SSC CGL Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms and Spellings
Learn each word with its synonym and antonym. SSC uses one as a trap for the other.
Vocabulary in SSC CGL means four question types: synonyms (same meaning), antonyms (opposite meaning), homonyms (words that sound or look alike but mean different things) and spellings. The Tier 2 syllabus names all four, along with "their correct usage".
Vocabulary also decides cloze tests, comprehension and one-word substitution, so it lifts the whole English section. The method that works is learning words in pairs and families, not as a long alphabetical list.
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Words With Their Synonym and Antonym
Learn each word with both. An antonym question can carry the synonym as a wrong option, and the other way round.
Abundant
Meaning
More than enough
Synonym
Plentiful
Antonym
Scarce
Benevolent
Meaning
Kind and generous
Synonym
Charitable
Antonym
Malevolent
Candid
Meaning
Open and honest
Synonym
Frank
Antonym
Evasive
Diligent
Meaning
Hard-working and careful
Synonym
Industrious
Antonym
Lazy
Ephemeral
Meaning
Lasting a very short time
Synonym
Short-lived
Antonym
Permanent
Frugal
Meaning
Careful with money
Synonym
Thrifty
Antonym
Extravagant
Gregarious
Meaning
Fond of company
Synonym
Sociable
Antonym
Reserved
Hostile
Meaning
Unfriendly, aggressive
Synonym
Antagonistic
Antonym
Amicable
Lucid
Meaning
Clear and easy to understand
Synonym
Clear
Antonym
Obscure
Meagre
Meaning
Too small in amount
Synonym
Scanty
Antonym
Ample
Obstinate
Meaning
Refusing to change one's mind
Synonym
Stubborn
Antonym
Flexible
Prudent
Meaning
Careful and sensible
Synonym
Wise
Antonym
Reckless
Verbose
Meaning
Using too many words
Synonym
Wordy
Antonym
Concise
Zenith
Meaning
The highest point
Synonym
Peak
Antonym
Nadir
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abundant | More than enough | Plentiful | Scarce |
| Benevolent | Kind and generous | Charitable | Malevolent |
| Candid | Open and honest | Frank | Evasive |
| Diligent | Hard-working and careful | Industrious | Lazy |
| Ephemeral | Lasting a very short time | Short-lived | Permanent |
| Frugal | Careful with money | Thrifty | Extravagant |
| Gregarious | Fond of company | Sociable | Reserved |
| Hostile | Unfriendly, aggressive | Antagonistic | Amicable |
| Lucid | Clear and easy to understand | Clear | Obscure |
| Meagre | Too small in amount | Scanty | Ample |
| Obstinate | Refusing to change one's mind | Stubborn | Flexible |
| Prudent | Careful and sensible | Wise | Reckless |
| Verbose | Using too many words | Wordy | Concise |
| Zenith | The highest point | Peak | Nadir |
Look-Alike Words (Homonyms and Confusables)
Spelling and usage questions are built on pairs like these.
- Eminent / Imminent
- Eminent: famous and respected. Imminent: about to happen.
- Affect / Effect
- Affect is usually a verb (to influence). Effect is usually a noun (a result).
- Principal / Principle
- Principal: the head of a school, or main. Principle: a basic rule or belief.
- Stationary / Stationery
- Stationary: not moving. Stationery: paper, pens and other writing material.
- Council / Counsel
- Council: a group that makes decisions. Counsel: advice, or a lawyer.
Practice Questions
Original practice questions written for this page.
- 1
Practice question 1 (synonym): FRUGAL (a) generous (b) thrifty (c) poor (d) greedy
Answer: (b) thrifty. "Poor" is the trap: a frugal person spends carefully, which is a choice, not a lack of money.
- 2
Practice question 2 (antonym): VERBOSE (a) wordy (b) loud (c) concise (d) silent
Answer: (c) concise. "Wordy" is the synonym placed as a trap. "Silent" feels opposite but means no words at all, not few words.
- 3
Practice question 3 (antonym): EPHEMERAL (a) temporary (b) permanent (c) beautiful (d) fragile
Answer: (b) permanent. "Temporary" is a synonym, and "fragile" is a near-meaning that also does not fit.
- 4
Practice question 4 (usage): "The storm is ___; we should leave now." (a) eminent (b) imminent (c) immanent (d) emanent
Answer: (b) imminent, meaning about to happen. "Eminent" means distinguished. Read the sentence for the meaning before matching the spelling.
- 5
Practice question 5 (spelling): Choose the correctly spelt word. (a) Neccessary (b) Necessary (c) Necesary (d) Neccesary
Answer: (b) necessary: one c, double s.
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How SSC Tests Vocabulary, and the Trap
In an antonym question, one option is often a synonym of the given word. Candidates who half-know the word see a familiar meaning and pick it. In a synonym question, the trap is a word that is related but not equal, such as "poor" for frugal.
Two habits fix this. First, read the instruction again before answering: synonym or antonym. Second, when two options both seem related, ask which one could replace the word in a sentence without changing its meaning.
A Vocabulary Routine That Lasts
- checkLearn 10-15 new words a day, each with its meaning, synonym, antonym and one sentence
- checkGroup words by root: bene (good) and mal (bad) give benevolent and malevolent, benefit and malfunction
- checkKeep a separate list of look-alike pairs and revise it weekly
- checkPick up words from an English newspaper editorial, then check their meanings
- checkTest yourself in both directions: word to meaning, and meaning to word
FAQs
How do I prepare synonyms and antonyms for SSC CGL?expand_more
Learn each word with its meaning, one synonym, one antonym and a sentence. Group words by root, and revise in short daily sets rather than long weekly ones.
What vocabulary topics are in the SSC CGL syllabus?expand_more
The Tier 2 English syllabus names vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms and their correct usage, homonyms, and spellings (detecting mis-spelt words).
Is there an official SSC vocabulary list?expand_more
No. SSC does not publish a word list. Standard word lists and wide reading are the usual base.
Why do I get antonym questions wrong even when I know the word?expand_more
Usually because a synonym is placed among the options and gets picked by habit. Read the instruction again before marking the answer.
Next steps
- One Word Substitutionarrow_forward
- Idioms and Phrasesarrow_forward
- English Questionsarrow_forward
- Books & Study Materialarrow_forward
The whole Tier 1 syllabus in one timed, scored paper.