Choose the correct synonym for the word: Obsequious
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Servile
Obsequious means too eager to please or obey others, especially people in power, often by flattering them. Its synonym is servile.
Example: The obsequious clerk agreed with every word the minister said.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Hostile | unfriendly and aggressive (the very opposite of trying to please) | The crowd grew hostile when the match was called off. |
| (2) Indifferent | having no interest or concern (an obsequious person is far too concerned with pleasing others) | He remained indifferent to the result of the election. |
| (3) Servile (answer) | too willing to serve or obey others, behaving like a servant (both words describe a person who bows too low before others) | His servile manner towards the boss annoyed his colleagues. |
| (4) Rebellious | refusing to obey authority (an antonym of obsequious) | The rebellious teenager refused to follow the hostel rules. |
Note: NTA’s answer key for this question accepted more than one answer. To make sure there is only one correct answer, the question has been modified here: Option (1) is now “Hostile” and Option (4) is now “Rebellious”.
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 obsequious: servile, fawning, sycophantic, toadying Antonyms of obsequious: rebellious, assertive, independent, defiant Also asked in CUET (UG): obsequious – 21-05-2026 Slot 1 servile – 22-05-2026 Slot 2, 07-06-2023 Slot 3, 06-06-2023 Slot 1 |