TNPSC Synonyms and Antonyms Quiz 3

TNPSC Synonyms and Antonyms Quiz 3 – Concept Booster

Many students lose marks in TNPSC English questions because similar-looking words create confusion. This concept booster for TNPSC Synonyms and Antonyms Quiz 3 explains each answer with simple meanings, easy examples, and quick tricks to remember English vocabulary better. These synonym and antonym MCQ questions will help you understand commonly used TNPSC English words and improve your confidence while attending competitive exams.

Q1. Choose the synonym of “Alleviate”

Answer: Relieve

Explanation:

“Alleviate” means to reduce pain, difficulty, stress, or suffering and make a situation easier to handle. It is commonly used when talking about reducing problems, pain, pressure, or discomfort. The word “Relieve” closely matches this meaning because it means to lessen or ease something unpleasant.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Increase ❌ → means to make something greater or larger (opposite meaning)
• Worsen ❌ → means to make a condition more severe or bad
• Complicate ❌ → means to make something more difficult or confusing

Example (Alleviate):

The government introduced new measures to alleviate traffic congestion in the city.

Example (Relieve):

Drinking warm water may help relieve throat pain.

Quick Tip:

In TNPSC English questions, words such as alleviate, relieve, ease, reduce, and lessen are often used with the meaning ‘to make a problem or pain smaller.

Q2. Choose the antonym of “Transparent”

Answer: Opaque

Explanation:

“Transparent” means clear or allowing light to pass through so objects behind can be seen easily. The opposite word is “Opaque,” which means not clear and not allowing light to pass through.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Clear ❌ → has a similar meaning to transparent
• Visible ❌ → means able to be seen
• Bright ❌ → refers to strong light or shining

Example (Transparent):

The transparent glass window allowed sunlight into the room.

Example (Opaque):

The opaque wall blocked the view completely.

Quick Tip:

Remember: transparent = see-through and opaque = cannot see through.

Q3. Choose the synonym of “Lucid”

Answer: Clear

Explanation:

“Lucid” means easy to understand, clear, or expressed in a simple manner. It is often used for explanations, writing, or speech. “Clear” is the correct synonym because it carries the same meaning.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Confusing ❌ → means difficult to understand
• Complex ❌ → means complicated
• Doubtful ❌ → means uncertain or unclear

Example (Lucid):

The teacher gave a lucid explanation of the grammar rule.

Example (Clear):

Her clear instructions helped everyone finish the work.

Quick Tip:

Words like lucid, clear, understandable, and simple are often grouped together in vocabulary questions.

Q4. Choose the antonym of “Benevolent”

Answer: Cruel

Explanation:

“Benevolent” means kind, caring, and willing to help others. The opposite word is “Cruel,” which means harsh, unkind, or causing pain intentionally.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Kind ❌ → similar meaning to benevolent
• Generous ❌ → means willing to give or help
• Helpful ❌ → means giving assistance

Example (Benevolent):

The benevolent leader donated money to poor students.

Example (Cruel):

It was cruel to treat animals badly.

Quick Tip:

In TNPSC exams, benevolent is commonly linked with words like kind, generous, and charitable.

Q5. Choose the synonym of “Adept”

Answer: Skilled

Explanation:

“Adept” refers to someone who is highly skilled or talented in a particular activity. “Skilled” is the correct synonym because both words describe expertise and ability.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Weak ❌ → means lacking strength or ability
• Poor ❌ → means low quality or lacking skill
• Careless ❌ → means not paying attention properly

Example (Adept):

She is adept at solving mathematical problems.

Example (Skilled):

The skilled carpenter completed the work perfectly.

Quick Tip:

Words like adept, expert, talented, and skilled often appear together in synonym questions.

Q6. Choose the antonym of “Optimistic”

Answer: Pessimistic

Explanation:

“Optimistic” means having a positive attitude and expecting good outcomes. The opposite word is “Pessimistic,” which means expecting negative results or always thinking something bad may happen.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Hopeful ❌ → similar meaning to optimistic
• Cheerful ❌ → means happy and positive
• Positive ❌ → also matches optimistic meaning

Example (Optimistic):

Despite the challenges, she remained optimistic about success.

Example (Pessimistic):

He was pessimistic about the team winning the match.

Quick Tip:

Optimistic = positive thinking and pessimistic = negative thinking.

Q7. Choose the synonym of “Trivial”

Answer: Insignificant

Explanation:

“Trivial” means something small, unimportant, or having little value. “Insignificant” is the correct synonym because it also refers to something not important.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Important ❌ → opposite meaning
• Serious ❌ → means important or severe
• Major ❌ → means significant or important

Example (Trivial):

They argued over a trivial issue.

Example (Insignificant):

The mistake was insignificant and easily corrected.

Quick Tip:

Remember: trivial = minor = insignificant.

Q8. Choose the antonym of “Expand”

Answer: Shrink

Explanation:

“Expand” means to grow larger, spread out, or increase in size. The opposite word is “Shrink,” which means to become smaller.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Increase ❌ → similar meaning to expand
• Extend ❌ → means stretch or enlarge
• Grow ❌ → also means increase in size

Example (Expand):

The company plans to expand its business next year.

Example (Shrink):

Wool clothes may shrink after washing.

Quick Tip:

In vocabulary questions, expand is often connected with increase, enlarge, and grow.

Q9. Choose the synonym of “Endure”

Answer: Tolerate

Explanation:

“Endure” means to suffer patiently, tolerate difficulties, or continue despite hardship. “Tolerate” is the correct synonym because it means to bear or accept something unpleasant.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Quit ❌ → means stop doing something
• Avoid ❌ → means stay away from something
• Stop ❌ → opposite meaning

Example (Endure):

The soldiers endured harsh weather conditions.

Example (Tolerate):

She could not tolerate loud noises.

Quick Tip:

Words like endure, bear, and tolerate usually indicate patience during difficulty.

Q10. Choose the antonym of “Scarce”

Answer: Plenty

Explanation:

“Scarce” means limited or not available in sufficient quantity. The opposite word is “Plenty,” which means abundance or enough quantity.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Rare ❌ → similar meaning to scarce
• Limited ❌ → also means not enough
• Few ❌ → refers to small quantity

Example (Scarce):

Water becomes scarce during severe droughts.

Example (Plenty):

There was plenty of food for all the guests.

Quick Tip:

Remember: scarce = less and plenty = more than enough.

Q11. Choose the synonym of “Vulnerable”

Answer: Weak

Explanation:

“Vulnerable” means easily harmed, attacked, or affected. “Weak” is the correct synonym because weak people or things are more likely to be harmed.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Strong ❌ → opposite meaning
• Safe ❌ → means protected from danger
• Protected ❌ → opposite idea

Example (Vulnerable):

Children are vulnerable to infections.

Example (Weak):

The weak bridge could not handle heavy traffic.

Quick Tip:

Vulnerable often relates to danger, weakness, or lack of protection.

Q12. Choose the antonym of “Rigid”

Answer: Flexible

Explanation:

“Rigid” means stiff, strict, or not easily bent or changed. The opposite word is “Flexible,” which means able to bend or adapt easily.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Stiff ❌ → similar meaning to rigid
• Hard ❌ → related to firmness
• Strict ❌ → also close to rigid meaning

Example (Rigid):

The school follows rigid rules.

Example (Flexible):

Flexible work hours help employees manage time better.

Quick Tip:

Rigid = strict/stiff while flexible = adaptable/easy to change.

Q13. Choose the synonym of “Hinder”

Answer: Obstruct

Explanation:

“Hinder” means to create difficulty, delay progress, or block something from happening smoothly. “Obstruct” is the correct synonym because it means to block or interfere.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Help ❌ → opposite meaning
• Support ❌ → means assist or encourage
• Encourage ❌ → means motivate positively

Example (Hinder):

Heavy rain may hinder transportation services.

Example (Obstruct):

Fallen trees obstructed the road.

Quick Tip:

Words like hinder, obstruct, block, and delay often share similar meanings.

Q14. Choose the antonym of “Inferior”

Answer: Superior

Explanation:

“Inferior” means lower in quality, rank, or value. The opposite word is “Superior,” which means higher in quality or position.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Lesser ❌ → similar meaning to inferior
• Lower ❌ → also means below in rank
• Weak ❌ → unrelated meaning

Example (Inferior):

This product is inferior in quality.

Example (Superior):

Their latest model is superior to the old one.

Quick Tip:

Remember the pair: inferior ↔ superior.

Q15. Choose the synonym of “Abstain”

Answer: Avoid

Explanation:

“Abstain” means to voluntarily avoid or refrain from doing something. It is commonly used when someone stays away from a habit, activity, or action by choice. “Avoid” is the correct synonym because both words indicate staying away from something intentionally.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Participate ❌ → means to take part in something
• Engage ❌ → means become involved
• Join ❌ → means to enter or participate in an activity

Example (Abstain):

Doctors advised him to abstain from smoking.

Example (Avoid):

You should avoid eating too much junk food.

Quick Tip:

The word abstain is often used with habits like smoking, alcohol, unhealthy food, or unnecessary activities.

Q16. Choose the antonym of “Ancient”

Answer: Modern

Explanation:

“Ancient” refers to something very old or belonging to the distant past. The opposite word is “Modern,” which means current, recent, or related to present times.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Old ❌ → similar meaning to ancient
• Antique ❌ → refers to old valuable objects
• Past ❌ → connected with earlier times

Example (Ancient):

India is famous for its ancient temples and monuments.

Example (Modern):

Modern technology has made communication easier.

Quick Tip:

Remember: ancient = old/past while modern = new/current.

Q17. Choose the synonym of “Commence”

Answer: Start

Explanation:

“Commence” means to begin or start something. It is a formal English word often used in official communication, meetings, and announcements. “Start” is the correct synonym because both words refer to the beginning of an activity.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• End ❌ → opposite meaning
• Finish ❌ → means complete
• Close ❌ → means shut or stop

Example (Commence):

The examination will commence at 10 AM.

Example (Start):

The program will start after lunch.

Quick Tip:

In TNPSC English questions, commence is frequently used as a formal alternative to begin or start.

Q18. Choose the antonym of “Generous”

Answer: Stingy

Explanation:

“Generous” means willing to give, share, or help others freely. The opposite word is “Stingy,” which means unwilling to spend money or share with others.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Kind ❌ → positive quality similar to generous
• Helpful ❌ → means giving support
• Honest ❌ → unrelated meaning

Example (Generous):

The generous businessman donated books to students.

Example (Stingy):

He was too stingy to contribute money for the event.

Quick Tip:

Remember: generous people share freely, while stingy people avoid spending or sharing.

Q19. Choose the synonym of “Resilient”

Answer: Strong

Explanation:

“Resilient” means able to recover quickly from difficulties, pressure, or problems. It describes mental or physical strength during challenging situations. “Strong” is the correct synonym because resilient people remain tough and recover easily.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Weak ❌ → opposite meaning
• Fragile ❌ → means easily broken
• Soft ❌ → unrelated meaning

Example (Resilient):

Children are often resilient after difficult experiences.

Example (Strong):

She stayed strong during hard times.

Quick Tip:

Resilient is commonly associated with recovery power, mental toughness, and adaptability.

Q20. Choose the antonym of “Include”

Answer: Exclude

Explanation:

“Include” means to contain, involve, or make someone part of something. The opposite word is “Exclude,” which means to leave out or prevent someone from being included.

👉 Why other options are wrong:

• Add ❌ → similar meaning to include
• Contain ❌ → also means include
• Involve ❌ → refers to participation or inclusion

Example (Include):

The package includes free study materials.

Example (Exclude):

The rules exclude outside visitors from entering the hall.

Quick Tip:

Remember the common opposite pair: include ↔ exclude.

To understand word meanings more clearly, refer to trusted sources like the Cambridge Dictionary for accurate definitions and usage examples.