Question 1

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to: OBFUSCATE

Accepted Answer

OBFUSCATE (verb) means to deliberately make something unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand. It comes from Latin 'obfuscare' (to darken). The opposite would be to make something clear and easy to understand. CLARIFY (option b) is the correct antonym, meaning to make something clear or easier to understand. COMPLICATE is a distractor because it suggests making things difficult, similar to obfuscate but not its opposite. OBSCURE also means to make unclear, so it's a synonym trap. CONFOUND means to confuse or perplex, making it another synonym trap. In SSC/Banking papers, obfuscate frequently appears in comprehension passages where officials 'obfuscate the facts' to hide truth.

Question 2

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to: METICULOUS

Accepted Answer

Meticulous (adjective) means showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. It comes from Latin 'meticulosus' (fearful, timid). Example: 'The meticulous accountant checked every figure twice.' The correct antonym is 'Careless' because it describes the absence of careful attention.

Question 3

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to: VERBOSE

Accepted Answer

Verbose (adjective) means using or containing more words than necessary; wordy. It comes from Latin 'verbosus' (full of words). Example: 'The verbose report could have been summarised in two pages.' The correct antonym is 'Concise' because it describes speech or writing that is brief and to the point.

Question 4

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: BENIGN

Accepted Answer

BENIGN means kind, gentle, or (in medical context) not harmful or malignant. The correct answer is HARMLESS because both describe something that is not dangerous or harmful. BENIGN comes from Latin 'benignus' (kind, gracious). Context: 'The doctor confirmed the tumour was benign and posed no threat.' In everyday use: 'His benign neglect of the garden allowed wildflowers to flourish.'

Question 5

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to: EPHEMERAL

Accepted Answer

EPHEMERAL means lasting for a very short time; transient or fleeting. The correct answer is PERMANENT because it describes something that lasts indefinitely, the direct opposite. EPHEMERAL comes from Greek 'ephemeros' (lasting only a day). Context: 'The beauty of cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only weeks.' PERMANENT means enduring, lasting, or fixed—the antonym.

Question 6

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: PRAGMATIC

Accepted Answer

Pragmatic (adjective) means dealing with things in a practical, realistic way based on actual circumstances rather than theory. It derives from Greek 'pragma' (deed/action). Example: 'The pragmatic manager chose the most cost-effective solution.' The correct synonym is 'Practical' because both describe a realistic, action-oriented approach.

Question 7

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: BENEVOLENT

Accepted Answer

Benevolent (adjective) means kind, generous, and charitable in nature. It derives from Latin 'bene' (well) + 'volens' (willing). Example: 'The benevolent organisation distributed food to the poor.' The correct synonym is 'Charitable' because both words describe acts of kindness and generosity towards others.

Question 8

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: ARDENT

Accepted Answer

ARDENT means enthusiastic, passionate, or fervent. The correct answer is PASSIONATE because both words describe intense emotional commitment or zeal. ARDENT is derived from Latin 'ardere' (to burn), suggesting intense heat of feeling. Context: 'She was an ardent supporter of environmental conservation.' FERVENT is a near-synonym but PASSIONATE is the most direct match in modern English usage.

Question 9

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to: PROLIFIC

Accepted Answer

PROLIFIC (adjective) means producing much fruit, foliage, or many offspring; highly productive or fertile. From Latin 'proles' (offspring). Example: 'Shakespeare was a prolific writer, producing 37 plays.' The correct answer is BARREN, which means unable to produce or unproductive. ABUNDANT means plentiful (synonym). PROFUSE means existing in large quantities (synonym). PROFANE means irreverent/blasphemous (unrelated).

Question 10

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: OBFUSCATE

Accepted Answer

OBFUSCATE (verb) means to deliberately make something unclear or confusing; to obscure. From Latin 'obfuscare' (to darken). Example: 'The politician's vague statements obfuscate the real issue.' The correct answer is OBSCURE, which means to make unclear or hidden. CLARIFY means to make clear (opposite). OBLITERATE means to destroy completely (different meaning). OBLIGATE means to bind by duty (unrelated).

Question 11

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: AMELIORATE

Accepted Answer

AMELIORATE (verb) means to make something better or improve a situation. The word comes from Latin 'melior' (better). Example: 'The new policy will ameliorate working conditions for employees.' The correct answer is IMPROVE, which is a direct synonym. ALLEVIATE means to reduce pain/suffering (partial overlap but narrower). ACCELERATE means to speed up (completely different). AGGRAVATE means to worsen (opposite meaning).

Question 12

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to PRAGMATIC.

Accepted Answer

Pragmatic (adjective) means dealing with things in a practical, realistic way based on actual circumstances rather than theory. From Greek 'pragma' (deed/action). Context: 'A pragmatic approach to the problem focuses on what actually works.' The correct answer is IDEALISTIC, which means guided by ideals or principles rather than practical reality.

SSC CHSL Synonyms & Antonyms

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Synonyms & Antonyms— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

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Synonyms & Antonyms — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Synonyms & Antonyms