English Language

Vocabulary and Synonyms

17,324 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

Which of the following could replace 'cramp' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Kidneys are considered "vital organs," meaning they perform functions essential to your health. Your kidneys purify your blood. The filtered-out waste and water are called urine. The most common causes of kidney malfunction are diabetes and high blood pressure. Some kidney diseases are hereditary. If your family has a history of any kind of kidney problems, mention them to your health care provider. You might be at risk. As the disease progresses, you might notice you're urinating more or less frequently. You might feel queasy or lose your appetite. Some people experience numbness or swelling in the hands or feet. Others have muscle cramp. You might feel drowsy or have a difficult time concentrating.

  1. pain

  2. swelling

  3. spasm

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

Cramp is a painful muscle contraction.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'drowsy' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Kidneys are considered "vital organs," meaning they perform functions essential to your health. Your kidneys purify your blood. The filtered-out waste and water are called urine. The most common causes of kidney malfunction are diabetes and high blood pressure. Some kidney diseases are hereditary. If your family has a history of any kind of kidney problems, mention them to your health care provider. You might be at risk. As the disease progresses, you might notice you're urinating more or less frequently. You might feel queasy or lose your appetite. Some people experience numbness or swelling in the hands or feet. Others have muscle cramp. You might feel drowsy or have a difficult time concentrating.

  1. uneasy

  2. weak

  3. lethargic

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

Drowsy is sleepy or lethargic

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom which is underlined.

The watch I bought for my wife appeared a pretty penny to her.

  1. cheap

  2. expensive

  3. antique

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

The idiom 'a pretty penny' or 'cost a pretty penny' means something is expensive or costs a lot of money. The 'pretty' here means considerable or substantial, not attractive. The watch appeared costly to the wife - meaning it seemed like a significant expense.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word from the options which is similar in meaning to the given word/phrase.

One who is determined to take revenge for wrong done to him

  1. Vindicator

  2. Usurer

  3. Vindictive

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

Vindictive means having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge. A vindicator is someone who defends or justifies, usurer is a moneylender, and virulent refers to something highly infectious or poisonous.

Multiple choice

Direction: Choose one word from the alternatives to replace the phrase given below.

The study of ancient writings

  1. <font face="Arial">Chirography</font>

  2. <font face="Arial">Radiography</font>

  3. <font face="Arial">Xerography</font>

  4. Palaeography
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Palaeography is the study of ancient writing systems and deciphering historical manuscripts. Chirography is handwriting, Radiography uses X-rays, and Xerography is photocopying.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word from the options which is similar in meaning to the given word/phrase.

To mediate between two parties in a dispute

  1. Interfere

  2. Interact

  3. Interrupt

  4. Intercede
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Intercede means to mediate between two parties in a dispute or to intervene on behalf of someone. The word specifically refers to acting as a go-between to resolve conflict or plead for another person. To interfere is meddle, to interact is communicate, and to interrupt is break in.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word from the options which is similar in meaning to the given word/phrase.

One who is neither intelligent nor dull

  1. Tolerable

  2. Commoner

  3. Mediocre

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

Mediocre means average or moderate in quality - neither exceptionally good nor exceptionally bad. This directly corresponds to being neither intelligent (very good) nor dull (very bad). Tolerable means endurable, commoner refers to an ordinary person, and diligent means hardworking - none of which capture this middle-ground meaning.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word from the options which is similar in meaning to the given word/phrase.

A thing liable to be easily broken

  1. Breakable

  2. Ductile

  3. Brittle

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

Brittle describes a material that is hard but breaks or shatters easily when subjected to stress. This is the exact definition of something liable to be easily broken. Breakable is too general, ductile means capable of being drawn out into wire (opposite of brittle), and delicate means fragile or requiring careful handling.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word from the options which is similar in meaning to the given word/phrase.

Lack of enough blood

  1. Amnesia

  2. Insomnia

  3. Anaemia

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

Anaemia is the medical condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, literally meaning lack of enough blood. Amnesia is memory loss, insomnia is inability to sleep, and allergy is an immune system response - none relate to blood deficiency.

Multiple choice

Directions: Substitute the following phrase with one word from the given options.

A person who readily believes others

  1. Credible

  2. Credulous

  3. Sensible

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

Credulous means having or showing too great a readiness to believe things. This perfectly describes a person who readily believes others, often without sufficient evidence. Credible means believable (describing the thing, not the person), sensible means practical, and sensitive means easily affected emotionally.