Synonyms Notes for SSC Exams
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
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Synonyms are words with similar meanings. A strong vocabulary helps you in synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, cloze test and reading comprehension, and synonym questions appear in every SSC English paper. These Synonyms notes for SSC give an organised alphabetical list of the most important synonyms with meanings, tips to choose the right answer, and practice questions with answers, in the style of a teacher's vocabulary revision sheet.
What Are Synonyms?
- Synonyms are different words with the same or nearly the same meaning: big - large, begin - start, help - assist.
- Exam instruction: "Choose the word similar in meaning to the given word."
- Synonyms differ slightly in strength and tone. Thin (neutral), slim (positive), skinny (negative).
- The same word can have different synonyms in different senses. Fair can mean just (a fair decision), light-coloured (a fair complexion) or moderate (a fair price).
Important Synonyms: A to C
| Word | Synonyms | Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|---|
| abandon | desert, forsake, leave, renounce | abolish | cancel, scrap, eliminate |
| abundant | plentiful, ample, copious | accelerate | quicken, speed up, hasten |
| adept | skilful, expert, proficient | adversary | enemy, opponent, rival |
| affluent | rich, wealthy, prosperous | alleviate | relieve, ease, reduce |
| ample | sufficient, enough, plentiful | ancient | old, archaic, antique |
| assist | help, aid, support | astute | shrewd, clever, sharp |
| barren | infertile, sterile, unproductive | benevolent | kind, generous, charitable |
| bold | brave, daring, fearless | brief | short, concise, succinct |
| candid | frank, honest, open | capable | able, competent, skilled |
| cease | stop, end, halt | commence | begin, start, initiate |
| conceal | hide, mask, veil | conquer | defeat, overcome, vanquish |
| crucial | vital, critical, decisive | curious | inquisitive, eager, odd |
Important Synonyms: D to H
| Word | Synonyms | Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|---|
| dangerous | risky, hazardous, perilous | decline | decrease, fall, deteriorate |
| delicate | fragile, frail, tender | diligent | hardworking, industrious, assiduous |
| dispute | quarrel, argument, controversy | eager | keen, enthusiastic, anxious |
| eminent | famous, distinguished, renowned | enormous | huge, immense, gigantic |
| essential | necessary, vital, indispensable | exhaust | tire, drain, consume |
| fatal | deadly, lethal, mortal | feeble | weak, frail, delicate |
| flourish | thrive, prosper, bloom | frugal | thrifty, economical, sparing |
| generous | liberal, charitable, lavish | gigantic | huge, colossal, enormous |
| gloomy | dark, dismal, depressed | hamper | hinder, obstruct, impede |
| hostile | unfriendly, antagonistic, aggressive | humble | modest, meek, simple |
Important Synonyms: I to O
| Word | Synonyms | Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|---|
| idle | lazy, inactive, unoccupied | immense | vast, huge, enormous |
| imminent | impending, near, forthcoming | inevitable | unavoidable, certain, inescapable |
| inquire | ask, investigate, probe | intricate | complex, complicated, elaborate |
| jovial | cheerful, merry, jolly | keen | eager, sharp, enthusiastic |
| lament | mourn, grieve, wail | lenient | merciful, tolerant, mild |
| liberate | free, release, set free | majestic | grand, splendid, stately |
| meagre | scanty, poor, insufficient | mediocre | average, ordinary, second-rate |
| obstinate | stubborn, headstrong, adamant | obscure | unclear, vague, hidden |
| odious | hateful, disgusting, repulsive | ominous | threatening, sinister, foreboding |
Important Synonyms: P to Z
| Word | Synonyms | Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|---|
| permit | allow, authorise, let | persist | continue, persevere, insist |
| pious | religious, devout, holy | prudent | wise, careful, cautious |
| rapid | fast, quick, swift | rebuke | scold, reprimand, reproach |
| reluctant | unwilling, hesitant, averse | scarce | rare, insufficient, meagre |
| sluggish | slow, lazy, inactive | sturdy | strong, robust, firm |
| tedious | boring, dull, tiresome | temporary | short-lived, transient, momentary |
| tranquil | calm, peaceful, serene | vacant | empty, void, unoccupied |
| vivid | bright, clear, lively | wary | cautious, alert, careful |
| yield | surrender, produce, give way | zeal | enthusiasm, passion, eagerness |
Synonym Clusters by Theme
| Theme | Words |
|---|---|
| Happy | glad, cheerful, joyful, jolly, merry, delighted, content |
| Sad | sorrowful, gloomy, miserable, dejected, melancholy |
| Brave | courageous, fearless, valiant, bold, heroic, gallant |
| Clever | smart, intelligent, shrewd, astute, sharp, ingenious |
| Poor | needy, destitute, penniless, indigent, impoverished |
| Rich | wealthy, affluent, prosperous, opulent |
| Angry | furious, irate, enraged, wrathful, indignant |
| Big | large, huge, enormous, gigantic, colossal, massive |
| Small | tiny, little, minute, petite, diminutive |
| Beautiful | pretty, lovely, handsome, gorgeous, elegant, attractive |
Tips to Solve Synonym Questions
- Read the entire sentence to find the sense in which the word is used.
- Try to guess the meaning from the root, prefix or suffix (benevolent = bene + volent = well + wishing).
- Eliminate opposite words and unrelated words first.
- If two options look similar, choose the one that fits the tone (formal or informal, positive or negative).
- Learn synonyms in clusters, and also learn the antonym of each word.
Practice Questions With Answers
- Synonym of ABUNDANT: Answer: Plentiful
- Synonym of CANDID: Answer: Frank
- Synonym of COMMENCE: Answer: Begin
- Synonym of CONCEAL: Answer: Hide
- Synonym of DILIGENT: Answer: Hardworking
- Synonym of FRUGAL: Answer: Thrifty
- Synonym of HAMPER: Answer: Hinder
- Synonym of IMMINENT: Answer: Impending
- Synonym of OBSTINATE: Answer: Stubborn
- Synonym of REBUKE: Answer: Scold
- Synonym of TRANQUIL: Answer: Calm
- Synonym of ZEAL: Answer: Enthusiasm
Revise with the Antonyms notes and the Phrasal Verbs notes, and practise with our previous year papers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym?
A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, big - large, begin - start, quick - fast. Synonyms are asked in the vocabulary section of SSC exams as "choose the word similar in meaning to the given word".
Are synonyms always exactly equal in meaning?
No. Most synonyms differ slightly in tone, strength, formality or usage. For example, "thin", "slim", "slender" and "skinny" are synonyms, but "skinny" has a negative sense while "slim" is positive. In exams, choose the word closest in meaning in the given context.
How are synonym questions asked in SSC exams?
A word is usually highlighted in a sentence or given alone, and four options are provided. You must pick the word with the closest meaning. If the word has more than one meaning, the sentence tells you which one is required.
Which synonyms are repeated most in SSC exams?
Words such as abandon, abundant, accelerate, adept, ample, assist, brief, candid, cease, commence, conceal, diligent, eminent, flourish, frugal, hinder, hostile, immense, obstinate, persist, prudent, rebuke, scarce, tranquil and vivid appear frequently. The lists in these notes cover them.
What are the synonyms of "abandon"?
Desert, forsake, leave, give up, renounce, discard. "He abandoned his plan" means he gave it up.
What are the synonyms of "abundant"?
Plentiful, ample, copious, rich, profuse, bountiful, lavish.
What are the synonyms of "brief"?
Short, concise, succinct, compact, terse, momentary (for time).
What are the synonyms of "commence"?
Begin, start, initiate, launch, embark upon, set about.
What are the synonyms of "conceal"?
Hide, cover, mask, veil, camouflage, secrete, suppress.
What are the synonyms of "diligent"?
Hardworking, industrious, assiduous, sedulous, persevering, careful, studious.
What are the synonyms of "obstinate"?
Stubborn, headstrong, adamant, inflexible, obdurate, pig-headed, unyielding.
What are the synonyms of "frugal"?
Thrifty, economical, sparing, careful, prudent, provident.
How can I learn synonyms quickly?
Learn words in clusters (all words meaning "happy" together), use a word-meaning-example notebook, group by theme (positive qualities, negative qualities, size, speed), revise 15 to 20 words a day and use them in your own sentences. Reading newspapers also helps you see words in context.
What is the difference between a synonym and a homonym?
Synonyms are different words with similar meanings (smart - clever). Homonyms are words that sound or look alike but have different meanings (bank of a river - bank for money; right - write). Homophones sound alike but are spelt differently (their - there).
How should I prepare synonyms for SSC exams?
Use the word lists in these notes, learn their antonyms too, solve previous year vocabulary questions, take daily vocabulary quizzes, and maintain a notebook of wrong answers. Using words in sentences makes retention much better.
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.