The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam stands as a crucial milestone for individuals aspiring to serve in the esteemed armed forces. Within the English section of the CDS exam, a solid grasp of essential words is paramount for success. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, presenting a curated list of important words frequently asked in the CDS exam, along with example sentences, synonyms, and antonyms, to aid candidates in their preparation.

ØPROXIMITY: Nearness

•Example: He worked in close proximity to his home.

•Synonyms: propinquity, vicinity

•Antonyms: remoteness, farness, distance

Ø PUNITIVE: Inflicting, or concerned with, punishment

•Example: The court took punitive measures against deserters.

•Synonyms: penal, disciplinary, penitentiary

•Antonyms: compensatory, nonpunitive, exonerating

Ø QUERULOUS: Given to fault-finding and complaining

•Example: Her querulous nature estranged many people.

•Synonyms: fretful, whining, captious, carping, peevish, petulant

•Antonyms: affable, calm, cordial, benevolent, amiable, genial

Ø QUIXOTIC: Extravagantly romantic or idealistic; highly impractical

•Example: The company was selling a quixotic scheme that can never materialize.

•Synonyms: utopian, visionary, fantastic

•Antonyms: realistic, practical, pragmatic

Ø RADICAL: Thorough, extreme; One who advocates extreme basic changes

•Example: The reform movement was led by a radical. He adopted radical measures to meet the emergency.

•Synonyms: stringent, rigorous, reformist, revolutionary, zealot

•Antonyms: superficial, conservative, reactionary, moderate

Ø RAZE: To tear down completely

•Example: Villages were razed to the ground due to the cyclone.

•Synonyms: level, destroy, demolish

•Antonym: rear, erect, raise

Ø RECAPITULATE: To restate in a brief, concise form; to sum up

•Example: He recapitulated the main ideas in brief.

•Synonyms: summarize, reiterate, review

•Antonyms: expansion, enlargement, explanation, amplification

Ø RECIPROCAL: Mutual; done in return for something received

•Example: The couple held each other in reciprocal esteem.

•Synonyms: corresponding, requited, reciprocated, shared 

•Antonyms: nonreciprocal, unrequited, antagonistic

Ø RECUMBENT: Lying down; leaning back or down

•Example: When I visited his house, he was resting in a recumbent position.

•Synonyms: reclining, sprawled, prone

•Antonyms: erect, standing, upright

Ø REDOLENT: Fragrant; reminiscent of

•Example: The church was old and redolent of incense. It was redolent of olden times.

•Synonyms: perfumed, ambrosial, aromatic; evocative, suggestive, remindful

•Antonyms: putrid, malodorous, fetid; unmindful, unaware, incognizant

For more words, check out Top 25 Most Important Words With Synonyms & Antonyms | Part 8 | CDS 1 2024 | UPSC

Strategies for Preparation:

• Create flashcards or mnemonic devices to aid memorization.
• Practice using the words in sentences to reinforce understanding.
• Engage in regular reading and vocabulary-building exercises.
• Utilize online resources and vocabulary lists specific to the CDS exam.
• Review synonyms and antonyms to grasp the nuances of word meanings.

Conclusion:

Mastering essential words is a key component of success in the English section of the CDS exam. By familiarizing themselves with the words presented in this article, along with their example sentences, synonyms, and antonyms, candidates can enhance their language skills and approach the exam with confidence. Through dedicated practice and strategic preparation, aspiring candidates can elevate their performance and embark on the path towards achieving success in the CDS exam and beyond.