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Question

Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.

All mortal elements are impermanent.

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2022 GAT Previous Year Paper (10-Apr-2022)
The correct answer is

temporal

Understanding Impermanent: Finding Synonyms

The question asks us to find the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'impermanent' in the sentence: "All mortal elements are impermanent."

Let's first understand the meaning of the word 'impermanent'.

Impermanent: Not lasting forever; subject to change. Something that is impermanent does not stay in the same state indefinitely. It is temporary.

Now, let's look at the options provided:

  1. temporal: Relating to time; relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs; lasting for a limited time.
  2. immortal: Living forever; never dying or decaying.
  3. never-ending: Seemingly without end; unending or infinite.
  4. divinely: In a way that is attributed to or characteristic of God or a god; in a way that is extremely good, pleasant, or enjoyable.

Comparing the meaning of 'impermanent' with the meanings of the options:

  • 'Impermanent' means not lasting forever, temporary.
  • 'Temporal' means lasting for a limited time, related to time and the material world which is subject to change.
  • 'Immortal' means living forever, which is the opposite of impermanent.
  • 'Never-ending' means without end, which is also the opposite of impermanent.
  • 'Divinely' relates to being godly or extremely good, which is not related to the concept of duration or permanence.

The word 'temporal' directly relates to things that exist within time and therefore have a limited duration, making it the closest synonym to 'impermanent'. The sentence "All mortal elements are impermanent" implies that everything earthly and subject to death is temporary and will not last forever, which aligns perfectly with the meaning of 'temporal'.

Comparing Options for Impermanent

Word Meaning Relation to Impermanent
Impermanent Not lasting forever; temporary. ---
Temporal Lasting for a limited time; temporary. Closest synonym.
Immortal Living forever. Antonym.
Never-ending Without end. Antonym.
Divinely Related to God or something excellent. Unrelated meaning.

Based on the comparison, 'temporal' is the word that is nearest in meaning to 'impermanent'.

Conclusion on Impermanent's Synonym

The word 'impermanent' describes something that is temporary and does not last forever. Among the given options, 'temporal' means lasting for a limited time, which is the most fitting synonym for 'impermanent'.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Word Meaning Example Usage
Impermanent Not lasting forever; temporary. Life is beautiful but impermanent.
Temporal Relating to time or worldly affairs; temporary. Focus on spiritual rather than temporal wealth.
Immortal Living forever; never dying. Myths often feature immortal gods.
Never-ending Seemingly without end. The queue seemed never-ending.
Divinely In a godly or excellent manner. She sang divinely.

Additional Information on Synonyms and Antonyms

Understanding synonyms and antonyms is crucial for vocabulary building and improving comprehension. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings, while antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.

  • Synonym: A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language. For example, 'happy' is a synonym of 'joyful'.
  • Antonym: A word opposite in meaning to another word. For example, 'hot' is an antonym of 'cold'.

Identifying the nearest synonym, as required in the question for 'impermanent', involves finding the word whose meaning is closest among the given options, even if it's not a perfect match in all contexts.

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Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms

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    STRAY

  2. Select the synonym of the given word.

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  3. Select the antonym of the given word.

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  4. Directions:Choose the synonym of the given word.

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  5. Select the synonym of the given word.

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