SSC CGL Vocabulary Questions 2026 – 100+ Previous Year Words with Answers & Tricks
The English Language section in SSC CGL Tier 1 carries 50 marks (25 questions), and vocabulary-based questions alone account for 8-12 of those questions. This includes synonyms, antonyms, one word substitution, idioms & phrases, and spelling correction.
Analyzing previous year SSC CGL papers reveals that 30-40% of vocabulary words repeat or words of similar difficulty level appear. This means if you master the words from the last 5-6 years of CGL papers, you'll be able to answer most vocabulary questions correctly.
📊 2024-2025 CGL Analysis: Out of 25 English questions, 10-12 were vocabulary-based. Average difficulty: Moderate. Students who prepared 500+ words scored 8-10 marks from vocabulary alone.
SSC CGL English Section Breakdown
| Question Type | No. of Questions | Marks | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synonyms | 2-3 | 4-6 | Moderate-Hard |
| Antonyms | 2-3 | 4-6 | Moderate-Hard |
| One Word Substitution | 2-3 | 4-6 | Moderate |
| Idioms & Phrases | 2-3 | 4-6 | Moderate |
| Spelling Correction | 1-2 | 2-4 | Easy-Moderate |
| Cloze Test | 5 | 10 | Moderate |
| Sentence Improvement | 2-3 | 4-6 | Moderate-Hard |
| Error Detection | 2-3 | 4-6 | Moderate-Hard |
Previous Year SSC CGL Vocabulary Words
| # | Word (Asked in CGL) | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ameliorate | Make better, improve | Enhance | Worsen |
| 2 | Impetuous | Acting quickly without thought | Rash | Cautious |
| 3 | Surreptitious | Done secretly | Stealthy | Open |
| 4 | Recalcitrant | Stubbornly disobedient | Defiant | Obedient |
| 5 | Obfuscate | Make unclear or confusing | Confuse | Clarify |
| 6 | Incessant | Never stopping, continuous | Constant | Intermittent |
| 7 | Acrimonious | Angry and bitter | Hostile | Friendly |
| 8 | Ephemeral | Lasting very short time | Transient | Permanent |
| 9 | Magnanimous | Very generous, forgiving | Noble | Petty |
| 10 | Pertinent | Relevant, applicable | Relevant | Irrelevant |
| 11 | Clandestine | Done in secret | Covert | Public |
| 12 | Bellicose | Aggressive, warlike | Hostile | Peaceful |
| 13 | Pernicious | Harmful, destructive | Deadly | Harmless |
| 14 | Obstinate | Stubborn, unyielding | Stubborn | Flexible |
| 15 | Sagacious | Having good judgment | Wise | Foolish |
| 16 | Taciturn | Reserved, says little | Quiet | Talkative |
| 17 | Vivacious | Lively, full of energy | Spirited | Dull |
| 18 | Auspicious | Favorable, promising | Propitious | Ominous |
| 19 | Vindictive | Seeking revenge | Revengeful | Forgiving |
| 20 | Languid | Lacking energy | Lethargic | Energetic |
Sample SSC CGL Vocabulary Questions
Q1: Select the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to "AMELIORATE"
Q2: Select the ANTONYM of "IMPETUOUS"
Q3: Select the word for "Done in a secret or stealthy manner"
Q4: The idiom "Burn the midnight oil" means
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