Synonyms And Antonyms – Meanings

Before learning various words of synonyms and antonyms, let us first understand the meaning of both the words.

What is a Synonym?
A synonym is a word/phrase, the meaning of which is the same or nearly the same as another word or phrase. Words that are
synonyms are described as synonymous.
Synonym examples:
 Artful – Crafty
 Ballot – Poll
 Chorus – Refrain
 Deceptive – Misleading
 Enormous – Immense

What is an Antonym?
An antonym is a word/phrase that means the opposite of another word or phrase. Check the examples.
Antonym examples:
 Admire – Detest
 Bravery – Cowardice
 Crooked – Straight
 Dainty – Clumsy
 Economise – Waste

Synonyms And Antonyms List

Now that you are familiar with the meanings of both synonyms and antonyms, go through the table below comprising 400 plus
English Synonyms and Antonyms.

Synonyms And Antonyms List

Words Synonyms – Same Meaning Antonyms – Opposites

Abate Moderate, decrease Aggravate

Adhere Comply, observe Condemn, disjoin

Abolish Abrogate, annul Setup, establish

Acumen Awareness, brilliance Stupidity, ignorance

Abash Disconcert, rattle Uphold, Discompose

Absolve Pardon, forgive Compel, Accuse

Abjure Forsake, renounce Approve, Sanction

Abject Despicable, servile Commendable, Praiseworthy

Barbarous Frustrate, perplex Civilized

Bleak Grim, Austere Bright, Pleasant

Bewitching Alluring, charming Repulsive, Repugnant

Baroque Florid, gilt Plain, unadorned

Brittle Breakable, crisp Tough, Enduring

Barrier Barricade, Obstacle Link, Assistance

Baffle Astound, Faze Facilitate, Clarify

Bustle Commotion, Tumult Slowness, Quiet

Barren Desolate, Sterile Damp, Fertile

Bawdy Erotic, Coarse Decent, Moral

Bind Predicament Release

Batty Insane, silly Sane

Benevolent Benign, Generous Malevolent, Miserly

Befogged Becloud, Dim Clear headed, Uncloud

Base Vulgar, Coarse Summit, Noble

Benign Favorable, friendly Malignant, Cruel

Busy Active, Engaged Idle, Lazy

Bleak Austere, Blank Bright, Cheerful

Bold Adventurous Timid

Boisterous Clamorous, rowdy Placid, Calm

Blunt Dull, Insensitive Keen, Sharp

Callous obdurate, unfeeling Compassionate, Tender

Capable competent, able Incompetent, Inept

Calamity adversity, misfortune Fortune

Calculating Canny, Devious Artless, honest

Calumny defamation, aspersion Commendation, Praise

Captivity imprisonment, confinement Freedom, Liberty

Captivate Charm, fascinate Disillusion offend

Chaste virtuous, pure Sullied, Lustful

Cease terminate, desist Begin, Originate

Compassion kindness, sympathy Cruelty, Barbarity

Chastise punish, admonish Cheer, encourage

Concede yield, permit Deny, reject

Comprise include, contain Reject, lack

Consent agree, permit Object Disagree

Concur approve, agree Differ, disagree

Consolidate solidify, strengthen Separate, Weaken

Consequence effect, outcome Origin, Start

Contempt scorn, disregard Regard, Praise

Conspicuous prominent, obvious Concealed, hidden

Contrary dissimilar, conflicting Similar, Alike

Contradict deny, oppose Approve, Confirm

Callous Insensitive, indurated Kind, merciful

Cement Plaster, mortar Disintegrate

 Clandestine Covert, furtive Open, Legal

Cheap Competitive, Inexpensive Dear, unreasonable

Coarse Bawdy, Boorish Fine, Chaste

Classic Simple, Typical Romantic, Unusual

Compact Bunched, thick Loose, Diffuse

Comic Clown, Jester Tragic, tragedian

Conceit Egotism, Immodesty Modesty

Compress Abbreviate, Shrink Amplify, Expand

Condemn Castigate, Chide Approve, Praise

Concord Agreement, accord Discord

Consolidate Centralize, Fortify Weaken

Confident Bold, Undaunted Diffident, cowardly

Creation Formation, foundation Destruction

Courtesy Generosity, Reverence Disdain, Rudeness

Cunning Acute, Smart Naive, Coarse

Decipher interpret, reveal Misinterpret, distort

Decay Collapse, decompose Flourish, Progress

Deceit deception, artifice Veracity, Sincerity

Defray spend, pay Disclaim, Repudiate

Defile contaminate, pollute Purify, sanctity

Demolish Ruin, devastate Repair, construct

Deliberate cautious, intentional Rash, Sudden

Deride mock, taunt Inspire, Encourage

Deprive despoil, divest Restore, Renew

Dissuade Remonstrate, Counsel Insite, Persuade

Disdain detest, despise Approve, praise

Dense Opaque, piled Sparse, brainy

English Synonyms And Antonyms Words – Sample Questions

To understand the prominence of synonyms and antonyms in the English language section of various competitive exams, it is important to know
the type of questions asked in the examination, based on the same.
Hence, given below are sample questions on synonyms and antonyms asked in the English language section of various government
examinations:
Directions – From the given options, choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the highlighted words in the paragraphs given below. 
Q.1. .. in the coming decades will likely see more intense clustering of jobs, innovation and productivity in a smaller number of bigger cities and
city-regions.

1. Concentrated

2. Forceful

3. Passionate 

4. Energetic
Answer (1) Concentrated
Q.2. Most of human history has been the Paleolithic period or the old stone age. The exponential change in the development of human
civilization came in the recent few centuries.

1. Great

2. Fast

3. Tremendous

4. Increasing
Answer (3) Tremendous
Q.3. “I can’t stand this any more,” said Lalit, noticing that Rustam did not relish Zuker’s conversation.

1. Gaiety

2. Savour

3. Vindicate

4. Desire
Answer (2) Savour
Directions – From the given options, choose the option that is the most opposite in the meaning to the highlighted words in the paragraphs given
below. 
Q.4. Neither the Gods nor the Kings have anything to say in a politically enlightened community.

1. Civilised

2. Uneducated

3. Stupid

4. Uncivilised
Answer (Uneducated)
Q.5. These bottles are harrowing. How could she spend so much money on something that is so drab?

1. Distressing

2. Attractive

3. Gruesome

4. Adorable
Answer (2) Attractive
Apart from the above-given MCQ type questions, synonyms and antonyms are asked in reading comprehension sections as well. Candidates can
go through the exercise on Synonyms Questions and Answers for practice and revision. 
Candidates will also enhance the vocabulary skills that will help them in descriptive sections such as Essay/Letter writing or precis writing.
Also, go through the questions and answers of other relevant topics of English Language covered in the syllabus of various competitive exams.