ANTONYMS AND SYNONYMS --- Use of Different words as Synonyms & Antonyms

SYNONYMS :

A Synonym is a word which has the same or nearly the same meaning which the word has.

Just as Hardworking,  Industrious and diligent are similar in their meanings 'Fragile' 'weak' and 'feeble' also have nearly the same meaning.

An Antonym is a word which has the opposite or nearly the opposite  meaning of a word.

Just as 'beautiful' has the word 'Ugly' which is opposite in meaning to it.  'Ignoble'  is opposite in meaning to 'Noble'.

   

In examination there are questions with a word followed by four or five options which include correct antonym or synonym of it. The candidates are asked to select and mark the correct option. Here are some examples of such questions for practice.


A good vocabulary of different words is required to attempt these questions. For this reading of good books magazines newspapers or speeches etc is very helpful. One can evolve one's own method of learning words but one thing is essential that repeated reading different words makes it possible to go these words deep in one's memory. From different sentences one can learn varied uses of a word.

Exercise No. 1.           

From the given options select and mark the word which is the closest to meaning of the word in bold letters.

1. Augment

A. To Search   B. To Enhance  C. To Prepare D. To involve E. To evaluate

 2.  Allure     

A. Fascinate  B. Disappear  C. Depend  D. Bemuse  E.Flatter            

                                                                                                 

3. Admonish

A. Praise   B. Approach  C. Reprimand  D. Reduce  E. Attract

4. Alleviate

A. Lessen  B. Aggravate  C. Raise D. Move forward  E. Contemplate

5. Assuage

A. Criticise  B. Punish  C. Suspect  D. Implicate  E. Reduce

6. Adroit

A. Skillful   B. Novice  C. Incompetent  D. Immature E. Virtuous

7. Abominate

A. Belittle  B Eulogize  C. Deceive D. Hate  E. Assure

8. Aversion

A. Hatred   B. Attraction  C. Dependence  D. Assertion  E. Impurity

9. Affluent

A. Effective  B. Prosperous  C. Influential  D. Destitute E. Frequent

10. Agile 

A. Hostile  B. Weak  C. Alert  D. Humble  E. Capable

Answers : 1.B   2. A   3. C   4.A   5. E   6. A   7.D  8.A   9.B   10.C

Exercise No. 2.           

From the given options select and mark the word which is the closest to meaning of the word in bold letters.

1. Bourgeois

A. Glorious B. Prosperous C. Conventional D.Moderate E. Happy

2. Bigotry 

A. Appreciation  B. Prejudice  C.  Acceptance  D. Dependence  E. Hostility 

3. Boisterous 

A. Energetic  B. Noisy C. Treacherous D. Hospitable E. Showy

4.  Beckon

A. Dependence B. Offer  C. Declare D. Call  by gesture E. Appear

5. Bruise

A. Damage B. Sparkle C. Chaste D. Pious E. Grouse 

6. Blasphemy 

A. Gloomy B. Sacrilege  C. Doctrine D. Faith E. Purity

7.  Blithe

A. Prosper  B. Vital  C. Reveal  D. Merry E. Base                           

8. Buoyant

A. Courageous B. Sturdy C.Cheerful D. Bright E. Braggart 

9. Barge

A. Boast B. Betray C. Oppose D.Push Forward E. Protect

10. Beguile

A. Waste  B. Appreciate C. Insult D.Conceal E. Fascinate

Answers : 1. C  2. B. 3. A  4. D 5. A 6. B 7. D 8. C 9.D  10. E

Exercise No. 3.           

From the given options select and mark the word which is the closest to meaning of the word in bold letters.

1.Clandestine

A. Chaste B. Secret C. Durable D. Stout E.Intelligent

2. Contemptuous

 A. Scornful  B. Complicated C.Durable  D. Powerful E. Contrary. 

3. Chimerical 

A. Bright B. Wonderful C. Imaginary D. Illusive E. Economical

4. Clemency 

A. Harsh B. Modesty C. Honesty D. Mercy E.Piety  

5. Capricious 

A.Avaricious B.Attractive C. Impulsive  D.Complex  E. Generous

6.  Candid 

A. Sweet B. Joyful C. Foul D.Frank E. Mighty

7. Calumny 

A. Callous   B. Constant   C. Violent   D. Slander   E. Clumsy

8. Coercion

A.  Force   B Attraction   C. Influence  D. Liberation   E. Despair

9. Celestial

A. Global  B. Essential  C.Heavenly D. Flagrant  E. Malicious

10. Cogitate

A. Irritate B. Cooperate C. Agitate D. Deliberate E. Protest

Answers : 1. B  2. A. 3. C  4.D 5.C  6.D 7.D  8 .A 9.C  10. D

Exercise No. 4.           

From the given options select and mark the word which is the closest to meaning of the word in bold letters.

1.Delinquent

A.   Prompt  B. Appropriate C. Guilty D. Careless E. Rejoicing

2. Deference

A. Respectfulness  B Ignorance C. Fulfillment D. Arrogance  E.Commitment 

3. Dastard

A. Brave B. Diligent C. Accused D. Coward E.Halt

4. Debility

A. Strength  B. Weakness C Inability D.Growth E Prosperity. 

5. Derision

A. Verdict B. Approval C. Ridicule D. Shabby E.Permission

6. Eerie :

A. Lovely B. Weird C. Clumsy D. Fast E. Glorious

7. Efficacious :

A.Efficient B. Illustrious C. Effective D. Pompous E. Tricky 

8. Egregious :

A.  Collective B. Huge  C. Notorious D. Depleted E. Malicious

9. Erudite:

A. Familiar B. Prudent C. Prestigious D.Cultured E. Exposed

10. Expiate :

A. Apologize B. Spend C.Extricate D. Dreadful E. Sullen  

Answers : 1. C 2.A 3.D 4.B 5.C6.B7.A  8.C 9.D 10.A




(In examination there is a question relating to antonyms and synonyms in the form of a group of words and out of these words candidates are asked to point out an odd word which has a different meaning to others'.).

Exercise No. 5.           

From the given words select and mark the word which does not belong to the group. In  case all the words are related mark answer 5.

1.  A.  Abhor   B. Malign  C. Detest  D.Despise.

2. A. Obstinate   B.  Obdurate  C. Weird  D. Stubborn. 

3. A. Blasphemy B. Sacrilege  C.Terse   D   Profanity.

4.  A. Candid  B. Honest  C. Sharp  D. Truthful .

5. A. Absolve  B. Coax  C. Exonerate D. Pardon. 

6. A. Proficient  B. Bonafide  C. Effective  D. Efficient.

7. A. Chide   B. Reprimand  C. Admonish  D. Brag.

8.  A. Weird  B. Callous  C. Bizarre  D.Eerie.

9.  A. Scintillate  B. Glisten C. Glitter D. Blink.

10.  A. Swindle  B. Dodge  C. Allure  D. Fiddle.

 

 (Continued in next post )

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