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CBSE · Class 10 · English

Synonyms and Antonyms

Standard difficulty · 20 questions · 40 marks

Name: Date: Score: ____ / 40

Write full answers in Sections B and C. Answers are on the last page — try every question first!

Section A — Choose the correct answer8 × 1 = 8 marks
1.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “hostile”.
  1. antagonistic
  2. lucid
  3. welcoming
  4. uneasy
2.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “endure”.
  1. watchful
  2. sympathy
  3. surrender
  4. bear
3.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “sincere”.
  1. false
  2. abolish
  3. triumphant
  4. honest
4.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “novice”.
  1. genuine
  2. expert
  3. see-through
  4. beginner
5.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “inferior”.
  1. petty
  2. lesser
  3. confident
  4. better
6.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “frugal”.
  1. extravagant
  2. sparing
  3. free
  4. adversity
7.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “trivial”.
  1. averse
  2. significant
  3. petty
  4. ordinary
8.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “fertile”.
  1. barren
  2. fruitful
  3. modest
  4. compassion
Section B — Short answer8 × 2 = 16 marks
9.
Write one synonym (a word with the same meaning) for each: “vigilant”, “lenient”.
10.
Write one synonym (a word with the same meaning) for each: “compassion”, “ridicule”.
11.
Write one synonym (a word with the same meaning) for each: “negligent”, “vivid”.
12.
Write one antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) for each: “abundant”, “conceal”.
13.
Write one antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) for each: “benevolent”, “candid”.
14.
Write one antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) for each: “meagre”, “abolish”.
15.
Rewrite each sentence, replacing the word in capitals with a word of OPPOSITE meaning: (a) Copying the same table ten times was TEDIOUS. (b) The jeweller confirmed that the pearl was GENUINE.
16.
Rewrite each sentence, replacing the word in capitals with a word of OPPOSITE meaning: (a) There are two VACANT seats in the last row. (b) The old man spoke in a FEEBLE voice.
Section C — Longer answers4 × 4 = 16 marks
17.
For the word “modest”: (a) write what it means, (b) give one synonym and one antonym, (c) use it in a sentence of your own.
18.
For the word “obstinate”: (a) write what it means, (b) give one synonym and one antonym, (c) use it in a sentence of your own.
19.
Sort these six words into three pairs of OPPOSITES: “reveal”, “opaque”, “conceal”, “fake”, “transparent”, “genuine”.
20.
Sort these six words into three pairs of words with the SAME meaning: “tolerant”, “gloomy”, “lenient”, “middling”, “dreary”, “mediocre”.
AmbifulWorksheets
Practice that never repeats
CBSE · Class 10 · English

Answer key

Synonyms and Antonyms · AW-10E-SYN-2026-V1 · For parents — fold back or tear off before handing the sheet to your child.

QAnswerWorking
1(a) antagonisticHostile: unfriendly and ready to argue or fight. Synonyms: unfriendly, aggressive, antagonistic.
2(d) bearEndure: to suffer something difficult patiently. Synonyms: bear, tolerate, withstand.
3(d) honestSincere: truly meaning what you say or feel. Synonyms: genuine, honest, heartfelt.
4(d) beginnerNovice: a person new to an activity. Synonyms: beginner, learner, newcomer.
5(d) betterInferior: lower in quality or rank. Opposites: superior, better.
6(a) extravagantFrugal: careful not to spend more money than necessary. Opposites: wasteful, extravagant.
7(b) significantTrivial: of little importance. Opposites: important, significant.
8(a) barrenFertile: able to produce many crops or plants. Opposites: barren, infertile.
9vigilant: watchful (or alert, attentive); lenient: mild (or tolerant, merciful)Any one listed synonym, or another word with the same meaning.
10compassion: sympathy (or kindness, pity); ridicule: mock (or deride, tease)Any one listed synonym, or another word with the same meaning.
11negligent: careless (or neglectful, lax); vivid: bright (or clear, striking)Any one listed synonym, or another word with the same meaning.
12abundant: scarce (or sparse); conceal: reveal (or expose)Any one listed antonym, or another word with the opposite meaning.
13benevolent: cruel (or malevolent); candid: guarded (or evasive)Any one listed antonym, or another word with the opposite meaning.
14meagre: ample (or plentiful); abolish: establish (or create)Any one listed antonym, or another word with the opposite meaning.
15(a) exciting (or interesting) (b) fake (or counterfeit)The sentence may need a small change to read well with the new word.
16(a) occupied (or full) (b) strong (or robust)The sentence may need a small change to read well with the new word.
17(a) Not talking much about your own abilities. (b) Synonym: humble (or unassuming, shy); antonym: boastful (or arrogant). (c) Sample: The modest champion thanked her coach first.Any sentence that uses the word correctly.
18(a) Refusing to change your mind. (b) Synonym: stubborn (or adamant, headstrong); antonym: flexible (or yielding). (c) Sample: The obstinate mule would not cross the bridge.Any sentence that uses the word correctly.
19conceal – reveal; transparent – opaque; genuine – fake—
20gloomy – dreary; lenient – tolerant; mediocre – middling—