CDS English · Vocabulary
Antonyms: words for people and character
Words that describe what a person is like, kind or cruel, humble or proud, quiet or talkative, loyal or rebellious, with the opposites CDS has asked for.
Why this matters
Words for character are the largest family among CDS antonyms. Almost all of them carry a strong charge, so the first check of the method, good or bad, already removes most options. Learn them as pairs of opposites, not one word at a time.
Concept 1 of 4: Goodwill and ill-will
Two camps: words for wishing others well, and words for wishing them harm. Each tested word sits firmly in one camp, and its opposite is in the other. The wrong options are usually more words from the same camp as the tested word.
Definition
- Goodwill: benevolent (wishing good), charitable (generous to the needy), compassionate (feeling others' pain), philanthropic (helping mankind), virtuous (morally good), admirable.
- Ill will: malicious and malevolent (wanting to harm), spiteful, vindictive (wanting revenge), nefarious and iniquitous (wicked), abominable (hateful), repulsive (disgusting).
- Roots help: bene- 'well' against mal- 'badly' (benevolent, malevolent).
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| philanthropy | love of mankind, giving to good causes | nastiness | charity, benevolence (synonyms), likeliness | 2020 (I)Q |
| compassion | pity and concern for others' suffering | indifference | empathy (synonym), carefulness, hardship | 2020 (I)Q |
| charitable | kind and generous to those in need | malevolent | gracious, lenient (near-synonyms), unforeseen | 2020 (I)Q |
| malicious | meaning to do harm | benevolent | pernicious, spiteful, vindictive (synonyms) | 2023 (I)Q |
| nefarious | wicked, criminal | admirable | flagitious, execrable, abominable (synonyms) | 2024 (I)Q |
| iniquitous | grossly unfair, wicked | virtuous | execrable, revolting (near-synonyms), preposterous | 2024 (II)Q |
| abominable | hateful, disgusting | attractive | abhorrent, repugnant (synonyms), reputable | 2018 (I)Q Reputable (well thought of) also runs against abominable; attractive is the fuller opposite of a repellent figure. |
| abomination | something hateful; intense hatred | adoration | abhorrence, detestation (synonyms), termination | 2023 (II)Q |
| charming | delightful, pleasing | repulsive | enchanting, hypnotic, fascinating (synonyms) | 2018 (I)Q |
Every opposite here crosses from one camp to the other; every struck option stays in the tested word's camp.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2023 · CDS (I) 2023 — English · Q77Easy
Example 1 · Vocabulary · Antonyms: People and Character
Directions: opposite in meaning to the underlined word
His malicious intentions were aborted.
Two bad words are not opposites
For a wicked word like 'nefarious', the options 'flagitious', 'execrable' and 'abominable' are all wicked words too. A strong word is not an opposite just because it is unfamiliar. Look for the one option in the other camp.
Concept 2 of 4: Respect and scorn, modesty and pride
These words describe how a person treats others and how they see themselves. Looking up to others (respect) is the opposite of looking down on them (scorn). Thinking little of yourself (humility, modesty) is the opposite of pushing yourself forward (pride, boldness).
Definition
- Respect: respectful, reverential (showing deep respect).
- Scorn: disdainful, contemptuous, scornful, sneering, insolent (rude to those above you), condescending and patronising (talking down).
- Modesty: humility, demure (quiet and modest), unimpressive.
- Pride and boldness: self-aggrandisement (making yourself bigger), brazen (shamelessly bold), redoubtable (formidable).
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| disdainful | showing scorn, looking down on others | respectful | sneering, mocking (synonyms), cheerful | 2018 (II)Q |
| disdainful | showing scorn, looking down on others | respectful | contemptuous, dismissive, scornful (synonyms) | 2023 (I)Q |
| insolent | rude and disrespectful | respectful | impudent (synonym), autocratic, thought provoking | 2019 (II)Q |
| contemptuous | showing scorn | reverential | condescending, patronising, arrogant (synonyms) | 2026 (I)Q |
| self-aggrandisement | making oneself more powerful or important | humility | elevation, upliftment (near-synonyms), exaggeration | 2023 (II)Q |
| redoubtable | formidable, worthy of fear or respect | unimpressive | formidable, fearsome, awe inspiring (synonyms) | 2023 (I)Q |
| demure | shy, quiet and modest | brazen | sedate, modest, solemn (synonyms) | 2026 (I)Q |
Disdainful is the one word in this family set twice, and respectful was the opposite both times.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2023 · CDS (I) 2023 — English · Q74Easy
Example 2 · Vocabulary · Antonyms: People and Character
Directions: opposite in meaning to the underlined word
She has always been disdainful of people who haven't been to college.
Talking down is still scorn
'Condescending' and 'patronising' sound polite, but they mean treating someone as lower than you. They are synonyms of 'contemptuous', not opposites. The opposite is a respect word such as 'reverential'.
Concept 3 of 4: Temperament and habits
These words describe how a person behaves: how much they talk, how strongly they feel, how they spend, how firm or how odd they are. Most come in clean pairs: quiet against talkative, extreme against moderate, mean with money against wasteful.
Definition
- Talk: reticent, taciturn, reserved (say little) against garrulous, voluble, effusive (say a lot, pour out feeling).
- Strength of feeling: fanatical, vehement, ardent (extreme, forceful) against moderate, subdued.
- Money: frugal, parsimonious, sparing (spend little) against extravagant (spend too much).
- Experience and judgment: naive, childish (innocent, immature) against wise, seasoned.
- Firmness and oddness: steadfast (firm, loyal) against unreliable; eccentric (odd) against normal.
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| naive | innocent, lacking experience | wise | credulous, childlike, innocent (synonyms) | 2018 (I)Q |
| fanatical | extreme and intolerant in belief | moderate | bigoted, rabid, militant (synonyms) | 2019 (I)Q |
| steadfast | firm and loyal | unreliable | committed, unwavering, unfaltering (synonyms) | 2019 (I)Q |
| reticent | unwilling to talk, reserved | garrulous | taciturn, reserved, quiet (synonyms) | 2022 (I)Q |
| effusive | pouring out feeling, gushing | reticent | exuberant, profuse, voluble (synonyms) | 2024 (II)Q |
| childish | silly and immature | seasoned | infantile (synonym), harmonious, exquisite | 2022 (I)Q |
| an eccentric | odd, unconventional | a normal | an odd, a peculiar, an idiosyncratic (synonyms) | 2021 (II)Q |
| vehement | forceful and passionate | subdued | ardent, fervent, impassioned (synonyms) | 2024 (I)Q |
| frugal | simple and cheap, sparing | extravagant | sparing, meagre (synonyms), delicious | 2023 (I)Q |
| parsimonious | very unwilling to spend money | extravagant | frugal, sparing (synonyms), partisan | 2026 (I)Q |
Reticent was once the word tested and once the answer (for effusive): learn a pair, and both directions are covered.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2022 · CDS (I) 2022 — English · Q66Moderate
Example 3 · Vocabulary · Antonyms: People and Character
Directions: word opposite in meaning to the underlined word
Mohan is quite reticent.
A synonym of a synonym is still a synonym
'Frugal' was an option when 'parsimonious' was tested. Both mean spending little, so 'frugal' is a synonym, not the answer. Two of the options for 'parsimonious' were 'frugal' and 'sparing': strike both and find 'extravagant'.
Keep the article with the word
When the underline covers 'an eccentric', the options carry their own articles: 'an odd', 'a normal'. The answer is 'a normal'; the article only has to fit the next word, so do not reject an option for its 'a' or 'an'.
Concept 4 of 4: Loyalty and rebellion
Words for standing with a group or a belief, and words for turning against it. A friend or believer stands with you; a foe, a rebel or a heretic stands against you.
Definition
- Against: mutinous (rebelling against officers or rulers), heretic (one who rejects the accepted belief), foe (enemy), opponent, renegade and apostate (one who deserts a cause or faith).
- With: obedient, believer, friend, confidant (a trusted friend you share secrets with).
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mutinous | rebelling against authority | obedient | arrogant, lucky, sincere (unrelated) | 2018 (II)Q |
| heretics | people who reject the accepted belief | believer | dissenter, renegade, apostate (synonyms) | 2019 (I)Q |
| foes | enemies | friends | opponents (synonym), protagonists, soul mates | 2018 (II)Q |
| confidants | trusted close friends | opponents | intimate, close friend (synonyms), colleague | 2020 (II)Q |
Mutinous has been set twice, and obedient was the opposite both times.
Practice this conceptself-check · 3 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2019 · CDS (I) 2019 — English · Q22Moderate
Example 4 · Vocabulary · Antonyms: People and Character
Directions: opposite in meaning to the underlined word
Religious fundamentalists often consider the followers of other religions to be heretics.
Confidant is not 'confident'
A confidant is a person you trust with secrets. 'Confident' is an adjective meaning sure of yourself. Read the spelling: the tested word is a person, so its opposite is a person too, such as 'opponents'.
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (4)
Goodwill and ill-will9 rows
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| philanthropy | love of mankind, giving to good causes | nastiness | charity, benevolence (synonyms), likeliness | 2020 (I)Q |
| compassion | pity and concern for others' suffering | indifference | empathy (synonym), carefulness, hardship | 2020 (I)Q |
| charitable | kind and generous to those in need | malevolent | gracious, lenient (near-synonyms), unforeseen | 2020 (I)Q |
| malicious | meaning to do harm | benevolent | pernicious, spiteful, vindictive (synonyms) | 2023 (I)Q |
| nefarious | wicked, criminal | admirable | flagitious, execrable, abominable (synonyms) | 2024 (I)Q |
| iniquitous | grossly unfair, wicked | virtuous | execrable, revolting (near-synonyms), preposterous | 2024 (II)Q |
| abominable | hateful, disgusting | attractive | abhorrent, repugnant (synonyms), reputable | 2018 (I)Q Reputable (well thought of) also runs against abominable; attractive is the fuller opposite of a repellent figure. |
| abomination | something hateful; intense hatred | adoration | abhorrence, detestation (synonyms), termination | 2023 (II)Q |
| charming | delightful, pleasing | repulsive | enchanting, hypnotic, fascinating (synonyms) | 2018 (I)Q |
Every opposite here crosses from one camp to the other; every struck option stays in the tested word's camp.
Respect and scorn, modesty and pride7 rows
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| disdainful | showing scorn, looking down on others | respectful | sneering, mocking (synonyms), cheerful | 2018 (II)Q |
| disdainful | showing scorn, looking down on others | respectful | contemptuous, dismissive, scornful (synonyms) | 2023 (I)Q |
| insolent | rude and disrespectful | respectful | impudent (synonym), autocratic, thought provoking | 2019 (II)Q |
| contemptuous | showing scorn | reverential | condescending, patronising, arrogant (synonyms) | 2026 (I)Q |
| self-aggrandisement | making oneself more powerful or important | humility | elevation, upliftment (near-synonyms), exaggeration | 2023 (II)Q |
| redoubtable | formidable, worthy of fear or respect | unimpressive | formidable, fearsome, awe inspiring (synonyms) | 2023 (I)Q |
| demure | shy, quiet and modest | brazen | sedate, modest, solemn (synonyms) | 2026 (I)Q |
Disdainful is the one word in this family set twice, and respectful was the opposite both times.
Temperament and habits10 rows
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| naive | innocent, lacking experience | wise | credulous, childlike, innocent (synonyms) | 2018 (I)Q |
| fanatical | extreme and intolerant in belief | moderate | bigoted, rabid, militant (synonyms) | 2019 (I)Q |
| steadfast | firm and loyal | unreliable | committed, unwavering, unfaltering (synonyms) | 2019 (I)Q |
| reticent | unwilling to talk, reserved | garrulous | taciturn, reserved, quiet (synonyms) | 2022 (I)Q |
| effusive | pouring out feeling, gushing | reticent | exuberant, profuse, voluble (synonyms) | 2024 (II)Q |
| childish | silly and immature | seasoned | infantile (synonym), harmonious, exquisite | 2022 (I)Q |
| an eccentric | odd, unconventional | a normal | an odd, a peculiar, an idiosyncratic (synonyms) | 2021 (II)Q |
| vehement | forceful and passionate | subdued | ardent, fervent, impassioned (synonyms) | 2024 (I)Q |
| frugal | simple and cheap, sparing | extravagant | sparing, meagre (synonyms), delicious | 2023 (I)Q |
| parsimonious | very unwilling to spend money | extravagant | frugal, sparing (synonyms), partisan | 2026 (I)Q |
Reticent was once the word tested and once the answer (for effusive): learn a pair, and both directions are covered.
Loyalty and rebellion4 rows
| Word | Meaning | Opposite | Other options | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mutinous | rebelling against authority | obedient | arrogant, lucky, sincere (unrelated) | 2018 (II)Q |
| heretics | people who reject the accepted belief | believer | dissenter, renegade, apostate (synonyms) | 2019 (I)Q |
| foes | enemies | friends | opponents (synonym), protagonists, soul mates | 2018 (II)Q |
| confidants | trusted close friends | opponents | intimate, close friend (synonyms), colleague | 2020 (II)Q |
Mutinous has been set twice, and obedient was the opposite both times.
Watch out for (5)
- Two bad words are not opposites→ Goodwill and ill-will
- Talking down is still scorn→ Respect and scorn, modesty and pride
- A synonym of a synonym is still a synonym→ Temperament and habits
- Keep the article with the word→ Temperament and habits
- Confidant is not 'confident'→ Loyalty and rebellion
Test yourself on Vocabulary
20 past CDS questions from this chapter, timed at 20 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.