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CSS 2010 — Synonyms & Antonyms (Solved)

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Options are shown where the original paper text survives; the other questions show the word and the correct answer. The 2010 list has 10 synonyms and 9 antonyms.

(a) Synonyms

1. ACRIMONIOUS

(a) Bitter (b) Provocative (c) Cheap (d) Volatile

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Answer: (a) Bitter

  • Urdu: تلخ، تند، کڑوا
  • Meaning (adj.): (of speech or a debate) angry and bitter
  • Synonyms: bitter, caustic, rancorous, acerbic, hostile, sharp
  • Antonyms: friendly, amicable, cordial, genial, harmonious
  • Sentences:
    1. The debate in the assembly turned acrimonious.
    2. After an acrimonious divorce, they never spoke again.

2. CALLIGRAPHY

(a) Computers (b) Handwriting (c) Blood pressure (d) Brain waves

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Answer: (b) Handwriting

  • Urdu: خطاطی، خوش نویسی
  • Meaning (n.): decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering
  • Synonyms: handwriting, penmanship, lettering, script, fine writing
  • Antonyms: scrawl, scribble, illegible writing
  • Sentences:
    1. Sadequain's calligraphy adorns Lahore Museum.
    2. Quranic calligraphy decorates the Faisal Mosque.

3. UNEQUIVOCAL

(a) Variable (b) Plain (c) Unmistakable (d) Negligent

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Answer: (c) Unmistakable

  • Urdu: غیر مبہم، صاف و صریح، دو ٹوک
  • Meaning (adj.): leaving no doubt; unambiguous
  • Synonyms: unmistakable, unambiguous, clear, explicit, categorical, plain
  • Antonyms: equivocal, ambiguous, vague, unclear, evasive
  • Sentences:
    1. Pakistan gave an unequivocal condemnation of the attack.
    2. Her answer was an unequivocal "no".
  • Note: plain is also close; most keys pick unmistakable. 🔁 Also asked in 2008.

4. DEMISE

(a) Conclude (b) End (c) Affection (d) Death

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Answer: (d) Death

  • Urdu: وفات، انتقال؛ خاتمہ
  • Meaning (n.): a person's death; the end or failure of something
  • Synonyms: death, passing, decease, end, collapse, downfall
  • Antonyms: birth, beginning, rise, inception, genesis
  • Sentences:
    1. The nation mourned the demise of the Quaid in 1948.
    2. The demise of the Soviet Union ended the Cold War.
  • Note: end is close; death is the primary meaning.

5. INCENDIARY

(a) Happy (b) Sneer (c) Causing fire (d) Jolly

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Answer: (c) Causing fire

  • Urdu: آتش گیر؛ اشتعال انگیز
  • Meaning (adj.): designed to cause fires; tending to stir up conflict
  • Synonyms: inflammatory, fire-raising, provocative, rabble-rousing, seditious
  • Antonyms: calming, soothing, pacifying, conciliatory
  • Sentences:
    1. Incendiary bombs set the warehouse alight.
    2. The cleric was arrested for incendiary speeches.

6. TOUCHSTONE

(a) Remind (b) A hall (c) At rest (d) Criterion

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Answer: (d) Criterion

  • Urdu: کسوٹی، معیار
  • Meaning (n.): a standard or criterion by which something is judged
  • Synonyms: criterion, standard, benchmark, yardstick, measure, test
  • Antonyms: (none)
  • Sentences:
    1. Merit should be the touchstone of every appointment.
    2. The 1973 Constitution is the touchstone of our democracy.
  • 🔁 Also asked in 2005.

7. VOID

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Answer: Emptiness

  • Urdu: خلا، خالی جگہ؛ کالعدم
  • Meaning (n./adj.): a completely empty space; (law) not valid
  • Synonyms: emptiness, vacuum, gap, vacancy, blank; (legal) null, invalid
  • Antonyms: fullness, plenitude; (legal) valid, binding
  • Sentences:
    1. His death left a void in Urdu literature.
    2. The court declared the contract null and void.

8. ESSAY (v.)

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Answer: Attempt

  • Urdu: کوشش کرنا
  • Meaning (v.): to attempt or try
  • Synonyms: attempt, try, endeavour, venture, undertake, strive
  • Antonyms: abandon, give up, neglect
  • Sentences:
    1. He essayed a new role in the film.
    2. She essayed a reply in broken French.
  • 🔁 Also asked in 2020.

9. KNACK

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Answer: Skill / talent

  • Urdu: ہنر، سلیقہ، مہارت
  • Meaning (n.): an acquired or natural skill at doing something
  • Synonyms: skill, talent, gift, flair, aptitude, facility
  • Antonyms: inability, incompetence, ineptitude, clumsiness
  • Sentences:
    1. She has a knack for learning languages.
    2. It takes a knack to fly a kite in strong wind.

10. APROPOS

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Answer: Opportune / fitting

  • Urdu: برمحل، موزوں؛ کے بارے میں
  • Meaning (adj./prep.): very appropriate to a situation; with reference to
  • Synonyms: fitting, opportune, apt, pertinent, relevant, regarding
  • Antonyms: inappropriate, irrelevant, untimely, inapt
  • Sentences:
    1. His quote from Iqbal was apropos.
    2. Apropos of the budget, the minister said nothing.
  • 🔁 Also asked in 2014.

(b) Antonyms

11. IGNOBLE

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Answer: Noble / honourable

  • Urdu: کمینہ، ذلیل، شرمناک
  • Meaning (adj.): not honourable in character or purpose
  • Synonyms: dishonourable, base, shameful, mean, low, despicable
  • Antonyms: noble, honourable, dignified, worthy, virtuous
  • Sentences:
    1. Betraying a friend is an ignoble act.
    2. Serving the poor is a noble cause.

12. MELANCHOLY

(a) Sorrowful (b) Happy (c) Forbidden (d) Brisk

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Answer: (b) Happy

  • Urdu: اداسی، افسردگی
  • Meaning (n./adj.): a deep, persistent sadness
  • Synonyms: sad, sorrowful, gloomy, dejected, mournful, despondent
  • Antonyms: happy, cheerful, joyful, exuberant, elated
  • Sentences:
    1. A melancholy silence filled the house after the funeral.
    2. The children were happy to see snow.
  • 🔁 Also asked in 2019.

13. OBLITERATE

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Answer: Preserve / create

  • Urdu: مٹا دینا، محو کرنا
  • Meaning (v.): to destroy utterly; to wipe out
  • Synonyms: destroy, erase, annihilate, wipe out, raze, efface
  • Antonyms: preserve, create, build, restore, construct
  • Sentences:
    1. The flood obliterated the village's mud houses.
    2. We must preserve our heritage sites.
  • 🔁 Also asked in 2019.

14. ALLY

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Answer: Foe

  • Urdu: حلیف، اتحادی
  • Meaning (n.): a state or person formally cooperating with another
  • Synonyms: partner, friend, supporter, associate, confederate, collaborator
  • Antonyms: foe, enemy, adversary, opponent, rival
  • Sentences:
    1. China is Pakistan's all-weather ally.
    2. Yesterday's foe can become tomorrow's ally.

15. VULGAR

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Answer: Exquisite / refined

  • Urdu: بازاری، بے ہودہ، گنوار
  • Meaning (adj.): lacking sophistication or good taste; crude
  • Synonyms: crude, coarse, tasteless, indecent, gaudy, uncouth
  • Antonyms: exquisite, refined, tasteful, elegant, cultured
  • Sentences:
    1. The drama was criticised for vulgar dialogue.
    2. The shawl had exquisite embroidery.

16. PRETEND

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Answer: Substantiate

  • Urdu: دکھاوا کرنا، بہانہ بنانا
  • Meaning (v.): to behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when it is not
  • Synonyms: feign, fake, sham, simulate, affect, make believe
  • Antonyms: substantiate, prove, be genuine, verify, demonstrate
  • Sentences:
    1. He pretended to be ill to skip the meeting.
    2. The lawyer substantiated every claim with evidence.

17. LIBERTY

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Answer: Bondage / serfdom

  • Urdu: آزادی، حریت
  • Meaning (n.): the state of being free from oppressive restrictions
  • Synonyms: freedom, independence, autonomy, emancipation, liberation
  • Antonyms: bondage, serfdom, slavery, captivity, subjugation
  • Sentences:
    1. Liberty of speech is guaranteed by Article 19.
    2. Bonded labour is a form of modern bondage.

18. CONSCIENTIOUS

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Answer: Profligate / negligent

  • Urdu: فرض شناس، ذمہ دار
  • Meaning (adj.): wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly
  • Synonyms: diligent, dutiful, careful, meticulous, thorough, scrupulous
  • Antonyms: profligate, negligent, careless, irresponsible, lax
  • Sentences:
    1. Conscientious teachers check every notebook.
    2. The profligate heir wasted his fortune.
  • 🔁 Also asked in 2011.

19. VERDANT

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Answer: Arid / barren

  • Urdu: سرسبز، ہرا بھرا
  • Meaning (adj.): green with grass or rich vegetation
  • Synonyms: green, lush, leafy, grassy, luxuriant, fertile
  • Antonyms: arid, barren, dry, parched, desolate
  • Sentences:
    1. The verdant hills of Murree turn white in winter.
    2. Arid Balochistan receives little rain.
  • 🔁 Also asked in 2014.

Sources: 2010 paper text (search listing) · CSS Exam Desk list