoring maximum marks in the English section. At least 3-4 questions will be asked from the synonyms and antonyms topic in almost every examination including Banking (SBI, IBPS, RBI etc.) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examinations. Studying synonyms and antonyms can improve the vocabulary of the aspirants. Synonyms and antonyms are not only useful in understanding the meanings and opposites of the words but also useful in solving the ‘Reading Comprehension’ topic, which is a very important topic for both Staff Selection Commission and Banking examinations. Synonyms and antonyms are also useful in answering ‘Fill in the blanks’ and ‘Cloze tests’topics. So, in order to score maximum marks in the English section, every aspirant has to concentrate on the Synonyms and antonyms also. Mugging up the words may not be a smart option to remember the subject. Knowing the meanings and opposites of the words and using them for the formation of sentences is very useful in memorizing the synonyms and antonyms.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Directions (Qs.1-28): In each of the questions given below, a word is given in bold letters and five options were given. Choose the appropriate synonym from the options that suits the word given in bold letters.
1. Ludicrous (Adjective)
a) Absurd b) Logical c) Realistic d) Serious e) Rational
Explanation: Ludicrous means so foolish, unreasonable or amusing.
Ex: It’s so ludicrous that I have gone to hit the traffic constable on my scooter.
Ans: a
2. Fishy (Adjective)
a) Truthful b) Suspicious c) Aboveboard d) Honest e) Correct
Explanation: Fishy is a phrase used to express a doubt or suspicion about something.
Ex: There's something fishy going on here.
Ans: b
3. Knave (Noun)
a) Innocent b) Saint c) Rogue d) Angel e) Hero
Explanation: Knave means a dishonest or a good-for-nothing person.
Ex: A crafty knave needs no broker.
Ans: c
4. Covert (Adjective)
a) Obvious b) Visible c) Exposed d) Secret e) Known
Explanation: Covert means concealed or not openly acknowledged regarding something.
Ex: He glanced covertly at his watch.
Ans: d
5. Defile (Verb)
a) Honour b) Praise c) Purge d) Clear e) Corrupt
Explanation: Defile means to make something dirty or no longer pure.
Ex: The homes of the victims of the earth quake have been defiled completely.
Ans: e
6. Pragmatic (Adjective)
a) Realistic b) impractical c) Fanciful d) Irrational e) theoretical
Explanation: Pragmatic means solving problems in a practical and sensible way rather than by having fixed ideas.
Ex: They are pragmatic about the spending cuts to save money.
Ans: a
7. Adversary (Noun)
a) Hospitable b) Opposition c) Sympathetic d) Friendly e) Empathetic
Explanation: Adversary means one's opponent in a contest, conflict or dispute.
Ex: The British considered Bhagat Singh as a worthy adversary and killed him.
Ans: b
8. Afflict (Verb)
a) Comfort b) Reprieve c) Agonize d) Assist e) Soothe
Explanation: Afflict means to affect somebody/ something in an unpleasant or harmful way.
Ex: She is badly afflicted with a heart problem.
Ans: c
9. Cynicism (Noun)
a) Optimism b) Ecstasy c) Hopefulness d) Despair e) Bliss
Explanation: Cynicism refers to a belief that something good will not happen or that something is not important.
Ex: The response from the minister regarding jobs was a weary cynicism.
Ans: d
10. Hefty (Adjective)
a) Puny b) Fragile c) Petite d) Slight e) Massive
Explanation: Hefty means big, heavy or large.
Ex: He sold his shares and made a hefty profit.
Ans: e
11. Righteous (Adjective)
a) Virtuous b) Corrupt c) Atrocious d) Vicious e) Nefarious
Explanation: Righteous means morally right or good.
Ex: He considered himself as holy and righteous person.
Ans: a
12. Expedient (Adjective)
a) Inadvisable b) Convenient c) Imprudent d) Tactless e) Brash
Explanation: Expedient is an adjective refersto an action that has done for a particular purpose, but it may not always fair.
Ex: The government has decided that a cut in interest rates would be politically expedient.
Ans: b
13. Disparate (Adjective)
a) Analogous b) Akin c) Distinct d) Identical e) Homogeneous
Explanation: Disparate refers to people or things that are very different from each other.
Ex: All my room-mates are a disparate group of individuals.
Ans: c
14. Moratorium (Noun)
a) Renewal b) Resuscitation c) Resumption d) Suspension e) Continuation
Explanation: Moratorium a temporary stoppage of an activity, especially by official agreement.
Ex: The government has called for a moratorium on bank loans due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Ans: d
15. Thrive (Verb)
a) Fail b) Collapse c) Struggle d) Flounder e) Flourish
Explanation: Thrive means to become and continue to be successful at anything.
Ex: New businesses thrive in Ameerpet area.
Ans: e
16. Subversive (Noun)
a) Provocative b) Conservative c) Moderate d) Conventional e) Orthodox
Explanation: Subversive is a trying to destroy or damage a government or political system by attacking it secretly or indirectly.
Ex: He was a very well-known political subversive in my hometown.
Ans: a
17. Captivate (Verb)
a) Disgust b) Allure c) Offend d) Annoy e) Repel
Explanation: Captivate means to keep somebody’s attention by being interesting or attractive.
Ex: The children were captivated by the ghost stories.
Ans: b
18. Buttress (Verb)
a) Weaken b) Prostrate c) Support d) devitalize e) Cripple
Explanation: Buttress is a structure made of stone or brick that supports a wall.
Ex: It was necessary to strengthen the building with large external buttresses.
Ans: c
19. Detention (Noun)
a) Relinquishment b) Discharge c) Freedom d) Custody e) Liberation
Explanation: Detention is the state of being kept in a place, especially a prison, and prevented from leaving.
Ex: They were sentenced to one year detention in a bank robbery case.
Ans: d
20. Pertinent (Adjective)
a) Frivolous b) Negligible c) Inappropriate d) Inapt e) Relevant
Explanation: Pertinent refers appropriate to a particular situation.
Ex: "Please keep your comments pertinent to the topic under discussion", Ronaldo said.
Ans: e
21. Defiance (Noun)
a) Disobedience b) Submission c) Compliance d) Acceptance e) Approval
Explanation: Defiance is the act of openly refusing to obey somebody or something.
Ex: North Korea resumed nuclear testing in defiance of an international ban.
Ans: a
22. Dissemination (Noun)
a) Suppression b) Propagation c) constraint d) Inhibition e) Refrainment
Explanation: Dissemination is the act of spreading information or knowledge so that it reaches many people.
Ex: The internet's role in the dissemination of knowledge is very huge.
Ans: b
23. Jeopardize (Verb)
a) Safeguard b) Protect c) Threaten d) Preserve e) Shield
Explanation: Jeopardize means to threaten something or somebody to harm or destroy.
Ex: This scandal could seriously jeopardize his chances of being re-elected as prime minister.
Ans: c
24. Lucrative (Adjective)
a) Abortive b) Bootless c) Futile d) Profitable e) Barren
Explanation: Lucrative means making huge profits.
Ex: If my plan was worked out, I would have made my company lucrative.
Ans: d
25. Tranquillity (Noun)
a) Turmoil b) Pandemonium c) Bustle d) Commotion e) Peace
Explanation: Tranquillity is the state of being quiet or peaceful.
Ex: I found tranquillity in the Birla temple.
Ans: e
26. Inevitable (Adjective)
a) Unavoidable b) Dubious c) Shaky d) Uncertain e) Improbable
Explanation: Inevitable is an adjective to express something that you cannot avoid or prevent.
Ex: It was inevitable that there would be job losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ans: a
27. Abrogate (Verb)
a) Institute b) Abolish c) Enact d) Validate e) Endorse
Explanation: Abrogate something means to officially end a law or an agreement.
Ex: The law has been abrogated because of the agitations.
Ans: b
28. Insular (Adjective)
a) Tolerant b) Receptive c) Narrow-minded d) Liberal e) Catholic
Explanation: Insular is an adjective used to express narrow-minded ideology of people, government etc.
Ex: The government often accused of being insular.
Ans: c
