Synonyms for Kerala PSC | English Grammar

Synonyms are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning. They are used to enhance vocabulary, avoid repetition, and improve clarity in writing and communication. 

For eg: happy and joyful are synonyms as both express a positive emotion.

As we know in Kerala PSC exams, synonyms are frequently tested in the English language section to evaluate vocabulary skills.

Following is the list of synonyms that are taken from the previous year Kerala PSC question papers.

List of Synonyms for Kerala PSC

When the same word is used in multiple locations or a word is used that was not quite appropriate, a thesaurus can be used to look up a (n) __________ or a word similar in meaning = Synonym. (Superintendent, 2024)

A

• Abate = Diminish, subside, lessen, decrease.
• Abhorrence = hatred and disgust. (Fireman Trainee, 2017)
• Absurd = Foolish. (Beat Forest Officer, 2018)
• Abundant = Plentiful, Copious, Overflowing. (LDC Kottayam, 2024)
• Abundance = Plenty. (Assistant Manager KSCB, 2024)
• Acquiesce = Agree, consent, comply, assent.
• Adage = A brief statement that expresses a general truth, or a common saying or observation. (Police Constable, 2023)
• Admonish = Warn, reprimand, rebuke, scold.
• Adroit = Skillful, dexterous, adept, proficient.
• Affable = Friendly.  (LDC SR for SC/ST, 2017)
• Akin = Similar. (Degree Level Prelims, Stage II, 2021)
• Alert = Watchful. (Woman Police Constable, 2018)
• Alienable (adj) = Negotiable, Conveyable, Transferrable. (Clerk, 2025)
• Alleviate = Relieve, ease, mitigate, assuage.
• Alter ego = intimate friend.
• Ambiguous = Vague, Obscure, Cryptic, Unclear, Equivocal, Obscure.
• Amendment = modification. (Clerk (various), 2024)
• Ameliorate = Improve, enhance, upgrade, refine.
• Amiable = Friendly, Affable, Genial, Cordial. (Lab Assistant HSE Main Exam, 2025)
• Amicable = Friendly. (Degree level prelims Stage iii, 2024) 
• Apathy = Indifference, unconcern, disinterest, lethargy.
• Arbitrary = Random, capricious, whimsical, subjective.
• Arduous = Difficult, strenuous, laborious, taxing.
• Assertive = Confident, Bold, Decisive.
• Atrocious = Appalling. (Computer Operator / Analyst, KWA, 2025)
• Attentive = Watchful. (Sergeant, 2015)
• Augur =  to predict/foretell especially from omen.
• Autobiography = The life history of a man written by himself. (Eligibility Test Lab Assistant, KHSE, 2019)
• Azure = Blue. (Instructor in Commerce, 2023)

B

• Babyboom = increase in birthrate. (Beat Forest Officer, 2018)
• Behaviour = Deportment. (Women Civil Excise Officer, 2018)
• Benevolent = Kindhearted, Charitable, Compassionate, Generous.
• Berserk = Out of control with anger or excitement.
• Bestowed = Conferred. (LD Clerk Various, 2017)
• Betray = Deceive. (Junior Assistant, 2023)
• Blasphemous = Profane. (Assistant Kannada Knowing, 2024)
• Black sheep = A disreputable member of a family or a group. (LDC SR for SC/ST, 2017)
• Brisk = Swift, Agile, Vigorous.

C

• Censure = Criticize, condemn, denounce, reprimand.
• Charisma = Magnetic appeal.
• Chide = Scold.
• Clandestine = Secret.
• Commence = To begin. (Assistant Prison Officer (Male), 2018; Assistant Manager KSCB, 2024)
• Comprehensive = Extensive, Thorough, Exhaustive.
• Conceal = Delitescence. (Woman Police Constable, 2017)
• Concede = Agree. (Degree Prelims Stage III, 2023)
• Concise = Brief, succinct, terse, pithy.
• Confluence = Convergence, meeting, junction, merging.
• Conjecture = Guess, speculate, hypothesize, surmise.
• Conjurer = A person who does clever tricks which appear magical.  (Clerk Tamil & Kannada knowing, 2024)
• Consolidate = Strengthen, unify, combine, reinforce.
• Contempt = Disdain, scorn, disrespect, derision
• Contrite = Remorseful, repentant, penitent, apologetic
• Corroborate = Confirm, verify, substantiate, authenticate
• Credulous = Gullible, naive, trusting, unsuspecting.
• Curiousity = Inquisitiveness.

D

• Debauchery = Immoral. (Lab Assistant, HSE, 2017)
• Debut = First appearance in public as a performer. (Degree Level Prelims, 2025)
• Deceptive = Misleading, Fraudulent, Illusory.
• Deference = Humble submission and respect. (KAS Officer trainee, 2025)
• Deleterious = Harmful, detrimental, injurious, adverse.
• Delineate = Describe, outline, portray, depict.
• Deposition (legal context) = Witness statement taken outside the court. (Woman Fire & Rescue Officer Trainee, 2025)
• Deprecate = Disapprove, criticize, condemn, object to.
• Deride = Mock, ridicule, scoff, jeer.
• Despondent = Depressed, dejected, disheartened, gloomy.
• Deter = Discourage, prevent, hinder, impede.
• Diatribe = verbal attack against a person. (SI Mains, 2024) 
• Diligent = Hardworking, industrious, assiduous, conscientious.  (Degree Prelims Stage II, 2026)
• Discard = Reject.  (Armed SI SR for ST, 2023)
• Disciple = Attendant, Adherent, Acolyte.
• Disposition = Character. (Clerk, 2025)
• Disparage = Belittle, criticize, denigrate, deprecate.
• Disseminate = Spread, circulate, distribute, propagate.
• Dogmatic = Opinionated, assertive, authoritarian, inflexible.
• Dominant = Prevailing, Supreme, Influential.
• Dormant = inactive. (Assistant Compiler, 2024)
• Dubious = Doubtful, uncertain, questionable, suspicious.

E

• Eavesdrop = To listen secretly to a private conversation. (Village Field Assistant, 2025)
• Eccentric = Unusual, odd, peculiar, unconventional.
• Efficient = Able to perform ones duties well. (Assistant Kannada Knowing, 2024)
• Eloquent = Fluent, articulate, persuasive, expressive. (LDC Idukki, 2024)
• Emaciated = Thin.
• Enticing = Enchanting. (Deputy Manager, 2023)
• Ephemeral = Temporary, short-lived, transient, fleeting. (LDC Kottayam, 2024)
• Equivocal = Ambiguous, uncertain, vague, dubious.
• Erudite = Learned, scholarly, knowledgeable, educated.
• Exacerbate = Worsen, aggravate, intensify, heighten.
• Exemplary = Outstanding, commendable, praiseworthy, model.
• Extravagant = Lavish. (Junior Assistant Degree Level Mains, 2023)
• Exonerate = Clear, acquit, vindicate, absolve.
• Extol = Praise, applaud, commend, admire.

F

• Facetious = Humorous, witty, amusing, comical.
• Fare = Money that needs to be paid for passage or journey via bus, train etc.
• Fascimile = Exact copy. (LDC Kollam, 2024)
• Fastidious = Meticulous, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking.
• Feud = Quarrel. (Female Warden/Jr Lab Assistant, 2024)
• Fervent = Passionate, enthusiastic, ardent, zealous.
• Flair = Natural ability.
• Flare = Sudden burst of light.
• Frivolous = Silly.  (Degree Level Prelims Stage I, 2026; Attender Gr II/ Salesman Gr II, 2026))
• Frugal = Thrifty, economical, sparing, prudent.
• Futile = Useless, pointless, ineffective, vain.

G

• Garrulous = Talkative. (Legal Assistant, 2024) 
• Gaunt = Extremely thin and bony.  (Clerk by transfer, 2024)
• Gregarious = Sociable, outgoing, convivial, affable.
• Guile = Cunning.

H

• Hackneyed = Overused, trite, banal, cliché.
• Hazardous = dangerous. (Junior Time Keeper / Sales Assistant, 2025) 
• Hinder = Impede, obstruct, hamper, prevent.
• Hypocrisy = Insincerity, pretense, duplicity, deceit.

I

• Immobilize = paralyze.    (Clerk by transfer, 2024)
• Immutable = Unchangeable, fixed, permanent, invariable.
• Impartial = Unbiased, neutral, objective, fair.
• Impetuous = Impulsive, rash, hasty, reckless.
• Implausible = Unbelievable, improbable, unlikely, doubtful.
• Inclination = Tendency. (Village Field Assistant, 2017)
• Incessant = Continuous, constant, unceasing, perpetual.
• Incipient = Beginning, developing, emerging, nascent.
• Incorrigible = Incapable of being corrected. (Junior Assistant Degree Level Mains, 2023)
• Indignant = Angry, resentful, annoyed, offended.
• Inherent = Innate, intrinsic, natural, inborn.
• Insolent = Rude, disrespectful, impudent, arrogant.
• Intrepid = Fearless, courageous, brave, valiant. (SI Mains, 2023)
• Introspection = To examine one's own thoughts and feelings.  (Data Entry Operator, 2016) 
• Invincible = that which cannot be conquered or defeated / too powerful to be defeated or overcome.
• Isolated = Secluded (Reporter Gr II, 2024)

J

• Judicious = Wise, sensible, prudent, thoughtful.

K

• Kind hearted = benevolent. (LDC, 2017)

L

• Lethargic = Sluggish, inactive, lazy, apathetic.
• Liberal = Generous.
• Loquacious = Talkative, garrulous, verbose, chatty.
• Ludicrous = Absolve. (Lab Assistant HSE, 2018)

M

• Maiden speech = First speech. (Sergeant, 2015)
• Magnificent = Majestic. (L.P School Teacher Malayalam, 2026)
• Malign = Slander, defame, vilify, disparage.
• Manifest = Display.
• Martial = of marriage.
• Mediocre = One who is neither intelligent nor dull. (LDC SR for SC/ST, 2017)
• Meticulous = Careful, thorough, precise, painstaking.
• Misanthrope / Misanthropist = One who hates mankind (Deputy Manager, 2023) /  A person who hates and avoids other people. (Special Branch Assistant, 2022)
• Misogynist = A person who hates woman. (Woman Police Constable, 2017)
• Mitigate = Alleviate, reduce, lessen, ease. (Police Constable, 2023)
• Modus operandi = method of working.
• Morose = Gloomy, sullen, melancholy, depressed.

N

• Novel = New, original, innovative, unique.

O

• Obvious = Explicit. (Aeromodelling Helper Sergeant, 2017)
• Obdurate = Stubborn, inflexible, unyielding, obstinate.
• Obsequious = Servile, submissive, fawning, sycophantic.
• Obsolete = Outdated, antiquated, archaic, old-fashioned.
• Odious = Hateful.
• Ominous = Threatening, menacing, foreboding, inauspicious.
• Opulent = Wealthy, luxurious, lavish, affluent.
• Ostentatious = Showy, pretentious, flamboyant, conspicuous.
• Oligarchy = A country which is governed by a small group of people. (Aeromodelling Helper Sergeant, 2017)
• Ombudsman = an impartial person who watches for administrative abuses inside organizations. (Village Field Assistant, 2017)
• Omnipotent = All powerful (Theatre Assistant (Main Exam), 2024)

P

• Panorama = wide sight without interruption.
• Paradox = Contradiction, inconsistency, anomaly, enigma.
• Parsimonious = Stingy, miserly, frugal, tightfisted.
• Pauper = A person who has no money. (Degree Prelims Stage III, 2024)
• Peer = Equal. (Village Field Assistant, 2017)
• Perfidious = Treacherous, disloyal, faithless, deceitful.
• Perfunctory = Cursory, superficial, indifferent, routine.
• Pernicious = Harmful, destructive, detrimental, injurious / having a harmful effect.  (Degree Prelims Stage III, 2026)
• Perseverance = Doggedness (Beat Forest Officer, 2026) / persistence  (Degree Prelims Stage III, 2026)
• Pervasive = Widespread, prevalent, ubiquitous, extensive.
• Philanthropist = One who is engaged in charity works. (Junior Assistant, 2023)
• Placate = Appease, pacify, soothe, mollify.
• Plethora = Abundance.
• Plutocracy = A government controlled by the rich. (LDC, 2017)
• Pragmatic = Practical, realistic, sensible, down-to-earth.
• Precarious = Dangerous.
• Preclude = Prevent, prohibit, exclude, impede.
• Pretentious = Showy, affected, ostentatious, pompous.
• Prodigal = Wasteful, extravagant, lavish, spendthrift. (Deputy Collector, 2019)
• Profound = Deep, insightful, thoughtful, significant.
• Prolific = Productive, fruitful, abundant, fertile.
• Propitious = Favorable, auspicious, promising, advantageous.
• Provincial = Narrow-minded, parochial, insular, limited.
• Prudent = Careful, cautious, sensible, wise.
• Pseudonym = The pen name adopted by a writer. (Sergeant, 2015)

R

• Rancor = Bitterness, resentment, hatred, animosity.
• Raze = Demolish, destroy, obliterate, devastate.
• Rectify = Correct, amend, remedy, improve.
• Redundant = Unnecessary, superfluous, excessive, surplus.
• Rendezvous = A meeting in an agreed time and place. (Deputy Collector, 2019)
• Repulsive = Ugly.
• Resemblance = Similarity. (LDC Alappuzha, 2024)
• Resilient = Tough, strong, durable, adaptable.
• Reticent = Reserved, silent, taciturn, uncommunicative.
• Robust = Strong, healthy, vigorous, sturdy.
• Rustic = Rural.  (HST English, 2025)

S

• Sagacious = Wise, insightful, discerning, shrewd.
• Salient = Prominent, noticeable, conspicuous, striking.
• Sanction = Approve, authorize, permit, allow.
• Sanguine = Optimistic, hopeful, confident, positive.
• Scapegoat = A person blamed for someone else's wrongs. (Degree Level Prelims Stage II, 2025) 
• Scared = Very afraid. (Eligibility Test Lab Assistant, KHSE, 2019)
• Scrupulous = Careful, meticulous, conscientious, punctilious.
• Sedentary = Inactive. (Degree Level Prelims Stage I, 2021)
• Senicide = killing an old man / elderly. (VEO, 2019)
• Sesquipedalian = using pompous language. (Secretary, LSG, 2024)
• Shoestring = A small or inadequate budget.
• Soar = Ascend. (SSLC Level Mains, 2023)
• Somniloquist = One who talks in sleep. (LDC, 2017)
• Spartan = To lead a simple life.
• Sporadic = Occasional, irregular, intermittent, infrequent.
• Stalwart = Strong, sturdy, robust, valiant.
• Stolid = Unemotional, impassive, indifferent, apathetic.
• Sublime = Noble. (Lab Assistant, Officer Attender Gr II, Care taker, LD Clerk, 2023)
• Substantiate = Prove, verify, confirm, validate.
• Succinct = Brief, concise, terse, pithy.
• Succulent = Juicy.
• Superfluous = Unnecessary, redundant, excessive, surplus.
• Swarm = A large group of insects moving in a mass. (Clerk Tamil & Kannada knowing, 2024)
• Sycophant = A person who tries to gain people's favour by insincerely flattering them and agreeing with them. (Armed SI SR for ST, 2023)
• Synonym = Meaning. (Eligibility Test Lab Assistant, KHSE, 2019)

T

• Taciturn = Reserved, silent, uncommunicative, reticent.
• Tedium = Boredom. (LD Typist / Steno / Confidential Assistant, 2025)
• Tenacious = Persistent, determined, resolute, steadfast.
• Tirade = A long angry speech of criticism or accusation.
• Tittle-tattle = Gossip. (Assistant Prison Officer (Male), 2018)
• To interrogate = To question. (Village Field Assistant, 2017)
• Transient = Temporary, fleeting, ephemeral, short-lived.
• Transliterate = Write words or letters in the letters of a different alphabet. (Assistant/Auditor, 2018)
• Trepidation = Fear, anxiety, apprehension, dread.
• Truant = A child who stays away from school without permission.
• Turncoat = A person who changes from one side, party etc to another.

U

• Ubiquitous = Omnipresent, Pervasive, Universal, Widespread.
• Unanimous = United, Harmonious, Consensual.
• Unprecedented = Unique, Groundbreaking, Revolutionary.

V

• Vacillate = Waver, hesitate, fluctuate, oscillate.
• Vegan = A strict vegetarian who neither eats nor uses any animal products.
• Venerate = respect, revere, admire, esteem. (Degree level prelims Stage ii, 2024)  
• Verbose = Wordy, talkative, loquacious, garrulous.
• Vicarious = Indirect, secondhand, substitute, empathetic.
• Vigilant = Watchful, Alert, Attentive, Observant.
• Virtuoso = Expert, master, skilled, proficient.
• Vivid = Vivacious. (Drugs control Lab attender, 2024)
• Volatile = Unstable, changeable, erratic, unpredictable.
• Voracious = Insatiable. (Assistant SI Trainee, 2025)

W

• Wary = Cautious, careful, vigilant, circumspect.
• Weird = Strange. (Reporter Gr II Malayalam, 2026)
• Whet = Sharpen. (Civil Police Officer, 2018)
• Whimsical = Capricious, fanciful, playful, quirky.
• Widower = A man whose wife is dead. (VEO, 2019)
• Wrath = Anger.

Y

• Yomp = To march laboriously. (Beat Forest Officer, 2026)

Z

• Zealous = Enthusiastic, passionate, fervent, ardent.
• Zenith = Summit.

    ⇝ Read Next: Foreign Phrases For Kerala PSC Exams

We have also included one words and other related English meanings as well as Synonyms from the previous year's Kerala PSC question paper, to make it easier for students to study without having to read multiple posts.

Thanks for learning!!!