Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms & Antonyms

Study Notes for Nagaland PSC – English Language

1. What are Synonyms?

• Synonyms are words that mean almost the same thing.
• Think of them as different names for the same thing.
• Analogy: Your two best friends might both be called “cool” by different people.
• Tiny example:
  • Happy ↔ Joyful

2. What are Antonyms?

• Antonyms are words that mean the opposite.
• They are like two sides of a coin.
• Analogy: “Hot” and “Cold” – one is warm, the other is chill.
• Tiny example:
  • Big ↔ Small

3. How to Spot Them

Tip: If you can ask “Is it the same as X?” and the answer is “yes,” it’s a synonym.
Tip: If you can ask “Is it the opposite of Y?” and the answer is “yes,” it’s an antonym.

4. Quick Synonym & Antonym Pair List

5. Simple Practice Questions

1. Choose the synonym for “Happy”.
   A) Sad
   B) Joyful
   C) Angry
   Answer: B

2. Choose the antonym for “Tall”.
   A) Short
   B) High
   C) Long
   Answer: A

3. Replace “Brave” with a synonym.
   Answer: Courageous

4. Find the antonym for “Full”.
   Answer: Empty

6. Tips for the Exam

1. Read the Question Carefully – It often says “synonym of” or “antonym of”.
2. Use Context – If the sentence says “She was very ___”, think of words like “excited” or “angry”.
3. Keep a Mini‑Dictionary – A small list of common pairs helps speed up.
4. Practice Daily – A few minutes each day keeps the words fresh.

7. Mini‑Summary

Keep these notes handy, review a little each day, and you’ll master synonyms and antonyms before your exam!