Choose the word opposite in meaning to the word - VIRTUOUS.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → vicious
Virtuous means having high moral standards, good and honest. Its antonym is vicious.
Example: The virtuous king was loved by all his people.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) vicious (answer) | cruel, wicked, full of vice (virtue and vice are opposites) | The vicious dog attacked the postman. |
| (2) exemplary | so good that it is an example for others (it is close in meaning to virtuous, not opposite) | He was praised for his exemplary conduct. |
| (3) miserly | unwilling to spend money (it names one particular fault, not the opposite of moral goodness as a whole) | The miserly landlord refused to repair the roof. |
| (4) competent | having the skill to do something well (it is about ability, not about being good or bad) | She is a competent engineer. |
Note: In the original NTA paper, Option 2 read "vulgar". NTA accepted this option as a correct answer as well. To leave only one correct answer and avoid confusion for students, it has been changed here to "exemplary".
Advice for the exam: In the real exam, mark the answer that is grammatically or factually correct. If NTA’s provisional answer key marks a different option, challenge it during the answer-key challenge window and give the reason in one or two lines.
| Synonyms of virtuous: moral, righteous, upright, honest Antonyms of virtuous: vicious, wicked, immoral, corrupt Also asked in CUET (UG): virtuous – 19-05-2026 Slot 2, 02-06-2025 Slot 1, 27-05-2025 Slot 1, 14-05-2025 Slot 2, 22-06-2023 Slot 1, 17-08-2022 Slot 2, 20-07-2022 Slot 1 vicious – 22-06-2023 Slot 1, 20-07-2022 Slot 1 miserly – 19-05-2026 Slot 2, 12-05-2026 Slot 2, 17-08-2022 Slot 2 |