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11 General English — Common Notes 🕒 Updated 2026-10-16
Common Notes SSC CGL · CHSL · Police · Bank · Railway Chapter 11

📚 Synonyms & Antonyms

The biggest part of vocabulary. A high-frequency word list, decoding meaning from roots/prefixes, and elimination tricks.

📌 1. High-frequency Word List (30 words)

WordMeaningSynonymAntonym
AbundantplentifulPlentifulScarce
CandidfrankFrankDeceitful
Diligenthard-workingHard-workingLazy
Ephemeralshort-livedShort-livedPermanent
FrugalthriftyThriftyExtravagant
GregarioussociableSociableIntroverted
HostileunfriendlyUnfriendlyFriendly
ImpeccableflawlessFlawlessFaulty
JubilantjoyfulJoyfulGloomy
LethargicsluggishSluggishEnergetic
MeticulouscarefulCarefulCareless
ObstinatestubbornStubbornFlexible
PrudentwiseWiseRash
ReluctantunwillingUnwillingEager
TranquilcalmCalmTurbulent
VindictiverevengefulRevengefulForgiving
BenevolentkindKindMalevolent
CordialwarmWarmHostile
AffluentwealthyWealthyPoor
ObsoleteoutdatedOutdatedModern
BrittlefragileFragileTough
LucidclearClearObscure
MitigatelessenLessenAggravate
AugmentincreaseIncreaseDecrease
ArroganthaughtyHaughtyHumble
ExonerateacquitAcquitConvict
FeebleweakWeakStrong
ZenithpeakPeakNadir
OpulentluxuriousLuxuriousPoor
VerbosewordyWordyConcise

📌 2. Meaning from Roots and Prefixes

Root / PrefixMeaningExamples
bene-goodbenevolent, benefactor, benign
mal-badmalevolent, malice, malnutrition
philo-/phillovephilanthropy, philosophy
mis-/miso-hatred/wrongmisogynist, misanthrope
-cidekillinghomicide, pesticide
chron-timechronic, chronology
loqu-/locu-speakloquacious, eloquent
omni-allomnipresent, omniscient
un-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, dis-not/oppositeunable, illegal, irregular, dishonest
💡 Memory Tip: For an antonym, first think of the word's synonym, then find its opposite. An option that is a synonym is the trap.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
  • Check whether the question asks for a synonym or an antonym — many lose marks right here.
  • Look-alike words: eminent (famous) vs imminent (about to happen), elicit (draw out) vs illicit (illegal), complement vs compliment.

📌 3. Practice MCQs

📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Choose the synonym of ABUNDANT. Practice
(A) Scarce
(B) Rare
(C) Meagre
(D) Plentiful
Correct answer: (D) Plentiful
Explanation: Abundant = plentiful.
Q2. Choose the antonym of FRUGAL. Practice
(A) Extravagant
(B) Thrifty
(C) Economical
(D) Careful
Correct answer: (A) Extravagant
Explanation: Frugal = thrifty; opposite = extravagant.
Q3. Choose the synonym of EPHEMERAL. Practice
(A) Eternal
(B) Durable
(C) Transient
(D) Ancient
Correct answer: (C) Transient
Explanation: Ephemeral = short-lived = transient.
Q4. Choose the antonym of DILIGENT. Practice
(A) Industrious
(B) Lazy
(C) Hard-working
(D) Sincere
Correct answer: (B) Lazy
Explanation: Diligent = hard-working; opposite = lazy.
Q5. Choose the synonym of CANDID. Practice
(A) Secretive
(B) Cunning
(C) Frank
(D) Polite
Correct answer: (C) Frank
Explanation: Candid = frank.
Q6. Choose the antonym of BENEVOLENT. Practice
(A) Kind
(B) Generous
(C) Charitable
(D) Malevolent
Correct answer: (D) Malevolent
Explanation: bene = good, mal = bad → malevolent.
Q7. Choose the synonym of OBSTINATE. Practice
(A) Stubborn
(B) Flexible
(C) Obedient
(D) Docile
Correct answer: (A) Stubborn
Explanation: Obstinate = stubborn.
Q8. Choose the antonym of ZENITH. Practice
(A) Peak
(B) Summit
(C) Nadir
(D) Apex
Correct answer: (C) Nadir
Explanation: Zenith = highest point; opposite = nadir.
Q9. Choose the synonym of MITIGATE. Practice
(A) Alleviate
(B) Aggravate
(C) Intensify
(D) Provoke
Correct answer: (A) Alleviate
Explanation: Mitigate = lessen = alleviate.
Q10. Choose the antonym of VERBOSE. Practice
(A) Wordy
(B) Lengthy
(C) Talkative
(D) Concise
Correct answer: (D) Concise
Explanation: Verbose = wordy; opposite = concise.
Q11. Choose the synonym of LUCID. Practice
(A) Vague
(B) Clear
(C) Confusing
(D) Dark
Correct answer: (B) Clear
Explanation: Lucid = clear.
Q12. Choose the antonym of EXONERATE. Practice
(A) Acquit
(B) Absolve
(C) Release
(D) Convict
Correct answer: (D) Convict
Explanation: Exonerate = clear of blame; opposite = convict.
Q13. Choose the synonym of GREGARIOUS. Practice
(A) Shy
(B) Sociable
(C) Reserved
(D) Lonely
Correct answer: (B) Sociable
Explanation: Gregarious = sociable.
Q14. Choose the antonym of TRANQUIL. Practice
(A) Calm
(B) Peaceful
(C) Turbulent
(D) Serene
Correct answer: (C) Turbulent
Explanation: Tranquil = calm; opposite = turbulent.
Q15. Choose the synonym of METICULOUS. Practice
(A) Painstaking
(B) Careless
(C) Hasty
(D) Negligent
Correct answer: (A) Painstaking
Explanation: Meticulous = very careful = painstaking.
Q16. Choose the antonym of OBSOLETE. Practice
(A) Outdated
(B) Modern
(C) Ancient
(D) Archaic
Correct answer: (B) Modern
Explanation: Obsolete = outdated; opposite = modern.
Q17. Choose the synonym of AUGMENT. Practice
(A) Reduce
(B) Diminish
(C) Curtail
(D) Enhance
Correct answer: (D) Enhance
Explanation: Augment = increase = enhance.
Q18. Choose the antonym of ARROGANT. Practice
(A) Humble
(B) Haughty
(C) Proud
(D) Boastful
Correct answer: (A) Humble
Explanation: Arrogant = haughty; opposite = humble.
Q19. Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to RELUCTANT. Practice
(A) Unwilling
(B) Hesitant
(C) Eager
(D) Averse
Correct answer: (C) Eager
Explanation: Reluctant = unwilling; opposite = eager.
Q20. Choose the synonym of the underlined word: The danger was imminent. Practice
(A) Famous
(B) Impending
(C) Distant
(D) Remarkable
Correct answer: (B) Impending
Explanation: Imminent = about to happen = impending. Do not confuse with eminent (famous).

📝 Practice questions

General English — Practice MCQs Ch 11: Synonyms & Antonyms
📝 Test this chapter Practice questions

Practice MCQs prepared by SF Prep (not PYQs). Rules checked against standard grammar references.