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 communication

Rat race

  1. ruthless, competitive struggle for success

  2. red-carpet treatment

  3. something special happens

  4. something is reduced
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The 'rat race' refers to the fierce, exhausting competition for success, wealth, or status in modern urban life - like rats racing frantically in a maze. Options B, C, and D are unrelated idioms or meanings.

Multiple choice softskills communication

Nervous Nellie

  1. people get down to the nitty

  2. new lease of life

  3. excessively worried or apprehensive

  4. like the thorns on the stem
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A 'Nervous Nellie' is someone who is excessively worried or apprehensive, often to the point of irrational fearfulness. Options A and B are unrelated phrases, and D is not the correct meaning.

Multiple choice softskills communication

senile

  1. Pertaining to old age

  2. severe

  3. sober

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

Senile means relating to the physical and mental deterioration associated with old age, particularly cognitive decline. Options B, C, and D are unrelated meanings.

Multiple choice softskills communication

prospect

  1. a possibility

  2. a doctrine

  3. very old

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

A prospect is a possibility or likelihood of something happening in the future - an anticipation or potential for development. Options B, C, and D are incorrect meanings.

Multiple choice softskills communication

oblivion

  1. omnipresent

  2. a place filled with peace

  3. supernatural

  4. act of forgetting
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Oblivion refers to the state of being forgotten or unknown, often implying complete erasure from memory or consciousness. Options A, B, and C are incorrect - omnipresent means everywhere, and supernatural means beyond natural laws.

Multiple choice softskills communication

adage

  1. saying or a proverb

  2. old age

  3. a practice

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

An adage is a traditional saying or proverb that expresses a general truth or piece of wisdom - like 'Actions speak louder than words.' Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

Multiple choice softskills communication

ubiquitous

  1. a simple act

  2. omnipresent

  3. a place for worship

  4. delusional
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ubiquitous means present, appearing, or found everywhere - omnipresent or widespread throughout. Options A, C, and D are incorrect meanings.

Multiple choice softskills communication

antediluvian

  1. a simple act

  2. having no clue/ aimless

  3. out of date;very old

  4. a delusional state
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Antediluvian literally means "before the flood" (referring to the biblical flood), but in common usage it describes something extremely old, outdated, or antiquated. Option C correctly captures this meaning of being very old or out of date. The other options are unrelated distractors.

Multiple choice softskills communication

antithetical

  1. forgiving in nature

  2. persistent

  3. directly opposite

  4. held unwillingly
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Antithetical means directly opposed or contrary to something - being the exact opposite. The prefix "anti-" means against, and "thesis" means a proposition or idea. Option C is correct: antithetical positions are directly opposite to each other. The other options are unrelated.

Multiple choice softskills communication

intransigent

  1. uncompromising

  2. to increase

  3. to join a club or a society

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

Intransigent means unwilling to change one's views or to agree to compromise; stubbornly refusing to modify your position. Option A is correct: uncompromising is a synonym for intransigent. The other options are unrelated.

Multiple choice softskills communication

parachial

  1. narrow in outlook

  2. out of league

  3. to reduce in amount

  4. to flatout an uneven surface
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Parochial means narrow in outlook or scope; limited to a particular area or domain; showing little interest in wider matters. Option A is correct: narrow in outlook. (Note: the word is spelled "parochial" in standard English, not "parachial" as in the question). The other options are unrelated.

Multiple choice softskills communication

NUANCE

  1. A very slight difference in meaning, expression, sound etc

  2. bad-tempered and unreasonable, especially because you cannot do or have what you want

  3. to hold or tie somebody especially by their arms, so that they cannot move

  4. a way of operating or doing something
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Nuance refers to a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound. It's about delicate distinctions that aren't immediately obvious. Option A correctly captures this definition. The other options define unrelated words: petulant (bad-tempered), pinion (restrain), and modus operandi (method of operating).

Multiple choice softskills communication

PETULANT

  1. revel noisily, be uproarious

  2. not highly intellectual or cultured

  3. Bad-tempered and unreasonable, especially because you cannot do or have what you want

  4. to hold or tie somebody especially by their arms, so that they cannot move
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Petulant means bad-tempered, childishly sulky, or unreasonable - typically when frustrated or denied something desired. Option C correctly defines it. The other options are: roister (revel noisily), lowbrow (not intellectual), and pinion (restrain). This tests vocabulary for precise emotional descriptions.

Multiple choice softskills communication

ROISTER

  1. not highly intellectual or cultured

  2. Revel noisily, be uproarious

  3. a way of operating or doing something

  4. to hold or tie somebody especially by their arms, so that they cannot move
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Roister means to revel noisily, enjoy boisterously, or be uproarious in a rowdy way. Option B correctly captures this meaning. The other options define: lowbrow (not intellectual), modus operandi (method), and pinion (restrain). This is a less common vocabulary word testing festive, noisy behavior.

Multiple choice softskills communication

LOWBROW

  1. Not highly intellectual or cultured

  2. a very slight difference in meaning, expression, sound

  3. bad-tempered and unreasonable, especially because you cannot do or have what you want

  4. to hold or tie somebody , so that they cannot move
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lowbrow refers to something not highly intellectual or cultured - often unsophisticated or popular entertainment. Option A correctly defines it. The other options are: nuance (subtle difference), petulant (bad-tempered), and pinion (restrain). This term describes cultural sophistication levels.