Boost your English vocabulary for competitive exams with this curated list of important synonyms and antonyms. These words are frequently asked in exams like SSC, UPSC, Banking, HSSC CET, Railway, NDA, CDS, and other government exams. Each word comes with its meaning, synonym, antonym, and example usage to help you understand and remember better. Download the PDF for offline practice.
Important Synonyms and Antonyms for Competitive Exams
The following table lists 200 high-frequency English vocabulary words, their meanings in English and Hindi, synonyms, and antonyms. These words are essential for competitive exams like HSSC CET, SSC, UPSC, CAT, and banking exams.
Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अर्थ) | Synonyms | Antonyms |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abate | To reduce or lessen | कम करना, घटाना | Diminish, decrease, subside | Increase, intensify, escalate |
Abhor | To hate intensely | घृणा करना | Detest, loathe, despise | Love, admire, cherish |
Abridge | To shorten or condense | संक्षिप्त करना | Shorten, curtail, summarize | Expand, lengthen, extend |
Abscond | To leave secretly | चुपके से भाग जाना | Flee, escape, bolt | Stay, remain, confront |
Abstemious | Moderate in eating/drinking | संयमी, संयमित | Temperate, restrained, frugal | Indulgent, excessive, greedy |
Abstruse | Difficult to understand | जटिल, गूढ़ | Obscure, complex, arcane | Clear, simple, straightforward |
Accede | To agree or consent | सहमत होना | Concur, assent, comply | Refuse, deny, oppose |
Acerbic | Sharp and bitter in tone | तीखा, कटु | Sarcastic, biting, caustic | Gentle, mild, kind |
Acquiesce | To agree passively | चुपचाप स्वीकार करना | Comply, consent, yield | Resist, oppose, defy |
Acrimonious | Angry and bitter | कटु, तीखा | Bitter, hostile, vitriolic | Friendly, amicable, cordial |
Admonish | To warn or scold gently | चेतावनी देना, फटकारना | Reprimand, caution, advise | Praise, commend, encourage |
Adroit | Skillful, clever | निपुण, चतुर | Dexterous, adept, proficient | Clumsy, inept, unskilled |
Aesthetic | Concerned with beauty | सौंदर्यपूर्ण | Artistic, tasteful, elegant | Unattractive, tasteless |
Affable | Friendly and approachable | मिलनसार, सौम्य | Cordial, sociable, genial | Cold, aloof, unfriendly |
Aggrandize | To increase in power or status | बढ़ाना, ऊंचा करना | Exalt, magnify, glorify | Diminish, degrade, belittle |
Alacrity | Cheerful readiness | उत्साह, तत्परता | Eagerness, promptness, enthusiasm | Reluctance, hesitation, apathy |
Alleviate | To relieve or lessen | कम करना, राहत देना | Mitigate, ease, soothe | Aggravate, worsen, intensify |
Aloof | Distant or reserved | अलग, उदासीन | Detached, distant, standoffish | Friendly, approachable, engaged |
Altruistic | Selflessly concerned for others | परोपकारी | Benevolent, generous, selfless | Selfish, greedy, egoistic |
Ambiguous | Unclear or having multiple meanings | अस्पष्ट, संदिग्ध | Vague, equivocal, uncertain | Clear, definite, explicit |
Ameliorate | To improve or make better | सुधार करना | Enhance, improve, better | Worsen, deteriorate, aggravate |
Amicable | Friendly, peaceful | मैत्रीपूर्ण | Cordial, harmonious, congenial | Hostile, unfriendly, antagonistic |
Anachronism | Something out of place in time | काल-विसंगति | Misnomer, relic | Modern, timely, contemporary |
Animosity | Strong hostility | शत्रुता, बैर | Hostility, enmity, rancor | Friendship, goodwill, harmony |
Anomaly | Something unusual or irregular | विसंगति, असामान्यता | Aberration, deviation, oddity | Norm, regularity, conformity |
Antipathy | Strong dislike | घृणा, अरुचि | Aversion, repulsion, hostility | Liking, affection, attraction |
Apathy | Lack of interest or concern | उदासीनता | Indifference, lethargy, disinterest | Enthusiasm, passion, concern |
Appease | To calm or satisfy | शांत करना, तुष्ट करना | Pacify, soothe, placate | Provoke, anger, irritate |
Arbitrary | Based on random choice | मनमाना | Capricious, random, whimsical | Reasoned, logical, planned |
Ardent | Passionate, enthusiastic | उत्साही, जोशीला | Fervent, zealous, passionate | Indifferent, apathetic, lukewarm |
Articulate | Expressing clearly | स्पष्ट बोलना | Eloquent, fluent, expressive | Inarticulate, unclear, mumbled |
Ascetic | Practicing self-denial | तपस्वी, संन्यासी | Austere, disciplined, abstinent | Indulgent, hedonistic, lavish |
Assiduous | Diligent, hardworking | परिश्रमी | Industrious, meticulous, diligent | Lazy, careless, negligent |
Audacious | Bold, daring | साहसी, निर्भीक | Courageous, fearless, intrepid | Timid, cautious, cowardly |
Austere | Simple, plain, or strict | सादा, कठोर | Severe, stern, frugal | Luxurious, indulgent, ornate |
Avarice | Greed for wealth | लालच | Greed, covetousness, rapacity | Generosity, contentment |
Banal | Lacking originality, common | साधारण, घिसा-पिटा | Trite, hackneyed, clichéd | Original, fresh, novel |
Belligerent | Hostile, warlike | युद्धरत, आक्रामक | Aggressive, combative, hostile | Peaceful, friendly, amicable |
Benevolent | Kind, generous | परोपकारी, दयालु | Charitable, kindhearted, altruistic | Malevolent, cruel, selfish |
Brevity | Shortness, conciseness | संक्षिप्तता | Conciseness, succinctness, terseness | Lengthiness, verbosity |
Candid | Honest, straightforward | स्पष्ट, निष्कपट | Frank, open, sincere | Deceptive, insincere, secretive |
Capricious | Unpredictable, impulsive | मनमौजी | Fickle, whimsical, erratic | Predictable, steady, consistent |
Castigate | To criticize severely | कठोर आलोचना करना | Reprimand, scold, chastise | Praise, commend, applaud |
Catalyst | Something that triggers change | उत्प्रेरक | Stimulus, trigger, spark | Inhibitor, obstacle, deterrent |
Censure | Strong disapproval or criticism | निंदा, आलोचना | Condemn, criticize, reprimand | Praise, commend, approve |
Clandestine | Secret or hidden | गुप्त, छिपा | Covert, surreptitious, stealthy | Open, overt, public |
Coerce | To force or compel | मजबूर करना | Compel, pressure, intimidate | Persuade, encourage, allow |
Cogent | Convincing, logical | ठोस, तर्कसंगत | Persuasive, compelling, valid | Weak, unconvincing, illogical |
Complacent | Self-satisfied, unconcerned | आत्मसंतुष्ट | Smug, self-satisfied, content | Concerned, anxious, dissatisfied |
Concur | To agree or consent | सहमत होना | Assent, agree, comply | Disagree, oppose, dissent |
Condescend | To behave as superior | नीचा दिखाना | Patronize, belittle, deign | Respect, honor, regard |
Confound | To confuse or perplex | भ्रमित करना | Bewilder, puzzle, mystify | Clarify, explain, enlighten |
Conspicuous | Easily noticeable | स्पष्ट, ध्यान देने योग्य | Prominent, obvious, striking | Inconspicuous, hidden, obscure |
Contentious | Likely to cause disagreement | विवादास्पद | Controversial, argumentative | Agreeable, peaceful, amicable |
Contrite | Regretful, remorseful | पश्चातापी | Repentant, remorseful, penitent | Unrepentant, indifferent |
Copious | Abundant, plentiful | प्रचुर, बहुत | Ample, abundant, profuse | Scarce, meager, sparse |
Credible | Believable, trustworthy | विश्वसनीय | Plausible, reliable, trustworthy | Incredible, unbelievable, dubious |
Culpable | Deserving blame | दोषी | Guilty, blameworthy, responsible | Innocent, blameless |
Dearth | Scarcity, lack | कमी, अभाव | Scarcity, paucity, shortage | Abundance, plenty, excess |
Debase | To lower in value or quality | नीचा करना | Degrade, demean, corrupt | Elevate, enhance, uplift |
Deferential | Respectful, submissive | सम्मानपूर्ण, विनम्र | Respectful, courteous, submissive | Arrogant, disrespectful, defiant |
Deleterious | Harmful or damaging | हानिकारक | Detrimental, injurious, toxic | Beneficial, helpful, harmless |
Demure | Reserved, modest | संकोची, शालीन | Modest, shy, reserved | Bold, forward, assertive |
Deplete | To reduce or exhaust | समाप्त करना | Exhaust, diminish, drain | Replenish, restore, augment |
Deride | To mock or ridicule | उपहास करना | Mock, scorn, ridicule | Praise, admire, respect |
Despondent | Hopeless, depressed | निराश, उदास | Dejected, melancholy, gloomy | Hopeful, cheerful, optimistic |
Deterrent | Something that prevents action | निवारक | Hindrance, obstacle, restraint | Incentive, encouragement |
Dilatory | Slow, delaying | धीमा, विलंब करने वाला | Procrastinating, sluggish, tardy | Prompt, swift, timely |
Disparage | To belittle or criticize | नीचा दिखाना | Belittle, demean, criticize | Praise, commend, exalt |
Disparate | Distinct or dissimilar | भिन्न, असमान | Different, dissimilar, diverse | Similar, alike, comparable |
Disseminate | To spread information | प्रसार करना | Distribute, broadcast, circulate | Conceal, suppress, withhold |
Dogmatic | Rigidly opinionated | हठधर्मी | Opinionated, inflexible, rigid | Open-minded, flexible, tolerant |
Ebullient | Cheerful, enthusiastic | उत्साहपूर्ण | Exuberant, lively, enthusiastic | Subdued, restrained, somber |
Eclectic | Selecting from various sources | विविधतापूर्ण | Diverse, varied, selective | Uniform, similar, narrow |
Efface | To erase or wipe out | मिटाना | Erase, obliterate, remove | Preserve, retain, restore |
Eloquent | Fluent, expressive | वाक्पटु | Articulate, persuasive, expressive | Inarticulate, unclear, dull |
Emulate | To imitate or strive to equal | अनुकरण करना | Imitate, mimic, copy | Differ, diverge |
Enervate | To weaken or drain energy | कमजोर करना | Weaken, debilitate, exhaust | Strengthen, energize, invigorate |
Engender | To cause or produce | उत्पन्न करना | Cause, produce, generate | Prevent, stop, hinder |
Ephemeral | Short-lived, fleeting | क्षणिक | Transient, momentary, brief | Permanent, lasting, enduring |
Equivocal | Ambiguous, uncertain | अस्पष्ट, संदिग्ध | Ambiguous, vague, unclear | Clear, definite, certain |
Erudite | Scholarly, knowledgeable | विद्वान | Learned, scholarly, educated | Ignorant, uneducated |
Euphoria | Intense happiness | उत्साह, उमंग | Elation, joy, ecstasy | Depression, sadness, gloom |
Exacerbate | To make worse | बिगाड़ना | Aggravate, worsen, intensify | Alleviate, improve, mitigate |
Exculpate | To clear from blame | दोषमुक्त करना | Absolve, vindicate, exonerate | Blame, accuse, condemn |
Exigent | Urgent, demanding | अत्यावश्यक | Urgent, pressing, critical | Unimportant, trivial, minor |
Exonerate | To free from blame | दोषमुक्त करना | Absolve, clear, vindicate | Blame, accuse, convict |
Expedite | To speed up or hasten | तेज करना | Hasten, accelerate, quicken | Delay, hinder, slow |
Extravagant | Excessive, wasteful | फिजूलखर्च | Lavish, prodigal, excessive | Frugal, thrifty, economical |
Facile | Easy, superficial | आसान, सतही | Simple, effortless, superficial | Difficult, complex, profound |
Fastidious | Very attentive to detail | सूक्ष्मदर्शी | Meticulous, fussy, particular | Careless, sloppy, negligent |
Felicity | Happiness, apt expression | सुख, उचित अभिव्यक्ति | Bliss, joy, eloquence | Misery, sorrow, infelicity |
Fervent | Passionate, intense | उत्साही, तीव्र | Ardent, zealous, passionate | Apathetic, indifferent, cold |
Flagrant | Obviously offensive | स्पष्ट रूप से गलत | Blatant, egregious, conspicuous | Subtle, minor, inconspicuous |
Florid | Excessively ornate | अलंकृत, भड़कीला | Ornate, elaborate, flowery | Plain, simple, restrained |
Fortuitous | Happening by chance | संयोगवश | Accidental, lucky, serendipitous | Planned, deliberate, intentional |
Frugal | Economical, sparing | मितव्ययी | Thrifty, prudent, sparing | Extravagant, wasteful, lavish |
Garrulous | Excessively talkative | बातूनी | Loquacious, verbose, chatty | Silent, reserved, taciturn |
Gregarious | Sociable, outgoing | मिलनसार | Friendly, sociable, affable | Reserved, solitary, introverted |
Guile | Deceit, cunning | छल, धूर्तता | Deception, trickery, slyness | Honesty, sincerity, candor |
Hackneyed | Overused, commonplace | घिसा-पिटा | Trite, banal, clichéd | Original, fresh, novel |
Hapless | Unfortunate, unlucky | अभागा | Unlucky, unfortunate, wretched | Lucky, fortunate, blessed |
Hegemony | Dominance over others | प्रभुत्व | Dominance, supremacy, leadership | Subordination, submission |
Heresy | Opinion against established belief | विधर्म, अपधर्म | Unorthodoxy, dissent, blasphemy | Orthodoxy, conformity |
Iconoclast | One who challenges tradition | परंपरा तोड़ने वाला | Rebel, nonconformist, dissenter | Traditionalist, conformist |
Ignominious | Shameful, disgraceful | अपमानजनक | Disgraceful, humiliating, shameful | Honorable, dignified, glorious |
Immaculate | Spotlessly clean, perfect | निष्कलंक | Spotless, flawless, pristine | Dirty, flawed, imperfect |
Imminent | About to happen | निकटवर्ती, आसन्न | Impending, forthcoming, near | Distant, remote, far-off |
Immutable | Unchangeable | अपरिवर्तनीय | Fixed, unalterable, constant | Changeable, flexible, variable |
Impartial | Fair, unbiased | निष्पक्ष | Fair, neutral, objective | Biased, partial, prejudiced |
Impede | To hinder or obstruct | बाधा डालना | Hinder, obstruct, hamper | Aid, assist, facilitate |
Implausible | Unlikely, unbelievable | अविश्वसनीय | Unbelievable, improbable, dubious | Plausible, credible, likely |
Inadvertent | Unintentional, accidental | अनजाने में | Unintentional, accidental, unwitting | Deliberate, intentional, planned |
Incongruous | Not in harmony, out of place | असंगत | Inappropriate, discordant, unsuitable | Appropriate, harmonious, suitable |
Indolent | Lazy, idle | आलसी | Slothful, idle, lethargic | Industrious, diligent, active |
Ineffable | Too great to be expressed | अवर्णनीय | Indescribable, inexpressible | Expressible, describable |
Inert | Lacking movement or energy | निष्क्रिय | Inactive, motionless, sluggish | Active, dynamic, energetic |
Ingenuous | Innocent, sincere | निष्कपट, भोला | Candid, sincere, naive | Deceptive, insincere, cunning |
Inimical | Harmful or hostile | हानिकारक, शत्रुतापूर्ण | Hostile, adverse, harmful | Friendly, beneficial, favorable |
Innocuous | Harmless, inoffensive | हानिरहित | Harmless, safe, benign | Harmful, dangerous, toxic |
Insipid | Lacking flavor or interest | नीरस, फीका | Bland, dull, tasteless | Interesting, flavorful, lively |
Insolent | Rude, disrespectful | अशिष्ट, गुस्ताख | Impudent, rude, disrespectful | Polite, respectful, courteous |
Intrepid | Fearless, brave | नन्हीक, साहसी | Courageous, valiant, fearless | Timid, cowardly, fearful |
Inveterate | Habitual, deeply established | घनघोर, पक्का | Chronic, habitual, ingrained | Occasional, infrequent, new |
Jocular | Humorous, playful | मजाकिया | Witty, humorous, jovial | Serious, solemn, grave |
Judicious | Wise, sensible | विवेकपूर्ण | Prudent, sensible, wise | Foolish, reckless, unwise |
Lament | To express grief or sorrow | विलाप करना | Mourn, grieve, bewail | Rejoice, celebrate, delight |
Laudable | Worthy of praise | प्रशंसनीय | Commendable, admirable, praiseworthy | Blameworthy, deplorable |
Lethargic | Sluggish, lacking energy | सुस्त, आलसी | Sluggish, listless, torpid | Energetic, lively, active |
Levity | Lack of seriousness | हल्कापन | Frivolity, lightheartedness | Seriousness, gravity, sobriety |
Lucid | Clear, easily understood | स्पष्ट, सुबोध | Clear, coherent, intelligible | Confusing, unclear, obscure |
Magnanimous | Generous, forgiving | उदार, क्षमाशील | Noble, generous, forgiving | Petty, selfish, vindictive |
Malign | To speak ill of, harmful | बदनाम करना, हानिकारक | Defame, slander, harmful | Praise, laud, beneficial |
Meticulous | Very careful about details | सूक्ष्म, सावधान | Precise, thorough, careful | Careless, sloppy, negligent |
Mitigate | To make less severe | कम करना, शांत करना | Alleviate, reduce, lessen | Aggravate, worsen, intensify |
Obdurate | Stubborn, unyielding | हठी, कठोर | Obstinate, inflexible, unyielding | Flexible, compliant, yielding |
Obfuscate | To confuse or make unclear | अस्पष्ट करना | Confuse, obscure, bewilder | Clarify, explain, elucidate |
Obsolete | Outdated, no longer in use | अप्रचलित | Outdated, antiquated, archaic | Modern, current, up-to-date |
Ostentatious | Showy, pretentious | दिखावटी | Flashy, pretentious, flamboyant | Modest, simple, restrained |
Panacea | A solution for all problems | सर्वरोगहर, रामबाण | Cure-all, remedy, solution | Problem, issue, affliction |
Parsimonious | Excessively frugal | कंजूस, मितव्ययी | Stingy, miserly, frugal | Generous, extravagant, lavish |
Paucity | Scarcity, lack | कमी, अभाव | Scarcity, shortage, dearth | Abundance, plenty, excess |
Pensive | Deeply thoughtful, often sad | विचारमग्न, उदास | Contemplative, reflective, somber | Carefree, cheerful, unthinking |
Pernicious | Highly destructive or harmful | हानिकारक, विनाशकारी | Destructive, harmful, deadly | Beneficial, harmless, benign |
Perpetual | Never-ending, continuous | सतत, स्थायी | Constant, incessant, endless | Temporary, fleeting, intermittent |
Pervasive | Widespread, omnipresent | व्याप्त, सर्वत्र | Ubiquitous, prevalent, widespread | Limited, rare, confined |
Placate | To calm or appease | शांत करना, मनाना | Soothe, pacify, appease | Anger, provoke, irritate |
Pragmatic | Practical, realistic | व्यावहारिक | Practical, sensible, realistic | Impractical, idealistic, unrealistic |
Precarious | Uncertain, risky | अनिश्चित, जोखिम भरा | Unstable, insecure, risky | Secure, stable, safe |
Preclude | To prevent or make impossible | रोकना, असंभव करना | Prevent, hinder, prohibit | Allow, permit, enable |
Prodigal | Wastefully extravagant | फिजूलखर्च | Extravagant, wasteful, lavish | Frugal, thrifty, economical |
Prolific | Producing much or many | उत्पादक, प्रचुर | Productive, fertile, abundant | Unproductive, barren, scarce |
Propensity | Natural tendency or inclination | प्रवृत्ति | Tendency, inclination, proclivity | Aversion, disinclination |
Prudent | Wise, careful | समझदार, सावधान | Cautious, judicious, sensible | Reckless, careless, imprudent |
Pugnacious | Eager to fight, aggressive | झगड़ालू | Combative, belligerent, quarrelsome | Peaceful, friendly, amicable |
Rancor | Bitter resentment | विद्वेष, कटुता | Animosity, bitterness, hostility | Goodwill, friendliness, harmony |
Rebuke | Sharp criticism or reprimand | फटकार, डांट | Reprimand, scold, chastise | Praise, compliment, commend |
Recalcitrant | Resistant to authority | अड़ियल, विद्रोही | Defiant, rebellious, obstinate | Compliant, obedient, cooperative |
Rectify | To correct or make right | सुधार करना | Correct, amend, fix | Worsen, damage, ruin |
Reticent | Reserved, reluctant to speak | संकोची, कम बोलने वाला | Taciturn, silent, reserved | Talkative, forthcoming, open |
Reverence | Deep respect or admiration | श्रद्धा, सम्मान | Respect, veneration, admiration | Disrespect, contempt, scorn |
Rhetoric | Persuasive speech or writing | वाक्पटुता | Eloquence, oratory, persuasion | Plainness, simplicity |
Sagacious | Wise, shrewd | बुद्धिमान, चतुर | Wise, astute, discerning | Foolish, ignorant, unwise |
Salubrious | Healthy, beneficial | स्वास्थ्यवर्धक | Wholesome, beneficial, healthy | Unhealthy, harmful, detrimental |
Sanguine | Optimistic, cheerful | आशावादी | Optimistic, buoyant, confident | Pessimistic, gloomy, despondent |
Scrupulous | Careful, principled | सावधान, ईमानदार | Meticulous, conscientious, diligent | Careless, negligent, dishonest |
Sporadic | Occasional, irregular | छिटपुट, अनियमित | Intermittent, infrequent, scattered | Regular, frequent, continuous |
Stagnant | Inactive, not progressing | स्थिर, रुका हुआ | Dormant, sluggish, idle | Active, flowing, dynamic |
Strident | Loud, harsh | तीखा, कर्कश | Harsh, grating, shrill | Soft, gentle, soothing |
Superfluous | Unnecessary, excessive | अनावश्यक, अतिरिक्त | Excess, redundant, unnecessary | Necessary, essential, required |
Tacit | Implied, unspoken | निहित, मौन | Implied, unspoken, inferred | Explicit, stated, expressed |
Tenacious | Persistent, determined | दृढ़, हठी | Persistent, resolute, steadfast | Weak, yielding, irresolute |
Transient | Short-lived, temporary | अस्थायी, क्षणिक | Fleeting, temporary, ephemeral | Permanent, lasting, enduring |
Ubiquitous | Present everywhere | सर्वव्यापी | Omnipresent, pervasive, widespread | Rare, scarce, limited |
Venerate | To respect deeply | सम्मान करना, पूजना | Revere, worship, admire | Disrespect, despise, scorn |
Verbose | Wordy, using too many words | शब्दाडंबरपूर्ण | Wordy, loquacious, prolix | Concise, succinct, brief |
Vindicate | To clear from blame | दोषमुक्त करना | Justify, exonerate, absolve | Blame, accuse, condemn |
Wary | Cautious, careful | सावधान, सतर्क | Cautious, vigilant, prudent | Careless, reckless, heedless |
Zealous | Enthusiastic, passionate | उत्साही, जोशीला | Ardent, fervent, eager | Apathetic, indifferent, unenthusiastic |