Worksheet Solutions: Synonyms & Antonyms | English Grammar Basic - Class 10 PDF Download

Q1: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning (synonym) to the words given in underline.  
(i) Autocratic
(a) Cooperative                                              
(b) Dictatorial
(c) Inspirational  
(d) Charitable
(e) None of these
Ans: (b)
The word 'autocratic means: despotic; using power in a cruel way or an unreasonable way; dictatorial.

(ii) Demonstrate
(a) Remonstrate  
(b) Show  
(c) Witness
(d) Complain
(e) None of these
Ans: (b)
The word 'demonstrate' means; to show something clearly by giving evidence; to show by your actions; display. Example: You need to demonstrate more self-control.

(iii) Defer
(a) Postpones    
(b) Different  
(c) Accept
(d) Disagree
(e) None of these
Ans: (a)
The word 'defer' means: postpone; to delay something until a later time; put off. Example: The department deferred the decision for six months.

(iv) Daring
(a) Brilliant    
(b) Energetic  
(c) Enthusiastic    
(d) Courageous
(e) None of these
Ans: (d)
The word 'daring' means: brave; willing to do dangerous or unusable thing; courageous. Example: The gallery was known for putting on daring exhibitions.

(v) Deliberate
(a) Purposeless      
(b) Perpetrate
(c) Intentional
(d) Intervention
(e) None of these
Ans: (c)
The word 'deliberate' means: intentional; planned done on purpose rather than by accident. Example: The speech was a deliberate attempt to embarrass the government.

Q2: Choose the word opposite in meaning (antonym) to the words given in underline.
(i) Abundance
(a) Scanty
(b) Tiny  
(c) Scarcity  
(d) Deficient
(e) None of these
Ans: (c)
The word 'abundance' means: a large quantity that is more than enough. The word 'scarcity' means: shortage; if there is scarcity of something there is not enough it and it is difficult to obtain it. Hence, the correct antonym would be 'scarcity'.  

(ii) Vice
(a) Fame                          
(b) Virtue    
(c) Fortune    
(d) Fate
(e) None of these
Ans: (b)
The word 'vice' means: evil or immoral behaviour; criminal activities that involve sex or drugs. Its antonym should be 'virtue' which means: a particular moral quality or habit. Example: Greed is a terrible vice; Wisdom is a virtue.

(iii) Provoke
(a) Soothe  
(b) Incite  
(c) Smoothen  
(d) Entice
(e) None of these
Ans: (a)
The word 'provoke' mean: to cause a particular reaction; goad. The word 'soothe' means: calm; mitigate; satisfy; relieve. Example: The announcement provoked a storm of protest.  

(iv) Unanimity
(a) Amity  
(b) Enmity    
(c) Disagreement  
(d) Dissatisfaction
(e) None of these
Ans: (c)
The word 'unanimity' means: complete agreement about something among a group of people. Its antonym should be 'disagreement'.

(v) Renowned
(a) Famous  
(b) Owned  
(c) Un owned  
(d) Unknown
(e) None of these
Ans: (d)
The word 'renowned' means: famous and respected; celebrated; noted. Its antonym should be 'unknown' which means: not famous or well known.

Q3: Read the following paragraph and answer the following question
“These bottles are harrowing. How could you spend so much money on something that is so drab? You should have called me and confirmed at least. This is what you always do!”
Which of the following words represents the antonym for the word in bold?
(a) Gruesome              
(b) Horrible            
(c) Attractive             
(d) Adorable
Ans: (c)

Q4: Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows,
Most of the human history has been the Paleolithic period or the old stone age. There is also a mesolithic period that comes about 20000 years ago. The exponential change in the development of the human civilization, however, came in the recent few centuries.
The word in the bold can be replaced by the following word without changing the meaning of the sentence.
(a) Tremendous             
(b) Fast                 
(c) Great             
(d) Increasing
Ans: (a)

Q5: What is the most appropriate antonym for the given word?
Extremist
(a) Absolutist
(b) Fanatic
(c) Zealot
(d) Radical
(e) Moderate
Ans: (e)
Key Points 

• "Extremist" is a person who holds extreme or fanatical political or religious views, particularly one who resorts to or advocates extreme action. 
  • Example - The extremist views of the group have led to several violent outbursts in the area.
• "Moderate", on the other hand, is a person who holds views that aren't extreme, they are generally reasonable and balanced. 
  • Example- His moderate approach to the situation enabled a smooth negotiation and solution.
• Hence, the option that is opposite in meaning to "Extremist" is 'Moderate'.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option (e)’.

Q6: What is the most appropriate antonym for the word?
Dismantle
(a) Construct
(b) Obfuscate
(c) Alienate
(d) Vacillate
(e) Elucidate
Ans: (a)
Key Points 

• "Dismantle" means to take apart, disassemble, or tear down.
  • Example- They had to dismantle the engine to find the problem.
• "Construct" means to build or form something by putting parts together. 
  • Example- They will construct a new school building next year.
• Hence, the option that is opposite in meaning to the given word is 'Construct'.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option (a)’.

Q7: What is the most appropriate antonym for the given word?
Precarity
(a) Lithe
(b) Stasis
(c) Desuetude
(d) Ubiquity
(e) Quiescence
Ans: (b)
Key Points 

• 'Precarity' is the state of being precarious or uncertain. 
  • Example- The precarity of his employment meant that he never knew if he would still have a job the following week.
• 'Stasis' is a state or condition in which things do not change or progress, implying a sense of balance or stability. 
  • Example- The nation is currently in a state of economic stasis.
• Hence, the option that is opposite in meaning to the given word 'Precarity' is 'Stasis'.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option (b)’.

Q8: What is the most appropriate synonym for the given word?
Assailant
(a) Tormentor
(b) Poltroon
(c) Altruist
(d) Philanthropist
(e) Verbose
Ans: (a)
Key Points 

• "Assailant" is a person who physically attacks another. It implies someone who initiates a hostile action. 
  • Example- The police are still on the lookout for the assailant involved in last night's brawl.
• "Tormentor" is someone who causes great physical or mental pain to others. Just like an assailant, a tormentor instigates harm or suffering. 
  • Example- Despite being seen as a friendly face, behind closed doors, he was a tormentor to his family.
• Hence, the option that is similar in meaning to the given word "Assailant" is 'Tormentor'.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option (a)’.

Q9: What is the most appropriate synonym for the word?
Disconsolate
(a) Mercurial
(b) Despondent
(c) Candid
(d) Frivolous
(e) Erratic
Ans: (b)
Key Points 

• "Disconsolate" means without any comfort or consolation, extremely unhappy or dejected.
  • Example- The team was disconsolate after losing the championship match.
• "Despondent" means in low spirits from loss of hope or courage. 
  • Example- The explorer became despondent after weeks of searching to no avail.
• Hence, the option that is similar in meaning to the given word is 'Despondent'.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option (b)’.