Select the antonym of the given word: Ostentatious
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → unobtrusive
- Ostentatious means showy, meant to attract attention or to display wealth. It comes from the Latin ostentare (to show off, display).
Example: They held an ostentatious wedding with ten thousand guests. - Unobtrusive means not attracting attention, quiet and modest. Showing off and keeping in the background are opposites, so unobtrusive is the antonym of ostentatious.
Example: The waiters were polite and unobtrusive.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: grand — Incorrect. Grand means large and impressive; it is close to showy, not its opposite.
Example: They stayed in a grand old hotel.
Option 2: magnificent — Incorrect. Magnificent means very beautiful and impressive, splendid; again close to ostentatious.
Example: The palace had a magnificent hall.
Option 4: lofty — Incorrect. Lofty means very high, or noble in aims; it is not the opposite of showy.
Example: The building had lofty ceilings.
| Synonyms (Ostentatious) | Antonyms (Ostentatious) |
|---|---|
| showy | unobtrusive |
| flashy | modest |
| flamboyant | understated |
| pretentious | unassuming |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unobtrusive | – | 13-05 S1 | – | – | – |
| lofty | – | 02-06 S2 | – | – | – |