WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2023
1. Choose the word which is the antonym of ‘Chide’.
(A) Scold
(B) Chastise
(C) Praise
(D) Arraign
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Praise
Meaning: Chide means to scold, rebuke, or express disapproval of someone for a fault or mistake.
Antonyms: Praise, Commend, Applaud, Compliment
Exam Tip: Chide means to scold or rebuke. Therefore, its opposite is praise, which means to express approval or admiration. Words like scold, chastise, and arraign all have negative meanings and are not antonyms.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2022
2. The antonym of ‘Forgo’ is
A. Claim
B. Despise
C. Undergo
D. Remember
Answer & Explanation
Answer: A. Claim
Meaning: Forgo means to give up, do without, or voluntarily abstain from something.
Antonyms: Claim, Accept, Retain, Keep
Exam Tip: Forgo means to give up or refrain from having something. Its opposite is claim or accept, meaning to take or assert one’s right to something.
3. Choose the appropriate antonym of ‘Adore’.
A. Love
B. Like
C. Hate
D. Ignore
Answer & Explanation
Answer: C. Hate
Meaning: Adore means to love, admire, or cherish someone or something deeply.
Antonyms: Hate, Detest, Loathe, Despise
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2021
4. Add a suitable prefix to form the opposite of the word ‘capable’.
(A) Uncapable
(B) Noncapable
(C) Ill-capable
(D) Incapable
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (D) Incapable
5. The antonym of the word weird is
(A) Normal
(B) Casual
(C) Tired
(D) Worried
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (A) Normal
6. The antonym of the word superficial is
(A) Deep
(B) Artificial
(C) Apparent
(D) True
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (A) Deep
Meaning: Superficial means existing only on the surface or lacking depth, substance, or thoroughness.
Antonyms: Deep, Profound, Thorough, Substantial
Exam Tip: Superficial is often used to describe shallow knowledge, appearance, or understanding. Its opposite is deep or profound, indicating thoroughness and depth.
7. Choose the word in the option that is farthest in meaning to the capitalised word.
WINSOME
(A) Insipid
(B) Unattractive
(C) Prejudice
(D) Opposition
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Unattractive
Meaning: Winsome means charming, attractive, or appealing in a delightful way.
Antonyms: Unattractive, Unappealing, Repulsive, Disagreeable
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2020
8. The correct antonym of ‘Lecherous‘ is
(A) Passionate
(B) Dirty
(C) Nasty
(D) Chaste
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (D) Chaste
Meaning: Lecherous means having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire.
Antonyms: Chaste, Pure, Virtuous, Modest
Exam Tip: Lecherous has a negative connotation, referring to lustful or sexually immoral behavior. Its opposite is chaste, which means morally pure or abstaining from improper sexual conduct.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2019
9. Add a suitable prefix to form the opposite of the word ‘Balance’.
(A) Nonbalance
(B) Unbalance
(C) Disbalance
(D) Imbalance
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Imbalance
Meaning: Balance means a state of stability, equilibrium, or equal distribution.
Antonyms: Imbalance, disequilibrium, instability, disproportion.
Exam Tip: The standard English noun is imbalance. Although unbalance exists mainly as a verb (e.g., to unbalance someone), imbalance is the correct noun meaning the opposite of balance.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2018
10. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
Mary’s patience and serenity won the admiration of all who saw her.
(A) Holiness
(B) Placidity
(C) Agitation
(D) Equanimity
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Agitation
Meaning: Serenity means a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
Antonyms: Agitation, turmoil, anxiety, unrest.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2017
11. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The darkness covered the whole countryside.
(A) Silence
(B) Stillness
(C) Light
(D) Noise
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Light
Meaning: Darkness means the absence of light; a state of little or no illumination.
Antonyms: Light, brightness, illumination, radiance.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2016
12. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
People responded to the leader’s speech with shouts of ecstasy.
(A) Despondency
(B) Despair
(C) Disagreement
(D) Displeasure
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Despair
Meaning: Ecstasy means a feeling of overwhelming joy, delight, or extreme happiness.
Antonyms: Despair, misery, sorrow, dejection.
Exam Tip: Ecstasy denotes intense happiness, whereas despair means complete loss of hope. Don’t confuse it with disagreement or displeasure, which express difference of opinion or mild dissatisfaction rather than the opposite emotional state.
13. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The appearance of the stranger was forbidding.
(A) Warm
(B) Kind
(C) Friendly
(D) Amiable
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Amiable
Meaning: Forbidding means unfriendly, threatening, or causing fear or dislike.
Antonyms: Amiable, friendly, welcoming, approachable.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2015
14. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The crowd felt stupefied by the lecture.
(A) Engulfed
(B) Entertained
(C) Enthused
(D) Encouraged
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Enthused
Meaning: Stupefied means astonished, stunned, or mentally numb; unable to think or react clearly.
Antonyms: Enthused, stimulated, alert, invigorated.
Exam Tip: Stupefied suggests a state of mental dullness or shock. In the context of a lecture, the opposite is enthused, meaning filled with interest and excitement.
15. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The silence of the children was sinister.
(A) Catnap
(B) Cacophony
(C) Coarse
(D) Cruelty
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Cacophony
Meaning: Silence means the complete absence of sound or noise.
Antonyms: Cacophony, noise, uproar, clamour.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2014
16. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
His point was lost amid the cacophony.
(A) Music
(B) Discordance
(C) Silence
(D) Crowd
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Silence
Meaning: Cacophony means a harsh, unpleasant mixture of loud sounds or noises.
Antonyms: Silence, quietness, calm, stillness.
17. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The possibility of failure was imminent.
(A) Remote
(B) Inherent
(C) Immediate
(D) Perennial
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Remote
Meaning: Imminent means about to happen very soon; impending.
Antonyms: Remote, distant, unlikely, far-off.
Exam Tip: Imminent indicates that something is expected to happen very soon, whereas remote means unlikely or far away in time or possibility. Among the given options, remote is the correct antonym.
18. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
There is abundant scope for improvement.
(A) Ample
(B) Scarce
(C) Copious
(D) Eternal
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Scarce
Meaning: Abundant means available in large quantities; plentiful.
Antonyms: Scarce, insufficient, meagre, limited.
Exam Tip: Abundant, ample, and copious are all synonyms meaning plentiful. The only word expressing the opposite idea is scarce, meaning available in very small quantities.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2013
19. The opposite of ‘remote’ is
(A) High
(B) Less
(C) Far
(D) Near
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Near
Meaning: Remote means far away in distance, time, or relation.
Antonyms: Near, close, adjacent, nearby.
20. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
Transparency is needed in dealing with a matter of public interest.
(A) Haziness
(B) Trauma
(C) Turbulence
(D) Transition
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Haziness
Meaning: Transparency means openness, clarity, and the quality of being easy to understand or free from concealment.
Antonyms: Haziness, opacity, obscurity, ambiguity.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2012
21. Select the pair which is in opposition.
(A) Liquid – Solid
(B) Enough – Adequate
(C) Entice – Lure
(D) Excess – Surplus
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Liquid – Solid
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2011
22. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
Chaos reigned supreme at the football match.
(A) Order
(B) Confusion
(C) Anarchy
(D) Luck
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Order
Meaning: Chaos means complete disorder, confusion, or lack of organization.
Antonyms: Order, harmony, organization, discipline.
23. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The hubbub in the cities makes one tired and irritable.
(A) Roar
(B) Quiet
(C) Disorder
(D) Disturbance
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Quiet
Meaning: Hubbub means a loud noise caused by many people talking, shouting, or creating confusion.
Antonyms: Quiet, silence, calm, stillness.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2010
24. Select the pair in the following option which is set in opposition.
(A) Doggish — Canine
(B) Manly — Virile
(C) Divine — Infernal
(D) Earthly — Terrestrial
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Divine — Infernal
Check whether the two words are opposites or synonyms. Doggish–Canine, Manly–Virile, and Earthly–Terrestrial are synonym pairs, whereas Divine (heavenly, godly) and Infernal (hellish, devilish) are opposites.
25. Select the pair in the following option which is set in opposition.
(A) Pedant — Pedagogic
(B) Humid — Arid
(C) Erroneous — Faulty
(D) Horrible — Horrendous
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Humid — Arid
Humid means moist or containing a high amount of water vapour, whereas arid means extremely dry. The other pairs are either synonyms or closely related in meaning.
26. The opposite of remote in this sentence would be
(A) High
(B) Less
(C) Far
(D) Near
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Near
Meaning: Remote means far away in distance, time, or relation.
Antonyms: Near, close, adjacent, nearby.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2009
27. Choose the opposite of the following idiomatic expression:
To go to the dogs
(A) To turn over a new leaf
(B) To oil one’s own machine
(C) Be off one’s head
(D) To breathe one’s last
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) To turn over a new leaf
Meaning: To go to the dogs means to deteriorate, decline, or become ruined.
Antonyms: To turn over a new leaf, improve, reform, make a fresh start.
28. From the options choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined words in the following sentence:
The high-handed ways of the manager made him an enemy of the people.
(A) Submissive and friendly
(B) Ignorant
(C) Angry
(D) Impatient
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Submissive and friendly
Meaning: High-handed means arrogant, domineering, and using power without considering others’ feelings.
Antonyms: Submissive, humble, courteous, friendly.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2008
29. Select the pair among the following which is set in opposition.
(A) Gay : Animated
(B) Full : Replete
(C) Surmise : Fact
(D) Generation : Age
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Surmise : Fact
Surmise means a guess or assumption without definite proof, whereas fact means something known to be true. The other pairs are synonyms or closely related in meaning.
30. Select the pair among the following which is set in opposition.
(A) Wanton : Restrained
(B) Sardonic : Bitter
(C) Bright : Refulgent
(D) Fetch : Bring
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Wanton : Restrained
Wanton means uncontrolled, reckless, or undisciplined, whereas restrained means controlled or self-disciplined. The remaining pairs are synonyms or closely related in meaning.
31. Select the pair among the following which is set in opposition.
(A) Macabre : Eerie
(B) Abortive : Successful
(C) Secret : Covert
(D) Mock : Rally
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Abortive : Successful
Abortive means unsuccessful or failing to achieve the intended result, whereas successful means achieving the desired outcome. The other pairs are synonyms or closely related in meaning.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2006
32. Tick the exact opposite of the word given below:
Extravagance
(A) Rashness
(B) Meanness
(C) Prudence
(D) Excess
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Prudence
Meaning: Extravagance means the habit of spending money or using resources excessively or wastefully.
Antonyms: Prudence, thrift, economy, frugality.
Exam Tip: Extravagance is the opposite of prudence, which means careful, wise, and economical management of money or resources. Although meanness implies stinginess, prudence is the exact antonym in this context.
33. Tick the exact opposite of the word given below:
Humility
(A) Rudeness
(B) Vanity
(C) Pride
(D) Arrogance
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Arrogance
Meaning: Humility means the quality of being modest and free from excessive pride.
Antonyms: Arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, pride.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2005
34. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The boy wore a dismal look after having failed to clear the final examination.
(A) Despondent
(B) Solemn
(C) Beautiful
(D) Cheerful
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Cheerful
Meaning: Dismal means gloomy, sad, or depressing.
Antonyms: Cheerful, happy, joyful, bright.
35. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The liberal views of the leader did not find favour with a section of his party.
(A) Biased
(B) Prejudiced
(C) Conservative
(D) Backward
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Conservative
Meaning: Liberal means open-minded, progressive, and willing to accept change or new ideas.
Antonyms: Conservative, orthodox, traditional, reactionary.
36. Choose the opposite of the following idiomatic expression:
In a nutshell
(A) In the open
(B) In all its detail
(C) To throw in the sponge
(D) To put on paper
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) In all its detail
Meaning: In a nutshell means briefly or in a few words; in summary.
Antonyms: In all its detail, at length, comprehensively, elaborately.
37. Choose the opposite of the following idiomatic expression:
On no account
(A) With an ill grace
(B) In the open
(C) By all means
(D) By hook or by crook
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) By all means
Meaning: On no account means under no circumstances; absolutely not.
Antonyms: By all means, certainly, definitely, without hesitation.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2004
38. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
We had a rich diet there.
(A) Poor
(B) Plain
(C) Simple
(D) Lean
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Lean
Meaning: Rich (in the context of food) means containing a high amount of fat, butter, cream, or other nourishing ingredients.
Antonyms: Lean, light, low-fat, plain.
39. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
He had a sharp attack of fever.
(A) Sudden
(B) Mild
(C) Intermittent
(D) Slow
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Mild
Meaning: Sharp (in this context) means severe or intense.
Antonyms: Mild, slight, gentle, moderate.
40. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
He spoke in a whisper.
(A) Shout
(B) Murmur
(C) Rumble
(D) Roar
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Shout
Meaning: Whisper means to speak very softly or in a low voice.
Antonyms: Shout, yell, scream, bawl.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2003
41. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
He is very sagacious for such a young person.
(A) Foolish
(B) Bitter
(C) Voracious
(D) Veracious
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Foolish
Meaning: Sagacious means wise, intelligent, and showing good judgment.
Antonyms: Foolish, unwise, imprudent, senseless.
42. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
Parents should not belittle their children’s early attempts at drawing.
(A) Magnify
(B) Encourage
(C) Extol
(D) Flatter
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Extol
Meaning: Belittle means to make someone or something seem unimportant or to speak of them with little respect.
Antonyms: Extol, praise, commend, appreciate.
43. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
I find writing this book to be an odious task.
(A) Stimulating
(B) Satisfactory
(C) Nice
(D) Delightful
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Delightful
Meaning: Odious means extremely unpleasant, hateful, or disgusting.
Antonyms: Delightful, pleasant, enjoyable, agreeable.
44. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
Philosophical works are cerebral in nature and require much thought.
(A) Spiritual
(B) Intellectual
(C) Carnal
(D) Sensational
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Carnal
Meaning: Cerebral means intellectual; relating to the mind rather than physical desires or emotions.
Antonyms: Carnal, physical, sensual, bodily.
45. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The glitter and opulence of the ballroom took Cinderella’s breath away.
(A) Potency
(B) Glamour
(C) Poverty
(D) Squalor
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Poverty
Meaning: Opulence means great wealth, luxury, or richness.
Antonyms: Poverty, deprivation, destitution, penury.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2002
46. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The truck was travelling at a trot.
(A) At break-neck speed
(B) Slowly
(C) At a snail’s pace
(D) Leisurely
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) At break-neck speed
Meaning: At a trot means at a moderate or fairly quick pace, but not very fast.
Antonyms: At break-neck speed, at full speed, at top speed.
47. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
It was an arduous task.
(A) Difficult
(B) Problematic
(C) Effortless
(D) Fitting
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Effortless
Meaning: Arduous means requiring great effort; difficult and tiring.
Antonyms: Effortless, easy, simple, effortless.
48. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
Many people prefer a vegetarian diet.
(A) Desire
(B) Taste
(C) Abhor
(D) Like
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Abhor
Meaning: Prefer means to like or choose one thing more than another.
Antonyms: Abhor, dislike, detest, hate.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2001
49. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The gentleman had aristocratic manners.
(A) Coarse
(B) Democratic
(C) Base
(D) Plebeian
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Plebeian
Meaning: Aristocratic means belonging to or characteristic of the nobility; refined and of high social status.
Antonyms: Plebeian, common, ordinary, lowly.
50. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
The barber was a most loquacious man.
(A) Taciturn
(B) Reserved
(C) Quiet
(D) Tongue-tied
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Taciturn
Meaning: Loquacious means very talkative or fond of talking.
Antonyms: Taciturn, reticent, silent, uncommunicative.
51. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
We were served a rich fare in the dinner.
(A) Poor
(B) Plain
(C) Tasteless
(D) Unpleasant
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Plain
Meaning: Rich (in the context of food) means elaborate, luxurious, and containing a variety of rich ingredients.
Antonyms: Plain, simple, modest, uncomplicated.
52. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
He was rather reluctant to help me.
(A) Willing
(B) Ready
(C) Eager
(D) Inclined
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Willing
Meaning: Reluctant means unwilling or hesitant to do something.
Antonyms: Willing, eager, ready, agreeable.
WBCS Prelims Antonyms Questions 2000
53. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
This proposal seems practicable.
(A) Realistic
(B) Expensive
(C) Unfamiliar
(D) Unfeasible
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Unfeasible
Meaning: Practicable means capable of being done; feasible or workable.
Antonyms: Unfeasible, impracticable, impossible, unworkable.
54. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word:
His conduct has always been licentious.
(A) Controlled
(B) Uncontrolled
(C) Illegal
(D) Unofficial
Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Controlled
Meaning: Licentious means morally unrestrained; lacking self-control, especially in sexual or immoral behavior.
Antonyms: Controlled, restrained, disciplined, moral.
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