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CAT 2025 Lesson : Synonyms, Antonyms & Usage - Introduction
Many entrance tests have vocabulary-based questions. You can get direct questions (Synonyms and Antonyms) or indirect questions (Analogies). You can also get Word Usage questions, in which a sentence using the word will be given and you must select the appropriate meaning of that word from four or five questions. You may also be given a word or phrase, with multiple sentences using it, and you need to choose the one which is correct or incorrect. You can also be tested on the meaning of a word or idiom from an RC passage, though this is rare.
These questions test your vocabulary and contextual understanding of words, as well as knowledge of idioms. These questions have not occurred in CAT or XAT for the last few years (except for one-off questions within RCs). They do occur in most other entrance tests, such as NMAT, IIFT, SNAP, etc. Vocabulary also helps in RCs, Summary, Inference and Fill in the Blanks questions. It will be difficult to answer RC questions if you do not know many words, or misunderstand an idiomatic phrase. This makes this topic one of the most important ones for clearing the entrance tests.
The following are the possible types of questions:
1) Direct questions – choose the appropriate synonym or antonym of the given word from the options. Such questions come up in RCs as well, where the meaning of a word from the passage is asked.
2) Direct question (multiple) – choose the correct match of the words in column A and their synonyms/antonyms in column B.
3) Usage-based question – choose the option which best
- explains the meaning of the given word/phrase
- uses the word/phrase appropriately in a sentence
- provides the meaning of the word/phrase (a sentence may be given to help us understand the meaning)
4) Usage-based question (multiple) – match the meaning/phrase of a given word in one column with the sentence in the other
5) Analogies – you will be given two words with a relation and will have to choose another pair with with a similar relation. These words may be synonyms (baffle : confuse) or antonyms (diminutive : colossal). They can also differ in degree or intensity (cheerful : ecstatic), or have a different relation (e.g. cause and effect - articulate : well-spoken). You can get tough, uncommon words in such questions, so that you can solve them only if you know the meaning of the words.
In addition, Fill in the Blanks (single sentences with one or two one-word blanks), Cloze passages (paragraphs with multiple one or two-word blanks) and Sentence Replacement (choosing the appropriate sentence or part of a sentence form the given options) also test your vocabulary.
Reading is the best way to learn new words. Whenever you come across a new word or phrase, please look up its meaning as well as example sentences. Try reusing the word/phrase or note it down, so that you remember it. Understand the context and different usage styles. Many words have contextual usage, especially when paired with other words (e.g., run, run out, run down, run over). You should also focus on idiomatic or metaphorical phrases (e.g. sitting duck, shooting fish in a barrel, night owl, etc.).
Please go through the recommended reading list in the Reading Comprehension lesson for our recommendations. You can also read books, good quality newspapers and magazines or reputed websites. Try to read at a level which is slightly higher than your own.
Let us look at some examples of Synonyms and Antonyms questions.
These questions test your vocabulary and contextual understanding of words, as well as knowledge of idioms. These questions have not occurred in CAT or XAT for the last few years (except for one-off questions within RCs). They do occur in most other entrance tests, such as NMAT, IIFT, SNAP, etc. Vocabulary also helps in RCs, Summary, Inference and Fill in the Blanks questions. It will be difficult to answer RC questions if you do not know many words, or misunderstand an idiomatic phrase. This makes this topic one of the most important ones for clearing the entrance tests.
The following are the possible types of questions:
1) Direct questions – choose the appropriate synonym or antonym of the given word from the options. Such questions come up in RCs as well, where the meaning of a word from the passage is asked.
2) Direct question (multiple) – choose the correct match of the words in column A and their synonyms/antonyms in column B.
3) Usage-based question – choose the option which best
- explains the meaning of the given word/phrase
- uses the word/phrase appropriately in a sentence
- provides the meaning of the word/phrase (a sentence may be given to help us understand the meaning)
4) Usage-based question (multiple) – match the meaning/phrase of a given word in one column with the sentence in the other
5) Analogies – you will be given two words with a relation and will have to choose another pair with with a similar relation. These words may be synonyms (baffle : confuse) or antonyms (diminutive : colossal). They can also differ in degree or intensity (cheerful : ecstatic), or have a different relation (e.g. cause and effect - articulate : well-spoken). You can get tough, uncommon words in such questions, so that you can solve them only if you know the meaning of the words.
In addition, Fill in the Blanks (single sentences with one or two one-word blanks), Cloze passages (paragraphs with multiple one or two-word blanks) and Sentence Replacement (choosing the appropriate sentence or part of a sentence form the given options) also test your vocabulary.
Reading is the best way to learn new words. Whenever you come across a new word or phrase, please look up its meaning as well as example sentences. Try reusing the word/phrase or note it down, so that you remember it. Understand the context and different usage styles. Many words have contextual usage, especially when paired with other words (e.g., run, run out, run down, run over). You should also focus on idiomatic or metaphorical phrases (e.g. sitting duck, shooting fish in a barrel, night owl, etc.).
Please go through the recommended reading list in the Reading Comprehension lesson for our recommendations. You can also read books, good quality newspapers and magazines or reputed websites. Try to read at a level which is slightly higher than your own.
Let us look at some examples of Synonyms and Antonyms questions.
Example 1
Choose the synonym of : Usurp
[SNAP 2018]
(1) Abdicate
(2) Capitulate
(3) Adjudge
(4) Encroach
Encroach (meaning to intrude on someone's territory, rights, etc.) is the only option which is similar in meaning.
To abdicate means to voluntarily give up one's own position or rights (usually used in the context of the throne).
To capitulate is to yield or give up one's position, or to give in to someone's demands.
To adjudge is to make a judgement.
Therefore, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Encroach
[SNAP 2018]
(1) Abdicate
(2) Capitulate
(3) Adjudge
(4) Encroach
Solution
To usurp is to take over someone's position or power, usually by force. Another word for usurp is to supplant.Encroach (meaning to intrude on someone's territory, rights, etc.) is the only option which is similar in meaning.
To abdicate means to voluntarily give up one's own position or rights (usually used in the context of the throne).
To capitulate is to yield or give up one's position, or to give in to someone's demands.
Therefore, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Encroach
Example 2
Choose the option which is opposite in meaning to the word given below:
[SNAP 2013]
Restive
(1) Buoyant
(2) Placid
(3) Resistant
(4) Insolent
The option which is opposite in meaning is placid, which means even-tempered, calm, not easily excited. Note that the question is asking us to choose the word opposite in meaning. We need to be careful to read the question correctly.
Buoyant means being afloat or cheerful.
Resistant is used to describe someone who resists something or someone.
Insolent means rude or disrespectful.
Therefore, option (2) is the correct choice.
Answer: (2) Placid
[SNAP 2013]
Restive
(1) Buoyant
(2) Placid
(3) Resistant
(4) Insolent
Solution
Restive means unable to be still (e.g., the crowd was becoming restive as the band that they had come to listen to had not come after two hours.)The option which is opposite in meaning is placid, which means even-tempered, calm, not easily excited. Note that the question is asking us to choose the word opposite in meaning. We need to be careful to read the question correctly.
Buoyant means being afloat or cheerful.
Resistant is used to describe someone who resists something or someone.
Insolent means rude or disrespectful.
Therefore, option (2) is the correct choice.
Answer: (2) Placid
Example 3
Select one word/phrase which is closest in meaning to the given phrase.
[IIFT 2013]
Person who knows or can speak many languages
(1) Polyglot
(2) Potable
(3) Plebiscite
(4) Paramour
Potable means safe to drink (typically used as potable water). Note that the word is not portable (something which can be carried or transferred easily).
A plebiscite is an event in which all the members of an electorate vote.
A paramour is a lover.
Answer: (1) Polyglot
[IIFT 2013]
Person who knows or can speak many languages
(1) Polyglot
(2) Potable
(3) Plebiscite
(4) Paramour
Solution
A polyglot is a person who knows or speaks many languages. Therefore, option (1) should be the correct choice.Potable means safe to drink (typically used as potable water). Note that the word is not portable (something which can be carried or transferred easily).
A plebiscite is an event in which all the members of an electorate vote.
A paramour is a lover.
Answer: (1) Polyglot
Example 4
Create a word using all the jumbled letters as provided in the table below and identify its meaning
[IIFT 2017]
(1) Embarrassing situation
(2) An official license
(3) Charming, pleasant
(4) Completely sealed, isolated
This is mentioned in option (4), which is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Completely sealed, isolated
[IIFT 2017]
| E | T | E |
| I | H | R |
| M | C |
(1) Embarrassing situation
(2) An official license
(3) Charming, pleasant
(4) Completely sealed, isolated
Solution
The letters can be unscrambled to form the word hermetic. Hermetic means completely airtight, insulated from outside influence or tampering.This is mentioned in option (4), which is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Completely sealed, isolated
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