All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Directions : Each item in this section consists of a sentence with underlined word/words followed by four words. Select the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word/words and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

These were based primarily in Himachal Pradesh, where the treks were as gruelling as the terrain.

This question was previously asked in
NDA 1 2026 GAT Question Paper (12-Apr-2026)
The correct answer is
rigorous

Gruelling Synonym Explanation

The question asks for the word closest in meaning to the underlined word "gruelling" within the context of treks and terrain.

Gruelling means extremely tiring, demanding, and requiring great effort.

Analyzing Word Meanings

  • Gruelling: Intensely difficult, exhausting, and requiring great effort.
  • Rigorous: Extremely thorough, exhaustive, or severe; demanding strictness.
  • Egregious: Outstandingly bad; shocking.
  • Unctuous: Excessively flattering or insincere; oily.
  • Ominous: Suggesting that something bad is going to happen; threatening.

Determining the Nearest Meaning

In the sentence, "gruelling" describes the difficulty and physical exertion involved in the treks and the terrain. Comparing the definitions:

  • Rigorous closely matches the demanding and severe nature implied by "gruelling" for physical activities like trekking.
  • Egregious refers to badness, not difficulty.
  • Unctuous relates to insincerity, not physical challenge.
  • Ominous relates to threat or foreboding, which is different from the direct physical hardship described.

Therefore, "rigorous" is the word nearest in meaning to "gruelling" in this context.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. He used to be known among his colleagues for his righteousness.
  2. She had a ruddy, open face and an oddly guileless manner.
  3. The young are easily excitable when presented with strong emotional triggers.
  4. There are four concurrent handloom fairs around the city.
  5. Effective governance seeks to optimize public resource allocation.
  6. The official accused of espionage was found to be disingenuous.
  7. Our professor was perplexed by the answers we wrote in the examination.
  8. He found the musical rendition by the septuagenarian maestro to be listless.
  9. The student's striking audaciousness disturbed long-standing social hierarchies on campus.
  10. The travel company tried to identify destinations that were off the beaten track.

Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms (D)

  1. He used to be known among his colleagues for his righteousness.
  2. She had a ruddy, open face and an oddly guileless manner.
  3. The young are easily excitable when presented with strong emotional triggers.
  4. There are four concurrent handloom fairs around the city.
  5. Effective governance seeks to optimize public resource allocation.
Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
NDA
September 13, 2026
CDS
September 13, 2026
Test Series
NDA img
Defence
NDA 2026 Mock Test Series (Latest Pattern)
501 Tests 1 Tests Free
661 Attempts
4.6(121)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App