Choose the word, opposite in meaning to the underlined word from the given options to fill in the blank:-
We must not chase ephemeral things, instead build things that are ________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → perennial
- Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. It comes from the Greek epi (upon) + hemera (day): "lasting only a day". The sentence asks us not to chase things that pass quickly.
Example: Fame on social media is often ephemeral. - Perennial (from the Latin per, through + annus, year) means lasting for a very long time, or for ever. Short-lived and long-lasting are opposites, so perennial is the antonym of ephemeral.
Example: The Ganga is a perennial river.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: fleeting — Incorrect. Fleeting means lasting a very short time; it is a synonym of ephemeral.
Example: I caught only a fleeting glimpse of the actor.
Option 2: materialistic — Incorrect. Materialistic means caring too much about money and possessions; it says nothing about how long something lasts.
Example: He became materialistic after he got rich.
Option 4: momentary — Incorrect. Momentary means lasting only a moment; it too is a synonym of ephemeral.
Example: There was a momentary silence before the applause.
| Synonyms (Ephemeral) | Antonyms (Ephemeral) |
|---|---|
| fleeting | perennial |
| momentary | permanent |
| transient | enduring |
| short-lived | everlasting |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ephemeral | 14-05 S1 | 16-05 S1 21-05 S2 27-05 S1 29-05 S1 30-05 S1 | – | 01-06 S3 02-06 S3 23-06 S2 | – |
| fleeting | 15-05 S1 | 29-05 S1 31-05 S1 02-06 S2 | – | – | – |
| perennial | – | – | – | – | 16-09 S1 |