Notes - Antonyms - NDA English

Antonyms (Opposite Words)

In the NDA English paper, the vocabulary section heavily tests your knowledge of Antonyms. You will be given a sentence with an underlined word and asked to select the word most opposite in meaning from the given options.

Pro Tip: Always read the full sentence. A word can have multiple meanings depending on its context. The antonym must reflect the opposite of the word in that specific context.

Important High-Frequency Words

Below is a curated list of high-frequency words often asked in NDA and other defense exams.

Adjective Abundant
Antonym: Scarce, Meager
Meaning: Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.
Verb Ameliorate
Antonym: Worsen, Deteriorate
Meaning: To make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.
Adjective Audacious
Antonym: Timid, Cowardly
Meaning: Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
Adjective Barren
Antonym: Fertile, Productive
Meaning: (of land) too poor to produce much or any vegetation.
Adjective Capricious
Antonym: Stable, Consistent
Meaning: Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
Noun Consensus
Antonym: Disagreement, Discord
Meaning: A general agreement.
Adjective Diligent
Antonym: Lazy, Lethargic
Meaning: Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work.
Adjective Ephemeral
Antonym: Permanent, Eternal
Meaning: Lasting for a very short time.
Adjective Frugal
Antonym: Extravagant, Wasteful
Meaning: Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
Adjective Garrulous
Antonym: Taciturn, Reticent
Meaning: Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
Adjective Hostile
Antonym: Friendly, Amiable
Meaning: Unfriendly; antagonistic.
Adjective Inevitable
Antonym: Avoidable, Evadable
Meaning: Certain to happen; unavoidable.
Verb Mitigate
Antonym: Aggravate, Intensify
Meaning: Make less severe, serious, or painful.
Adjective Obscure
Antonym: Clear, Prominent
Meaning: Not discovered or known about; uncertain.
Verb Placate
Antonym: Enrage, Provoke
Meaning: Make (someone) less angry or hostile.
Noun Zenith
Antonym: Nadir, Bottom
Meaning: The time at which something is most powerful or successful.

Strategies to Solve Antonym Questions

Analyze the Context: The word 'Fast' in 'He ran fast' (Antonym: Slowly) is different from 'Fast' in 'She observed a fast' (Antonym: Feast).
Identify Part of Speech: The antonym of a noun is generally a noun, of an adjective is an adjective, etc. Eliminate options that don't match the part of speech.
Use Root Words: Knowing common prefixes (un-, in-, dis-, a-, anti-) and suffixes helps deduce meaning and opposites.
Eliminate Synonyms: Test setters often include synonyms of the given word in the options to confuse candidates. Eliminate words that mean the same thing.

Practice Questions - Antonyms - NDA English

Practice Questions: Antonyms

Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words or groups of words. Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and acts as its antonym.

Practice Set (20 Questions)

1. His views on the subject are very obscure.

(a) transparent
(b) obvious
(c) explicit
(d) concealed

Answer: (b) obvious

'Obscure' means not clear or difficult to understand. 'Obvious' means easily perceived or understood, making it the perfect antonym in this context. While 'transparent' and 'explicit' are close, 'obvious' is the direct opposite of a thought being mentally obscure.

2. The committee reached a consensus on the new policy.

(a) disagreement
(b) harmony
(c) treaty
(d) settlement

Answer: (a) disagreement

'Consensus' means a general agreement among a group. 'Disagreement' is the direct opposite of agreement.

3. She gave a lucid explanation of the complex theorem.

(a) confusing
(b) brilliant
(c) detailed
(d) rapid

Answer: (a) confusing

'Lucid' means expressed clearly or easy to understand. The opposite is 'confusing'.

4. The general's strategy was considered quite audacious.

(a) bold
(b) cowardly
(c) intelligent
(d) innovative

Answer: (b) cowardly

'Audacious' means showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks. 'Cowardly' is its exact opposite. 'Bold' is a synonym, intended to confuse.

5. The village experienced an abundant harvest this year.

(a) sufficient
(b) scarce
(c) huge
(d) poor

Answer: (b) scarce

'Abundant' means existing in large quantities; plentiful. 'Scarce' means insufficient for the demand, serving as the correct antonym.

6. The artist is known for his eccentric behavior.

(a) strange
(b) normal
(c) peculiar
(d) artistic

Answer: (b) normal

'Eccentric' means unconventional and slightly strange. 'Normal' or ordinary is the opposite.

7. Government policies often try to mitigate the effects of poverty.

(a) aggravate
(b) alleviate
(c) ease
(d) lessen

Answer: (a) aggravate

'Mitigate' means to make less severe or painful. 'Aggravate' means to make worse or more serious, making it the correct antonym. The others are synonyms.

8. Her frugal lifestyle allowed her to save a lot of money.

(a) thrifty
(b) extravagant
(c) cautious
(d) miserly

Answer: (b) extravagant

'Frugal' means economical or sparing in regard to money. 'Extravagant' describes someone lacking restraint in spending money, representing its opposite.

9. The young man's garrulous nature annoyed his quiet friends.

(a) talkative
(b) sociable
(c) reticent
(d) loud

Answer: (c) reticent

'Garrulous' means excessively talkative. 'Reticent' means not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily (quiet/reserved).

10. The meeting was cancelled due to the hostile attitude of the delegates.

(a) friendly
(b) belligerent
(c) violent
(d) aggressive

Answer: (a) friendly

'Hostile' means unfriendly or antagonistic. 'Friendly' is the direct opposite. The other three options are synonyms.

11. His remarks were derogatory towards the administration.

(a) insulting
(b) complimentary
(c) critical
(d) degrading

Answer: (b) complimentary

'Derogatory' means showing a critical or disrespectful attitude. 'Complimentary' means expressing a compliment or praise, making it the antonym.

12. Nature's beauty is truly ephemeral, like a blooming flower.

(a) eternal
(b) passing
(c) temporary
(d) fading

Answer: (a) eternal

'Ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time. 'Eternal' means lasting forever without end.

13. The ruler was known for his capricious decisions.

(a) arbitrary
(b) steadfast
(c) fickle
(d) unpredictable

Answer: (b) steadfast

'Capricious' means given to sudden and unaccountable changes of behavior. 'Steadfast' means resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

14. The land near the river was completely barren.

(a) empty
(b) productive
(c) desolate
(d) deserted

Answer: (b) productive

'Barren' means too poor to produce much or any vegetation. 'Productive' (or fertile) is the antonym.

15. He tried to placate the angry customer with a refund.

(a) appease
(b) pacify
(c) enrage
(d) soothe

Answer: (c) enrage

'Placate' means to make someone less angry. 'Enrage' means to make someone very angry.

16. The athlete has reached the zenith of his career.

(a) pinnacle
(b) climax
(c) acme
(d) nadir

Answer: (d) nadir

'Zenith' is the highest point or peak. 'Nadir' is the lowest point or bottom.

17. A good student is always diligent in his studies.

(a) lazy
(b) hardworking
(c) active
(d) attentive

Answer: (a) lazy

'Diligent' means showing care and conscientiousness in one's work. 'Lazy' is the direct opposite.

18. Their attempt to ameliorate the living conditions failed.

(a) improve
(b) worsen
(c) better
(d) elevate

Answer: (b) worsen

'Ameliorate' means to make something bad or unsatisfactory better. 'Worsen' is the straightforward antonym.

19. The speaker's argument was completely fallacious.

(a) truthful
(b) deceptive
(c) wrong
(d) illogical

Answer: (a) truthful

'Fallacious' means based on a mistaken belief (false/misleading). 'Truthful' or valid is the opposite.

20. He is an indolent worker who relies on his team.

(a) sluggish
(b) energetic
(c) inactive
(d) torpid

Answer: (b) energetic

'Indolent' means wanting to avoid activity or exertion (lazy). 'Energetic' is the opposite.

Previous Year Questions - Antonyms - NDA English

Antonyms (Previous Year Questions)

Directions: The following 20 questions are compiled from previous years' NDA English question papers. These highlight the actual difficulty level and context-based vocabulary tested by UPSC.

Important PYQs

NDA 2023 (II)

1. He gave a laconic reply.

(a) concise
(b) garrulous
(c) abrupt
(d) brief

Answer: (b) garrulous

'Laconic' means using very few words (brief). The direct opposite is 'garrulous', which means excessively talkative.

NDA 2023 (I)

2. The leader's impetuous behavior caused the problem.

(a) rash
(b) careful
(c) impulsive
(d) hasty

Answer: (b) careful

'Impetuous' means acting or done quickly without thought or care (rash). The opposite is acting 'careful'.

NDA 2022 (II)

3. His callous attitude towards the suffering was shocking.

(a) sympathetic
(b) cruel
(c) apathetic
(d) indifferent

Answer: (a) sympathetic

'Callous' means showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others. 'Sympathetic' (showing pity and sorrow) is the opposite.

NDA 2022 (I)

4. The team's victory was quite unexpected.

(a) sudden
(b) predicted
(c) startling
(d) shocking

Answer: (b) predicted

'Unexpected' means not regarded as likely to happen. 'Predicted' means stated that a specified event will happen in the future, thus acting as the opposite.

NDA 2021 (II)

5. Her argument was completely spurious.

(a) false
(b) genuine
(c) artificial
(d) fake

Answer: (b) genuine

'Spurious' means not being what it purports to be (false/fake). 'Genuine' (truly what something is said to be) is its antonym.

NDA 2021 (I)

6. He has a profound knowledge of the subject.

(a) deep
(b) shallow
(c) intense
(d) extreme

Answer: (b) shallow

'Profound' means very great or intense, showing great knowledge or insight (deep). 'Shallow' means lacking depth.

NDA 2020 (I & II)

7. The king was magnanimous in victory.

(a) generous
(b) selfish
(c) noble
(d) chivalrous

Answer: (b) selfish

'Magnanimous' means generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival. 'Selfish' (lacking consideration for others) is the antonym.

NDA 2019 (II)

8. Her remarks were highly inflammatory.

(a) provocative
(b) soothing
(c) incendiary
(d) hostile

Answer: (b) soothing

'Inflammatory' means intended to arouse angry or violent feelings. 'Soothing' means having a gently calming effect.

NDA 2019 (I)

9. His clandestine affairs were finally brought to light.

(a) secret
(b) open
(c) covert
(d) hidden

Answer: (b) open

'Clandestine' means kept secret or done secretively. The antonym is 'open' or public.

NDA 2018 (II)

10. The teacher's stringent rules frustrated the students.

(a) strict
(b) lenient
(c) severe
(d) rigid

Answer: (b) lenient

'Stringent' means strict, precise, and exacting. 'Lenient' means more merciful or tolerant than expected.

NDA 2018 (I)

11. Water is indispensable for life.

(a) essential
(b) superfluous
(c) necessary
(d) crucial

Answer: (b) superfluous

'Indispensable' means absolutely necessary. 'Superfluous' means unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

NDA 2017 (II)

12. The artist lived a very solitary life.

(a) lonely
(b) isolated
(c) gregarious
(d) deserted

Answer: (c) gregarious

'Solitary' means done or existing alone. 'Gregarious' refers to a person fond of company or sociable.

NDA 2017 (I)

13. The manager is inflexible regarding the deadline.

(a) obstinate
(b) yielding
(c) rigid
(d) stubborn

Answer: (b) yielding

'Inflexible' means unwilling to change or compromise. 'Yielding' means giving way to arguments or demands.

NDA 2016 (II)

14. The food at the party was completely insipid.

(a) tasteless
(b) spicy
(c) tasty
(d) flat

Answer: (c) tasty

'Insipid' means lacking flavor. The best antonym from the options is 'tasty' ('spicy' isn't a direct antonym for tasteless, but tasty is).

NDA 2016 (I)

15. She felt repelled by the new movie.

(a) disgusted
(b) revolted
(c) attracted
(d) sickened

Answer: (c) attracted

'Repelled' means driven away or feeling intense distaste. 'Attracted' means drawn to something.

NDA 2015 (II)

16. The proposal was completely viable.

(a) feasible
(b) impossible
(c) workable
(d) practical

Answer: (b) impossible

'Viable' means capable of working successfully; feasible. 'Impossible' (or unfeasible) is its opposite.

NDA 2015 (I)

17. They offered a very lucrative job deal.

(a) profitable
(b) unprofitable
(c) rewarding
(d) money-making

Answer: (b) unprofitable

'Lucrative' means producing a great deal of profit. 'Unprofitable' is the direct antonym.

NDA 2014 (II)

18. The negotiations were incredibly tedious.

(a) boring
(b) monotonous
(c) exciting
(d) dull

Answer: (c) exciting

'Tedious' means too long, slow, or dull (tiresome). 'Exciting' is its opposite.

NDA 2014 (I)

19. The sudden noise made the horse docile.

(a) gentle
(b) wild
(c) obedient
(d) submissive

Answer: (b) wild

'Docile' means ready to accept control or instruction (submissive/gentle). 'Wild' (or unruly) is its antonym.

NDA 2013 (II)

20. The decision was very auspicious.

(a) favorable
(b) unpromising
(c) propitious
(d) lucky

Answer: (b) unpromising

'Auspicious' means conducive to success; favorable. 'Unpromising' (or inauspicious/ominous) is its opposite.

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