Replace the underlined word in the following sentence with the correct synonym from the options given below:
When the manager saw the intern handling a difficult customer skillfully, he decided it was expedient not to interfere yet.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → prudent
- Expedient means useful or sensible in a particular situation. The manager saw that the intern was handling the customer well, so he judged it wise not to step in yet.
Example: It seemed expedient to leave before the rain started. - Prudent means wise and careful, showing good judgement. Not interfering was the sensible course of action, so prudent can replace expedient in the sentence.
Example: It is prudent to save some money every month.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: alacritous — Incorrect. Alacritous means quick and eager; it describes readiness to act, while the manager chose not to act.
Example: The alacritous waiter refilled our glasses at once.
Option 3: injudicious — Incorrect. Injudicious means unwise; it is the opposite of expedient here.
Example: Lending money to a stranger was an injudicious decision.
Option 4: exorbitant — Incorrect. Exorbitant means much too high, usually of a price; it has no link with good judgement.
Example: The hotel charged an exorbitant rent.
| Synonyms (Expedient) | Antonyms (Expedient) |
|---|---|
| prudent | injudicious |
| advisable | imprudent |
| politic | unwise |
| sensible | inadvisable |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| expedient | 29-05 S2 | – | – | – | – |
| prudent | 18-05 S1 | 24-05 S2 | 29-05 S1 | 30-05 S2 | – |
| injudicious | – | – | 19-07 S1 | – | – |
| exorbitant | – | 23-05 S2 | – | – | – |