Select the most appropriate synonym of the following word from the given options:
Equivocal
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Ambiguous
- Equivocal means open to more than one meaning; unclear, often on purpose to avoid giving a direct answer. It comes from the Latin aequus (equal) + vox (voice): words that "speak equally" for two meanings.
Example: The minister gave an equivocal reply to the reporters' question. - Ambiguous means having more than one possible meaning. It is the same as equivocal, so ambiguous is the synonym.
Example: The ambiguous instructions confused the students.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Lucid — Incorrect. Lucid means clear and easy to understand; it is an antonym of equivocal.
Example: The teacher gave a lucid explanation of the theorem.
Option 3: Plain — Incorrect. Plain here means clear and obvious; it too is opposite in meaning.
Example: He made it plain that he would not change his mind.
Option 4: Diminutive — Incorrect. Diminutive means very small; it refers to size, not meaning.
Example: The diminutive gymnast won the gold medal.
| Synonyms (Equivocal) | Antonyms (Equivocal) |
|---|---|
| ambiguous | unequivocal |
| vague | clear |
| evasive | lucid |
| unclear | plain |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| equivocal | – | – | – | 09-06 S3 | – |
| lucid | – | – | – | 07-06 S3 14-06 S3 | – |
| ambiguous | 18-05 S2 | 21-05 S2 30-05 S1 | – | – | 21-08 S1 |
| diminutive | – | – | 29-05 S1 | 14-06 S3 | – |