Here are 10 vocabulary words that are often found in exam preparations for UPSC, Banks, and PSCs, along with their synonyms, antonyms, and usage sentences:
1. **Aberration**
– **Synonyms**: deviation, anomaly, irregularity
– **Antonyms**: norm, regularity, conformity
– **Usage Sentence**: The sudden drop in the company’s profits was an aberration from its usual performance.
2. **Cacophony**
– **Synonyms**: din, racket, noise
– **Antonyms**: harmony, silence, peace
– **Usage Sentence**: The cacophony of traffic outside made it difficult for him to concentrate on his work.
3. **Ephemeral**
– **Synonyms**: fleeting, transient, short-lived
– **Antonyms**: permanent, enduring, lasting
– **Usage Sentence**: The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each year.
4. **Insidious**
– **Synonyms**: stealthy, subtle, deceitful
– **Antonyms**: straightforward, honest, open
– **Usage Sentence**: The disease was insidious, progressing slowly without any noticeable symptoms initially.
5. **Lugubrious**
– **Synonyms**: mournful, gloomy, sad
– **Antonyms**: cheerful, joyful, happy
– **Usage Sentence**: The lugubrious music played at the funeral brought tears to everyone’s eyes.
6. **Obfuscate**
– **Synonyms**: obscure, confuse, complicate
– **Antonyms**: clarify, elucidate, explain
– **Usage Sentence**: The technical jargon used by the professor only served to obfuscate the complex theory further.
7. **Pernicious**
– **Synonyms**: harmful, destructive, detrimental
– **Antonyms**: beneficial, harmless, benign
– **Usage Sentence**: The pernicious effects of pollution on health are becoming more evident every day.
8. **Sanguine**
– **Synonyms**: optimistic, hopeful, positive
– **Antonyms**: pessimistic, gloomy, doubtful
– **Usage Sentence**: Despite the challenges ahead, she remained sanguine about the project’s success.
9. **Ubiquitous**
– **Synonyms**: omnipresent, pervasive, universal
– **Antonyms**: rare, scarce, uncommon
– **Usage Sentence**: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society, found in nearly every pocket.
10. **Venerate**
– **Synonyms**: revere, respect, admire
– **Antonyms**: despise, disrespect, detest
– **Usage Sentence**: In many cultures, elders are venerated for their wisdom and experience.
These words will not only enhance your vocabulary but also help you understand and articulate complex concepts effectively. Good luck with your preparations!
