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Question

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.

TRANQUIL

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2020-21 Previous Year Paper (15-Nov-2021) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

sober

Understanding the English Word TRANQUIL and its Synonym

The question asks for the most appropriate synonym for the word "TRANQUIL". A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.

Let's first understand the meaning of the word "TRANQUIL".

  • TRANQUIL: This word means calm, peaceful, and free from disturbance. It can describe a place (a tranquil garden), a state of mind (a tranquil feeling), or a person's demeanor.

Analyzing Synonym Options for TRANQUIL

Now, let's look at the given options and their meanings:

Option Meaning Relation to TRANQUIL
nervous Easily agitated or alarmed; tending to be anxious. This is the opposite of tranquil. Someone nervous is not calm or peaceful.
sober Not intoxicated by alcohol; serious, sensible, and solemn; quiet and restrained. While often meaning 'not drunk', 'sober' can also mean calm, serious, or restrained in manner. This sense is related to being undisturbed and composed, which aligns with the meaning of tranquil in some contexts.
Ill-tempered Easily annoyed or made angry. This describes someone prone to anger or bad moods, which is the opposite of tranquil or peaceful.
worried Feeling or showing anxiety about actual or potential problems. Someone who is worried is anxious and not calm or peaceful. This is the opposite of tranquil.

Why 'Sober' is the Closest Synonym for TRANQUIL

Comparing the meanings, options 'nervous', 'Ill-tempered', and 'worried' all describe states of agitation, anxiety, or irritability, which are clearly antonyms (opposite meanings) of "TRANQUIL".

The word "sober" has multiple meanings. While its most common meaning relates to not being under the influence of alcohol, another significant meaning is being serious, sensible, quiet, or restrained in manner. In this sense, a sober person or atmosphere can be characterized by calmness and lack of disturbance, which is close to the meaning of "TRANQUIL".

Although "sober" might not be the most common or perfect synonym for "TRANQUIL" (words like peaceful, calm, serene are often better fits), among the given options, "sober" is the only word that shares a degree of semantic overlap, specifically in the sense of being quiet, restrained, and lacking agitation or excess. The other options are direct opposites.

Conclusion on TRANQUIL Synonym

Based on the analysis of the options provided, 'sober' is the most appropriate synonym for 'TRANQUIL' from the given choices, considering the secondary meaning of 'sober' as calm, quiet, or restrained.

Revision Table: Important Vocabulary

Word Meaning Synonym Example Antonym Example
TRANQUIL Calm, peaceful, free from disturbance. Peaceful, Serene, Calm Agitated, Disturbed, Turbulent
nervous Anxious, easily agitated. Anxious, Uneasy Calm, Confident
sober Calm, serious, restrained (among other meanings). Serious, Calm, Restrained Drunk, Excited, Flamboyant
Ill-tempered Easily annoyed or angered. Grumpy, Irritable Good-natured, Pleasant
worried Anxious, troubled. Anxious, Concerned Calm, Carefree

Additional Information: Learning Synonyms and Antonyms

Learning synonyms and antonyms is a key part of building strong vocabulary. It helps you understand the nuances between words and express yourself more precisely. When finding synonyms, consider the context in which the word is used, as many words have multiple meanings.

  • Context is Crucial: The best synonym often depends on how the word is used in a sentence.
  • Degree of Meaning: Synonyms don't always have exactly the same intensity of meaning (e.g., happy vs. ecstatic).
  • Practice: Regularly practicing with word lists and using new words in sentences helps improve retention.

Understanding related words like synonyms and antonyms enhances reading comprehension and writing skills significantly for exams like competitive English tests.

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