English Language

Vocabulary and Synonyms

18,261 Questions

Vocabulary and synonyms are essential components of English language sections across competitive exams. This topic tests word associations, context meanings, and precise vocabulary skills. Regular practice helps test takers score higher in SSC, banking, and railway recruitment tests.

Finding exact synonymsWord substitutionVocabulary in contextAssociated word groups

Vocabulary and Synonyms Questions

Multiple choice softskills leadership

dolorous

  1. sorrowful

  2. that which accompanies

  3. protruding part

  4. very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Dolorous means sorrowful or full of grief and sadness. It comes from the Latin root 'dolor' (pain), which you might recognize from Spanish. A dolorous expression shows deep sadness or pain. The other options (accompanying, protruding part, wood shaving) are unrelated to this emotional term.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

dolt

  1. slow-thinking stupid person

  2. harmony

  3. size or volume (esp. when very large)

  4. bundle of stalks of grain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Multiple choice softskills leadership

domineer

  1. rule over tyrannically

  2. (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air

  3. hit or knock against with force

  4. pure
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Domineer means to rule over or control others in a tyrannical, arrogant way. Option A correctly captures this meaning of exercising oppressive authority over people or situations. The other options represent completely different concepts (courteous behavior, physical force, or moral purity).

Multiple choice softskills leadership

doom

  1. condemnation to a severe penalty

  2. seasonings

  3. able to float

  4. change position or place
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Doom refers to condemnation to a severe punishment or inevitable negative fate. Option A correctly captures this meaning of being sentenced to a serious penalty. The other options are unrelated concepts - seasonings are food additives, float is a physical property, and changing position is movement.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

dossier

  1. file of documents on a subject or person

  2. aqueduct

  3. make shiny by rubbing

  4. new growth from a plant
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A dossier is a collection of documents containing detailed information on a particular subject or person. Option A correctly defines this term. An aqueduct is a water channel, making shiny by rubbing is polishing, and new plant growth is a shoot.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

dotage

  1. senility

  2. trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)

  3. piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest

  4. push forward
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Dotage refers to the state of mental decline associated with old age, especially senility. Option A correctly defines this term. A trusted friend is a confidant, a bust is a sculpture, and pushing forward is propelling.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

dote

  1. be excessively fond of

  2. tell in confidence (to a person one trusts)

  3. support

  4. scolding woman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To dote means to show excessive fondness or love, often toward someone younger or vulnerable. Option A correctly captures this meaning. Telling in confidence is confiding, support is backing, and a scolding woman is a shrew.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

dour

  1. sullen

  2. self-assurance

  3. full-bosomed

  4. clever
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Dour describes a gloomy, stern, sullen manner or appearance. Option A correctly matches this adjective meaning. Self-assurance is confidence, full-bosomed refers to body shape, and clever means intelligent.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

douse

  1. plunge into water or liquid

  2. spoken or written in secret

  3. small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests

  4. make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To douse means to plunge something into liquid or pour liquid over it, especially to extinguish fire. Option A correctly defines this action. Secret speech is sotto voce, a secret group is a cabal, and shriveling is withering.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

dowdy

  1. untidy (of a woman or clothes)

  2. shut in an enclosed space

  3. hiding place

  4. shake uncontrollably
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Dowdy means unfashionable, shabby, or untidy in appearance, especially regarding a woman or her clothes. Option A correctly defines this adjective. Shutting in is enclosing, a hiding place is a lair, and shaking uncontrollably is shuddering.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

downcast

  1. disheartened

  2. seize

  3. discordant

  4. mix together
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Downcast means sad, discouraged, or looking downward in dejection. Disheartened captures this sense of losing hope or spirit. The other options are completely unrelated meanings.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

doze

  1. sleep lightly

  2. person who uncritically conforms to the customs of a group

  3. rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds)

  4. lawyer using questionable methods
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Doze means to sleep lightly or take a short, light sleep. It refers to a brief, drowsy sleep rather than deep, restful sleep. The other options are unrelated words with entirely different meanings.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

drab

  1. dull

  2. harmony

  3. student at a military school

  4. brother or sister
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Drab means dull, lacking color, cheerlessness, or lacking brightness. It describes something uninteresting or gloomy in appearance. The other options are unrelated terms.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

draconian

  1. extremely severe

  2. confuse

  3. persuade by praise or false promise

  4. prophetic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Draconian means extremely harsh, severe, or rigorous. It comes from Draco, an Athenian lawgiver known for his severe legal code. The other options describe different concepts.

Multiple choice softskills leadership

draught

  1. current of air (through a room or to a fire)

  2. ability

  3. final

  4. expressing a meaning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Draught (also spelled draft) means a current of air, especially in a room or toward a fire. It refers to airflow or ventilation. The other options describe completely different concepts.