One Word Substitution MCQs with Answers & Explanations (Page 53)

A placid person is not easily upset or excited. Serene means calm, peaceful, and untroubled. Tranquil means free from disturbance. Composed means having one's feelings and expression under control.

A skeptical person is not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations. A cynical person believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest. A pessimistic person tends to see the worst aspect of things. An agnostic believes nothing is known of the existence of God.

An irascible person is having or showing a tendency to be easily angered. Testy means easily irritated. Choleric means bad-tempered or irritable. Petulant means childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

An exuberant person is filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement. Ebullient means cheerful and full of energy. Vivacious means attractively lively and animated. Spirited means full of energy, enthusiasm, and determination.

An individualist is a person who is independent and self-reliant. Autonomous means having the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs. Sovereign means possessing supreme or ultimate power. Solitary means done or existing alone.

A taciturn person is reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. Reticent means not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily. Laconic means using very few words. Reserved means slow to reveal emotion or opinions.

An erudite person has or shows great knowledge or learning. Sagacious means having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment. Learned means having much knowledge acquired through study. Profound means having or showing great knowledge or insight.

A sanguine person is optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation. Jovial means cheerful and friendly. Cheerful means noticeably happy and optimistic. Buoyant means cheerful and optimistic.

An intrepid person is fearless and adventurous. Valiant means possessing or showing courage. Gallant means brave; heroic. Audacious means showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Probity is the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency. Scrupulous means diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details. Upright means strictly honorable or honest. Integrity is the noun that best describes the person's quality.

An unassuming person is not pretentious or arrogant; modest. Meek means quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on. Humble means having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance. Modest means unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities.

Scintillating means sparkling or shining brightly; brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful. Pithy means concise and forcefully expressive. Epigrammatic means in the style of an epigram; concise, clever, and amusing. Witty means showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor.

An indolent person is wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy. Lethargic means affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic. Slothful means lazy. Idle means not active or in use.

A steadfast person is resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. Staunch means loyal and committed in attitude. Faithful means remaining loyal and steadfast. Loyal means giving or showing firm and constant support to a person or institution.

A parsimonious person is unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal. Miserly and niggardly are strong synonyms. Frugal means sparing or economical with regard to money or food, which can be a positive trait, unlike the others.

A magnanimous person is generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself, implying nobility. Benevolent means well meaning and kindly. Altruistic means showing a disinterested and selfless concern for others. Philanthropic means seeking to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money.

An obdurate person is stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action. Adamant means refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind. Obstinate means stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion. Intransigent means unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something.

A candid person is truthful and straightforward; frank. Frank means open, honest, and direct in speech or writing. Forthright means direct and outspoken. Sincere means free from pretense or deceit.

A supercilious person is behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others. Haughty means arrogantly superior and disdainful. Pompous means affectedly and irritatingly grand. Arrogant means having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance.

A demure person is reserved, modest, and shy. Timid means showing a lack of courage or confidence. Reticent means not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily. Coy means making a pretense of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring.