Synonyms & Antonyms

Word meanings and opposites.

45 solved questions · 15 easy · 20 medium · 10 hard

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Shortcuts & formulas

  • Read the question carefully: synonym means SAME meaning, antonym means OPPOSITE.
  • Use the word in a sentence of your own, then try each option in its place.
  • Break the word: prefixes (un-, dis-, in-, mal-) often show negative sense; benevolent vs malevolent (bene = good, mal = bad).
  • Eliminate options that are clearly the opposite when asked for a synonym, since examiners include them as traps.
  • Learn word families together: loquacious/garrulous/talkative vs taciturn/reticent/reserved.
  • If unsure, think whether the word feels positive or negative and keep only options of the matching tone.

Solved examples

Try each one first, then open the answer and the step-by-step solution.

Easy questions

Q1.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: ACCEPT

  1. Aagree
  2. Breject
  3. Creceive
  4. Dallow
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. reject

Solution

Accept means to take willingly; the opposite is reject. The other options are similar to or unrelated to accept, not opposite. Answer: reject

Q2.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: GENEROUS

  1. Akind
  2. Bstingy
  3. Cwealthy
  4. Dhumble
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. stingy

Solution

Generous means willing to give; the opposite is stingy. The other options are similar to or unrelated to generous, not opposite. Answer: stingy

Q3.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: EXPAND

  1. Aextend
  2. Benlarge
  3. Ccontract
  4. Dstretch
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. contract

Solution

Expand means to grow bigger; the opposite is contract. The other options are similar to or unrelated to expand, not opposite. Answer: contract

Q4.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: PERMANENT

  1. Alasting
  2. Bfixed
  3. Ctemporary
  4. Dstable
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. temporary

Solution

Permanent means lasting for ever; the opposite is temporary. The other options are similar to or unrelated to permanent, not opposite. Answer: temporary

Q5.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: VICTORY

  1. Adefeat
  2. Btriumph
  3. Cbattle
  4. Dstruggle
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. defeat

Solution

Victory means winning; the opposite is defeat. The other options are similar to or unrelated to victory, not opposite. Answer: defeat

Q6.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: SILENT

  1. Aquiet
  2. Bnoisy
  3. Cangry
  4. Dempty
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. quiet

Solution

Silent means making no sound. Quiet is closest in meaning to silent. The other options mean something different. Answer: quiet

Q7.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: ASSIST

  1. Ahinder
  2. Bhelp
  3. Cignore
  4. Dpraise
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. help

Solution

Assist means to help. Help is closest in meaning to assist. The other options mean something different. Answer: help

Q8.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: ANGRY

  1. Afurious
  2. Bcheerful
  3. Cnervous
  4. Dpolite
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. furious

Solution

Furious means extremely angry. Furious is closest in meaning to angry. The other options mean something different. Answer: furious

Q9.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: PRETTY

  1. Augly
  2. Bclever
  3. Cordinary
  4. Dbeautiful
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. beautiful

Solution

Pretty means pleasing to look at. Beautiful is closest in meaning to pretty. The other options mean something different. Answer: beautiful

Q10.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: RAPID

  1. Agentle
  2. Bswift
  3. Crough
  4. Dsteady
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. swift

Solution

Rapid means very quick. Swift is closest in meaning to rapid. The other options mean something different. Answer: swift

Q11.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: ANCIENT

  1. Aantique
  2. Bmodern
  3. Chistoric
  4. Druined
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. modern

Solution

Ancient means very old; the opposite is modern. The other options are similar to or unrelated to ancient, not opposite. Answer: modern

Q12.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: WEARY

  1. Aeager
  2. Bhungry
  3. Ctired
  4. Danxious
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. tired

Solution

Weary means worn out. Tired is closest in meaning to weary. The other options mean something different. Answer: tired

Q13.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: COSTLY

  1. Aexpensive
  2. Bcheap
  3. Crare
  4. Duseful
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. expensive

Solution

Costly means high in price. Expensive is closest in meaning to costly. The other options mean something different. Answer: expensive

Q14.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: ARRIVE

  1. Areach
  2. Benter
  3. Cdepart
  4. Dreturn
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. depart

Solution

Arrive means to reach a place; the opposite is depart. The other options are similar to or unrelated to arrive, not opposite. Answer: depart

Q15.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: BEGIN

  1. Aconclude
  2. Bdelay
  3. Crepeat
  4. Dcommence
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. commence

Solution

Begin and commence both mean to start. Commence is closest in meaning to begin. The other options mean something different. Answer: commence

Medium questions

Q16.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: CANDID

  1. Afrank
  2. Bsecretive
  3. Cpolite
  4. Dcautious
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. frank

Solution

Candid means open and honest. Frank is closest in meaning to candid. The other options mean something different. Answer: frank

Q17.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: RELUCTANT

  1. Aeager
  2. Bgrateful
  3. Cunwilling
  4. Dquick
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. unwilling

Solution

Reluctant means not willing to do something. Unwilling is closest in meaning to reluctant. The other options mean something different. Answer: unwilling

Q18.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: BENEVOLENT

  1. Agenerous
  2. Bmalevolent
  3. Ccharitable
  4. Dwealthy
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. malevolent

Solution

Benevolent means wishing good to others; the opposite is malevolent. The other options are similar to or unrelated to benevolent, not opposite. Answer: malevolent

Q19.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: TRANSPARENT

  1. Aclear
  2. Bopaque
  3. Cthin
  4. Dglossy
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. opaque

Solution

Transparent means see-through; the opposite is opaque. The other options are similar to or unrelated to transparent, not opposite. Answer: opaque

Q20.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: VERBOSE

  1. Awordy
  2. Btalkative
  3. Cconcise
  4. Dfluent
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. concise

Solution

Verbose means using too many words; the opposite is concise. The other options are similar to or unrelated to verbose, not opposite. Answer: concise

Q21.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: HOSTILE

  1. Apeaceful
  2. Bwelcoming
  3. Charmless
  4. Dunfriendly
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. unfriendly

Solution

Hostile means showing opposition or enmity. Unfriendly is closest in meaning to hostile. The other options mean something different. Answer: unfriendly

Q22.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: OPTIMISTIC

  1. Ahopeful
  2. Bcheerful
  3. Crealistic
  4. Dpessimistic
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. pessimistic

Solution

Optimistic means expecting good things; the opposite is pessimistic. The other options are similar to or unrelated to optimistic, not opposite. Answer: pessimistic

Q23.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: ABUNDANT

  1. Alimited
  2. Bplentiful
  3. Crare
  4. Dcostly
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. plentiful

Solution

Abundant means existing in large quantity. Plentiful is closest in meaning to abundant. The other options mean something different. Answer: plentiful

Q24.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: FRUGAL

  1. Awasteful
  2. Bgenerous
  3. Cthrifty
  4. Dwealthy
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. thrifty

Solution

Frugal means careful with money. Thrifty is closest in meaning to frugal. The other options mean something different. Answer: thrifty

Q25.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: VAGUE

  1. Aunclear
  2. Bbrief
  3. Cprecise
  4. Dgeneral
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. precise

Solution

Vague means not clear; the opposite is precise. The other options are similar to or unrelated to vague, not opposite. Answer: precise

Q26.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: HASTY

  1. Acautious
  2. Bquick
  3. Crushed
  4. Dcareless
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. cautious

Solution

Hasty means done with great speed and little thought; the opposite is cautious. The other options are similar to or unrelated to hasty, not opposite. Answer: cautious

Q27.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: FRAGILE

  1. Asturdy
  2. Bdelicate
  3. Cheavy
  4. Drough
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. delicate

Solution

Fragile means easily broken. Delicate is closest in meaning to fragile. The other options mean something different. Answer: delicate

Q28.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: OBSCURE

  1. Afamous
  2. Bobvious
  3. Cunclear
  4. Dancient
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. unclear

Solution

Obscure means not clear or not well known. Unclear is closest in meaning to obscure. The other options mean something different. Answer: unclear

Q29.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: LENIENT

  1. Amild
  2. Bkind
  3. Ctolerant
  4. Dstrict
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. strict

Solution

Lenient means not harsh in punishing; the opposite is strict. The other options are similar to or unrelated to lenient, not opposite. Answer: strict

Q30.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: SCARCE

  1. Aplentiful
  2. Brare
  3. Climited
  4. Dprecious
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. plentiful

Solution

Scarce means in short supply; the opposite is plentiful. The other options are similar to or unrelated to scarce, not opposite. Answer: plentiful

Q31.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: DILIGENT

  1. Acareless
  2. Btalented
  3. Ccheerful
  4. Dhardworking
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. hardworking

Solution

Diligent means showing steady, careful effort. Hardworking is closest in meaning to diligent. The other options mean something different. Answer: hardworking

Q32.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: METICULOUS

  1. Acasual
  2. Bcareful
  3. Cquick
  4. Dbold
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. careful

Solution

Meticulous means very careful about details. Careful is closest in meaning to meticulous. The other options mean something different. Answer: careful

Q33.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: HUMBLE

  1. Aarrogant
  2. Bmodest
  3. Cshy
  4. Dpolite
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. arrogant

Solution

Humble means not proud; the opposite is arrogant. The other options are similar to or unrelated to humble, not opposite. Answer: arrogant

Q34.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: RIGID

  1. Asoft
  2. Bloose
  3. Cfragile
  4. Dinflexible
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. inflexible

Solution

Rigid means stiff, not able to bend or change. Inflexible is closest in meaning to rigid. The other options mean something different. Answer: inflexible

Q35.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: FLOURISH

  1. Adecline
  2. Bthrive
  3. Cbloom
  4. Dprosper
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. decline

Solution

Flourish means to grow well; the opposite is decline. The other options are similar to or unrelated to flourish, not opposite. Answer: decline

Hard questions

Q36.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: OSTENTATIOUS

  1. Alavish
  2. Bflamboyant
  3. Cproud
  4. Dmodest
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. modest

Solution

Ostentatious means showy; the opposite is modest. The other options are similar to or unrelated to ostentatious, not opposite. Answer: modest

Q37.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: BENIGN

  1. Amalignant
  2. Bharmless
  3. Cgentle
  4. Dmild
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. malignant

Solution

Benign means gentle or not harmful; the opposite is malignant. The other options are similar to or unrelated to benign, not opposite. Answer: malignant

Q38.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: OBSEQUIOUS

  1. Arebellious
  2. Barrogant
  3. Cboastful
  4. Dservile
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. servile

Solution

Obsequious means excessively eager to please or obey. Servile is closest in meaning to obsequious. The other options mean something different. Answer: servile

Q39.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: MAGNANIMOUS

  1. Apetty
  2. Bgenerous
  3. Cnoble
  4. Dtimid
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. petty

Solution

Magnanimous means generous and forgiving; the opposite is petty. The other options are similar to or unrelated to magnanimous, not opposite. Answer: petty

Q40.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: UBIQUITOUS

  1. Arare
  2. Bancient
  3. Cnotorious
  4. Domnipresent
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. omnipresent

Solution

Ubiquitous means found everywhere. Omnipresent is closest in meaning to ubiquitous. The other options mean something different. Answer: omnipresent

Q41.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: PRAGMATIC

  1. Aidealistic
  2. Bdogmatic
  3. Cpractical
  4. Dcynical
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. practical

Solution

Pragmatic means dealing with things sensibly and realistically. Practical is closest in meaning to pragmatic. The other options mean something different. Answer: practical

Q42.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: ZENITH

  1. Anadir
  2. Bpeak
  3. Chorizon
  4. Dsummit
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. nadir

Solution

Zenith is the highest point; the opposite is nadir, the lowest point. The other options are similar to or unrelated to zenith, not opposite. Answer: nadir

Q43.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: EPHEMERAL

  1. Aeternal
  2. Bfragile
  3. Cfragrant
  4. Dfleeting
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. fleeting

Solution

Ephemeral means lasting a very short time. Fleeting is closest in meaning to ephemeral. The other options mean something different. Answer: fleeting

Q44.

Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to: LOQUACIOUS

  1. Agarrulous
  2. Btaciturn
  3. Celoquent
  4. Dboisterous
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. taciturn

Solution

Loquacious means very talkative; the opposite is taciturn (saying little). The other options are similar to or unrelated to loquacious, not opposite. Answer: taciturn

Q45.

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to: LACONIC

  1. Atalkative
  2. Bhumorous
  3. Cconcise
  4. Dsullen
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. concise

Solution

Laconic means using very few words. Concise is closest in meaning to laconic. The other options mean something different. Answer: concise

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