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

Directions: The sentence below has a word in capitals. Select the synonym of the word as per the context.

In his stories, plays, poems and novels, Oscar Wilde displayed his genius as a RACONTEUR and coiner of epigrams as he spared none of his aquintances of one of these.

  1. Talker

  2. Anecdotist

  3. Chronicler

  4. Poet

  5. Biographer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

One who writes about anecdotes from life. The context points to Oscar's qualities, his social behaviour and his writings.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has a word in capitals. Select the synonym of the word as per the context.

Despite his uncompromising patriotism, one thing that he feared above all was the thought if ever the authorities got accustomed to the rumours of his CLANDESTINE activities.

  1. Fraudulent

  2. Illegitimate

  3. Surreptitious

  4. Veiled

  5. Undercover
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is appropriate in the given context as it refers to something that is not allowed by a particular set of rules or laws, even though it may be for a good cause otherwise.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has a word in capitals. Select the synonym of the word as per the context.

The legendary river had set the stage for many historical battles in the past. Nonetheless, TURBULENT conditions occur even today for official licences pertaining to mining and territorial rights.

  1. Anarchic

  2. Mutinous

  3. Disorderly

  4. Violent

  5. Rowdy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It most nearly means lack of control owing to noise and public violence.

Multiple choice

Directions: For the word given above the table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (1, 2, 3, 4) with their corresponding usage on the right (a, b, c, d). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usage correctly matched.

EVIDENCE

Meaning| Usage| | 1. information on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood| a. The house bore evidence of neglect.| | 2. a sign or indication| b. I had to give evidence in court because I witnessed the stabbing.| | 3. conspicuous, noticeable| c. I tried to allay her evident anxiety with a joke.| | 4. clear or obvious| d. The police were much in evidence at the large rally.|
  1. 1. b
    2. d
    3. a
    4. c
  2. 1. b
    2. a
    3. d
    4. c
  3. 1. a
    2. b
    3. c
    4. d
  4. 1. c
    2. a
    3. b
    4. d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The usage of meaning 1, 'information on which top base proud or to established truth or falsehood' is only in usage b. This matches pair 1b. Also, another pair that can be formed easily is 3c. These two help us to mark option (2) as correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: For the word given above the table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (1, 2, 3, 4) with their corresponding usage on the right (a, b, c, d). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usage correctly matched.

EXPLAIN

Meaning| Usage| | 1. to make clear or plain| a. Don’t try to explain away your rude behaviour, it was uncalled for.| | 2. to give meaning or reasons for | b. I can’t think of any explanation for her not coming to the party.| | 3. a reason or motive for something| c. His strange behaviour is explicable considering his recent bereavement.| | 4. that which is understandable| d. I don’t understand what this means, could you explain it to me.|
  1. 1. a
    2. d
    3. b
    4. c
  2. 1. b
    2. c
    3. a
    4. d
  3. 1. d
    2. c
    3. b
    4. a
  4. 1. d
    2. a
    3. b
    4. c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

For usage ‘a’, ‘don’t try to explain away your rude behaviour was uncalled for’, 2 gives the right meaning. Therefore, 2a shall be part of a correct logical sequence, (4) provides us with such an order, therefore option (4) is correct answer.