Important List: Paronyms | SSC CGL Tier 2 - Study Material, Online Tests, Previous Year PDF Download

Introduction

A Paronym refers to words that share a resemblance in their derivation or form but possess distinct meanings. In essence, paronyms may denote words connected by a similarity in form or origin.

• The disparity between Confused words and Paronyms lies in their differences regarding spelling, pronunciation, and root word association. Confused words diverge from each other in both spelling and pronunciation, such as "affect" and "effect," but they do not necessarily come from the same root word.
• On the other hand, Paronyms not only differ in spelling and pronunciation but also stem from a common root word. For example, "recollect" and "remember" are considered paronyms as they share a common root word, which in this case is "memory."

Here are some examples of Paronyms:

1. Adjacent - Adjoining

Adjacent = laying near.

• Eg: They were allowed to write examination.

Adjoining = next

• Eg: The post office adjoins the main road.

2. Ancient - Antiquated

Ancient = old in time.

• Eg: I am very interested in ancient Telugu Literature.

Antiquated = old in fashion.

• Eg: The Aryans are antiquated people.

3. Artist - Artiste

Artist = an expert in fine arts.

• Eg: Ravi Varma is a great artist.

Artiste = an actor by profession.

• Eg: Nagarjuna is a popular film artiste.

4. Corporal - Corporeal

Corporal = bodily, physically.

• Eg: Many countries have abolished corporal punishment.

Corporeal = material, tangible.

• Eg: It is very foolish to run after corporeal pleasures.

5. Imaginary - Imaginative

Imaginary = unreal.

• Eg: Modern man is living in imaginary world.

Imaginative =Creative.

• Eg: John Keats was a great imaginative poet.

6. Industrial - Industrious.

Industrial = relating to industry.

• Eg: India has achieved tremendous industrial progress.

Industrious = hardworking.

• Eg: Ramya is an industrious girl.

7. Sensitive - Sensitive

Sensitive = easily affected, emotional.

• Eg: Wordsworth was a sensitive poet.

Sensible = reasonable.

• Eg: Rani is always sensible of her mother’s love and affection.

8. Sociable - Social

Sociable = friendly.

• Eg: Uma is a sociable woman.

Social = relating to society.

• Eg: We must work hard to combat social evils.

9. Popular - Populous

Popular = famous.

• Eg: Jesudas is a popular singer.

Populous = crowded

• Eg: China is a populous country.

10. Artful - Artistic.

Artful =cunning or clever.

• Eg: I dislike his artful nature.

Artistic = having aesthetic qualities.

• Eg: Mani Ratnam is an artistic film director.

11. Destination - Destiny

Destination = goal.

• Eg: They reached their destination in the evening.

Destiny = fate.

• Eg: Nobody can stop destiny.

12. Estimate - Estimation- Esteem

Estimate = calculation.

• Eg: The estimate of the project is not finalized.

Estimation = opinion.

In my estimation, Subhash Chandra Bose was the greatest freedom fighter in India.

Esteem = respect.

• Eg: I have great esteem for Mother Teresa.

13. Barbarism - Barbarity.

Barbarism = uncivilized conditions.

• Eg: We still find barbarism in many parts of India.

Barbarity = cruelty.

• Eg: Some tribal people are notorious for their barbarity.

14. Completeness - Completion.

Completeness = perfection.

• Eg: None of us can achieve completeness in our field of study.

Completion = the act of ending or finishing.

• Eg: Rajesh always feel happy at the completion of every new task.

15. Economic - Economical

Economic = relating to economics.

• Eg: No political party has tried to improve the economic conditions of our country.

Economical = inexpensive.

• Eg: I appreciate the economical ways of my friend.