Campus Recruitment – Verbal Ability – Synonyms

Campus Recruitment – Verbal Ability – Synonyms

Synonyms

A synonym is a word or expression accepted as a figurative or a symbolic substitute for another word or expression. It has the same or almost the same meaning as that of another word in the same language.

English heing the language with the largest number of words, it has many synonyms. A strong grasp of words, their synonyms (meanings) and antonyms (opposites) goes a long way towards enhancing your ability to comprehend and express clearly
e.g.: The words see, look, view, watch, glance etc more or less have the same meaning so they are synonyms.
They may however differ slightly in degree of abstraction.

Type: 1

1. Agenda

a) Assignment
b) Schedule
c) Correction
d) Annexure

Explanation: Agenda means organized plan for matters to be attended to during a meeting. In this context, schedule is nearest in meaning though it isn’t a clear meaning of agenda. So option-1 is correct choice.

2. Effort .

a) Attempt
b) Create
c) Wonder
d) Overtake

Explanation: Effort is an action intended to do or accomplish something. So option-a is correct.

Type: 2

Four pairs of words are given below. Each pair consists of two words which have more or less similar meaning. Find the pair which have opposite meanings.

1. a. Induce/ Coax
b. Fatal/ Deadly
c. Disparate/ Alike
d. Abettor/ Thief

Explanation: Except option-c, all other pair of words have more or less similar meaning. Hence, option-c is correct choice.

2. a. Authentic/ Genuine
b. Genius/ Aptitude
c. Ghastly/ Pretty
d. Gruesome/ Grim

Explanation: Ghastly means horrifying and pretty means attractive. Hence, option-c is correct choice.

Type: 3

Find the appropriate synonym of the word in bold in the below sentence.

1. He changed his statement so many times that entire his message became ambiguous.

a) clear
b) impressive
c) unimpressive
d) unclear

The correct answer is (d) unclear.

2. There was crazy pandemonium as people were trying to leave the rock concert.

a) Silence
b) craziness
c) chaos
d) order

The correct answer is (c) chaos.

Exercise -I

In each of the sentences, one word is given in bold and four options are given. Select the word or phrase nearest in meaning to the word given in bold.

1. The engineers subjected the engine to exhaustive tests.

a) Complicated
b) Thorough
c) Exclusive
d) Compulsory

Explanation: Exhaustive means thorough, complete or in-depth. Hence, option-b is synonym of exhaustive.

2. The inspector was a vigilant man.

a) Intelligent
b) Ambitious
c) Watchful
d) Smart

Explanation: The root word ‘vigi’ means watchful, wakeful or alert. For example, vigilant, invigilation, surveillance, reveille etc. Vigilant means careful or watchful. Hence, option-c is correct choice.

3. The Professor is one of the most erudite in our college.

a) Boring
b) Pleasant
c) Learned
d) Demanding

Explanation: Erudite means well educated or cultured. Learned is the synonym of erudite.

4. The world leader are trying to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

a) Use
b) Increase
c) Expansion
d) Extension

Explanation: Proliferation means rapid increase.
Option-b is the best suitable synonym for proliferation than option-c and d.

5. The tribunal’s order may finally nudge the two warring groups to come to an amicable solution.

a) Just
b) Appropriate
c) Durable
d) Friendly

Explanation: The prefix ‘am’ generally denotes friendly, casual or lovable. For example, amiable, amateur, amicable etc. Amicable means friendly, peaceful, polite etc. Hence, option-d is correct choice. Durable means long-lasting or strong.

6. The poor old man seems famished.

a) Exhausted
b) Peevish
c) Hungry
d) Relaxed

Explanation: Famished means being extremely hungry. For example, ‘After such a long walk in the mountains, they were tired and famished for food and sleep’.

7. The police is carrying out the enquiry as expeditiously as possible.

a) Speedily
b) Fairly
c) Timely
d) Justly

Explanation: Expeditiously means in an efficient manner or acting with speed. Hence, option-a is correct.

8. He received accolades for his work.

a) Greeting
b) Reprimand
c) Criticism
d) Award

Explanation: Accolade means strong praise or recognition of achievement. Hence, the suitable synonym is award. Reprimand and criticism are antonyms of accolade.

9. She is parsimonious by nature.

a) Cruel
b) Haughty
c) Miserly
d) Spendthrift

Explanation: Parsimonious means one who is unwilling to spend money. Spendthrift is the one who spends money carelessly. Cruel and haughty are irrelevant in the present context. Miserly means greedy. Therefore, option-c is the synonym of parsimonious.

10. The Principal reprimanded the students for their behavior. 

a) Praise
b) Rebuke
c) Punish
d) Reward

Explanation: Reprimand means to criticize or express disapproval. Rebuke also means harsh criticism. But praise and reward are antonyms of reprimand. Punish means to penalize or to handle severely or roughly. For example, ’criminal acts would be punished by up to ten years in prison’. So, punish is not an appropriate synonym of reprimand. Hence, option-b is correct.

11. The player score 80 in his maiden performance

a) Fresh
b) Primary
c) Girlish
d) First

Explanation: Maiden means first or earliest.

12. There were intermittent showers yesterday

a) Prolonged
b) Sporadic
c) Incoherent
d) Intervening

Explanation: Intermittent means occurring at regular
intervals. Sporadic also means the same.

13. The veracity of his statements should be checked

a) Misery
b) Reliability
c) Truthfulness
d) Wisdom

Explanation: The root word ’ver’ denotes truth, real etc. For example, verify, veracious, veracity, verdict etc. Hence, option-c is correct.

14. He runs a lucrative business after office hours

a) Challenging
b) Dangerous
c) Profitable
d) Questionable

Explanation: Lucrative means profitable or remunerative.

15. To succeed in an endeavour one needs a lot of luck,

a) Plan
b) Enterprise
c) Tick
d) Effort

Explanation: Endeavour means an attempt to achieve a goal. So, option-d is correct.

16. We should emulate our freedom fighters.

a) Study
b) Admire
c) Follow
d) Imitate

Explanation: Emulating means copying or imitating.

17. These concepts are obsolete.

a) Boring
b) Unfashionable
c) Unwanted
d) Outdated

Explanation: Obsolete means no longer in use. So, outdated is the synonym.

18. The District Collector apprised the minister of the situation.

a) Informed
b) Issued
c) Assessed
d) Summoned

Explanation: Apprise means to give information to someone or to inform. Hence, the correct synonym is option-a. Apprise and Appraise are two different words. Appraise means to judge, estimate or assess (option -c).

19. The minister made the announcement with aploi

a) Arrogance
b) Poise
c) Annoyance
d) Authority

Explanation: Aplomb means self confidence or composure. Poise means self-composure or dignity.

20. The actress’ charisma has got her many fans

a) Power
b) Humility
c) Candour
d) Magnetic appeal

Explanation: Charisma means great personal appeal. Hence, option-d is correct.

21. This address given by the applicant is fictitious

a) Correct
b) Rural
c) Fake
d) Wrong

Explanation: Fictitious means not real or imaginary. Synonym is fake, false etc.

22. The impromptu speech given by the P.M was well received.

a) Important
b) Inspiring
c) Impressive
d) Off hand

Explanation: Impromptu means unprepared. Option-d ! off-hand means without previous thought.

23. The girl showed exemplary courage in chasing the burglars.

a) Clear
b) Suitable
c) Admirable
d) Elementary

Explanation: Exemplary means ideal or admirable.

24. That was a momentous occasion for all of us.

a) Memorable
b) Important
c) Hectic
d) Momentary

Explanation: Momentous means of great importance. Hence, option-b is correct choice. Momentary and momentous are different words. Momentary means lasting for only a moment.

25. The opposing parties have reached a stalemate

a) Dilemma
b) exhaustion
c) settlement
d) deadlock

Explanation: Stalemate means a position in which no action can be taken. Deadlock is synonym of stalemate.

Exrecise II

For each question given below, four choices are given. Select the word that is closest in meaning to the question word:

1. Acumen

a) Bitterness
b) Friendship
c) Insight
d) Accuracy

2. Amiable

a) Amicable
b) pale
c) Bountiful
d) generous

3. Philanthropic

a)Ignorant
b) generous
c) Curious
d) uncultivated

4. Antidote

a) Hatred
b) Poison
c) Hostility
d) Remedy

5. Panacea

a) Remedy
b) obstacle
c) Advantage
d) landscape

6. Genocide

a) Technique
b) cheerfulness
c) Abstraction
d) massacre

7. Euphoria

a) Assessment
b) opulence
c) Articulation
d) elation

8. Progeny

a) Prophecy
b) Offspring
c) Ancestor
d) Forbear

9) Eloquent

a) Verbose
b) Didactic
c) Inarticulate
d) Fluent

10. Majestic

a) Immaculate
b) Stately
c) Modest
d) Spectacular

11. Malignant

a) Harmful
b) Inept
c) Beneficial
d) Atrociuos

12. Expatriate

a) Affectionate
b) Emigrant
c) Loyalist
d) Aristocratic

13. Protocol

a) Model
b) Agreement
c) Promise
d) Procedure

14. Complacent

a) Contented
b) Quarrelsome
c) Worried
d) Anxious

15. Cacophonous

a) Melodious
b) Musical
c) Pleasant
d) Dissonant

16. Consecrate

a) Sanctify
b) Approve
c) Surrender
d) Punish

17. Disseminate

a) Dispatch
b) Spread
c) Conquer
d) Disparage

18. Consensus

a) Coherence
b) Blasphemy
c) Consequence
d) Agreement

19. Sophisticated

a) Hypnotic
b) Insolent
c) Cultivated
d) Vivacious

20. Derision

a) Contempt
b) Encouragement
c) Sanctity
d) Submission

21. Proscribe

a) Prescribe
b) Transcribe
c) Forbid
d) Immure

22. Indolent

a) Vapid
b) Lazy
c) Insolent
d) Immobile

23. Metamorphosis

a) Transcription
b) Incarceration
c) Arbitration
d) Transformation

24. Annihilation

a) Distribution
b) Restriction
c) Obstruction
d) Obliteration

25. Assiduous

a) Adamant
b) Industrious
c) Active
d) Audacious