Choose the correct synonym out of the following for the given word - Curtail
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Reduce
- Curtail means to cut short or reduce something, such as spending, time or rights.
Example: The meeting was curtailed because of the storm. - Reduce means to make smaller in size, amount or number, which is the sense of curtail.
Example: We must reduce our use of plastic.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Curtain — Incorrect. A curtain is a piece of cloth hung over a window or stage; it only looks like curtail.
Example: She drew the curtains to keep out the sun.
Option 3: increase — Incorrect. Increase means to make or become larger, the opposite of curtail.
Example: Prices increase every year.
Option 4: spend — Incorrect. To spend is to pay out money or use time; one may curtail spending, but spend does not mean reduce.
Example: We spent the weekend at the farm.
| Synonyms (Curtail) | Antonyms (Curtail) |
|---|---|
| reduce | increase |
| shorten | extend |
| cut | lengthen |
| restrict | prolong |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| curtail | 24-05 S1 | 20-05 S2 | – | – | – |