A synonym is a word or phrase with similar or the same meaning as another word or phrase. There are several words with similar meanings in English. A good knowledge of synonyms enrich your English vocabulary and help you write better.

The Class 10 English exam conducted by TN board has some questions that require the students to find synonyms.

Choose the appropriate synonym for the italicized word.

1. Con men often cheat credulous women.
   a) credible
   b) beautiful
   c) gullible
   d) innocent
2. He hailed from a destitute family.
   a) aristocratic
   b) poor
   c) notorious
   d) wealthy
3. The despot treated his subjects without any mercy.
   a) king
   b) dictator
   c) priest
   d) minister
4. His behavior was despicable to say the least.
   a) graceful
   b) contemptible
   c) laughable
   d) pitiable
5. Lack of education is often a detriment.
   a) advantage
   b) disadvantage
   c) mishap
   d) mistake
6. Their kitchen was immaculate.
   a) perfectly tidy
   b) disorganised
   c) large
   d) small
7. They were unaware of the imminent danger.
   a) foreseeable
   b) impending
   c) distant
   d) grave
8. The judge refused to listen to her despite her passionate entreaties.
   a) appeals
   b) warnings
   c) needs
   d) threats
9. We could not dissuade him from quitting his job.
   a) stop
   b) encourage
   c) motivate
   d) inspire
10. The distraught mother could not remember the sequence of events.
    a) excited
    b) extremely upset
    c) annoyed
    d) uninformed
11. It is difficult to teach an unruly class of adolescents.
    a) disobedient
    b) careless
    c) ignorant
    d) brilliant
12. I hate to disillusion you, but studying or working abroad is not always a walk in the park.
    a) tell
    b) disappoint
    c) inform
    d) distract
13. She never appreciated his grotesque humour.
    a) classic
    b) natural
    c) weird
    d) standard
14. The supervisor would not listen to the worker’s gripes.
    a) needs
    b) requests
    c) complaints
    d) demands
15. They jeered the first speaker.
    a) praised
    b) ridiculed
    c) criticized
    d) cheered
16. His lame alibi did not withstand close questioning.
    a) bold
    b) effective
    c) weak
    d) convincing
17. Discontent among the youngsters was rapidly spreading.
    a) enthusiasm
    b) excitement
    c) apathy
    d) dissatisfaction
18. The student did exhaustive research before writing the term paper.
    a) superficial
    b) thorough
    c) illusive
    d) incomplete
19. The older boy’s exemplary behavior influenced his siblings.
    a) unique
    b) peculiar
    c) admirable
    d) apathetic
20. The enquiry exonerated the suspect.
    a) declare guilty
    b) declare innocent
    c) punished
    d) remanded

Answers

1. gullible, 2. poor, 3. dictator, 4. contemptible, 5. disadvantage, 6. perfectly tidy, 7. impending, 8. appeals, 9. stop, 10. extremely upset, 11. disobedient, 12. disappoint, 13. weird, 14. complaints, 15. ridiculed, 16. weak, 17. dissatisfaction, 18. thorough, 19. admirable, 20. declare innocent