One Word Substitution for SSC CGL: Quick Answer
One word substitution for SSC CGL means replacing a group of words with a single word that carries the same meaning, for example "a person who loves books" = bibliophile, or "government by the rich" = plutocracy. SSC CGL Tier 1 usually asks 1 to 2 one word substitution questions per shift. This note gives 304 one-word substitutes grouped by theme (persons, government, law, places, science, phobias, writing, qualities) with short meanings, and marks the 69 that were asked in SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 shifts.
🔥 Key Exam Takeaway: Learn one word substitutions by theme and by root. If you know that -cracy means rule, -cide means killing, -phobia means fear and -logy means study, you can crack many unfamiliar options in seconds.
Every word and meaning here was checked against the Cambridge Dictionary, with the Oxford Learner's Dictionary used where Cambridge has no entry (for example philologist and alimony). The "Asked in SSC CGL 2025" column is filled only where a shift-wise source confirms the word in that exact shift: EduRev's shift-tagged list of SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 questions, with ascetic (12 September 2025, Shift 2) also confirmed by Izycrack's shift analysis. No reliable shift-wise list for SSC CGL 2026 or CHSL 2025 was available when this was written, so nothing is marked for them.
How One Word Substitution Is Asked in SSC CGL
| Question type | Example | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Direct | "Select the most appropriate one-word substitution for: A person who opposes war" | Match every part of the phrase, not just one idea |
| Italicised part of a sentence | "The professor specialised in the study of ancient societies" | Read the full sentence for context |
| Close options | Plutocracy / Oligarchy / Aristocracy / Meritocracy | Use the root (pluto = wealth) to decide |
One word substitution weightage in SSC CGL
Shift-wise topic tables for SSC CGL Tier 1 (for example on ixambee and Notifyhere) show 1 to 2 one word substitution questions per shift. The topic also appears in CHSL, MTS, CPO and CGL Tier 2.
Root-Word Trick for One Word Substitution (Step-by-Step)
- Spot the root in each option. Most SSC options share a pattern (-cide, -cracy, -phobia, -logy, -ist).
- Translate the root. Use the table below.
- Match the second idea. "Killing of a father" needs patri- + -cide = patricide.
- Eliminate near-misses. Somnambulist walks in sleep; somniloquist talks in sleep; insomniac cannot sleep.
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -cide | killing | homicide, genocide, patricide, regicide |
| -cracy | rule, government | democracy, plutocracy, theocracy, kleptocracy |
| -phobia | fear | acrophobia, claustrophobia, glossophobia |
| -logy | study of | archaeology, ornithology, entomology, etymology |
| -phile | lover of | bibliophile |
| mis- / miso- | hatred of | misanthrope, misogynist |
| omni- | all | omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnivore |
| poly- | many | polyglot, polymath, polygamy |
| in- / il- / ir- / im- | not | inaudible, illegible, irreparable, impregnable |
| auto- | self | autobiography, autocracy |
| -vore | eater | carnivore, herbivore, omnivore |
One Word Substitution List for SSC CGL (Grouped by Theme)
✅ = asked in an SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 shift (date and shift given; S1 = Shift 1).
One Word Substitution for Persons: Beliefs and Attitudes (SSC CGL List)
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Agnostic | A person who believes we cannot know whether God exists | – |
| Altruist | A person who cares about others more than about themselves | – |
| Anarchist | A person who believes there should be no government | ✅ 21 Sep, S1 |
| Apostate | A person who has given up their religion or party | ✅ 16 Sep, S3 |
| Ascetic | A person who lives a simple life without comforts, often for religious reasons | ✅ 12 Sep, S2 |
| Atheist | A person who believes that God does not exist | – |
| Bigot | A person with strong, unfair opinions who will not accept other views | – |
| Chauvinist | A person who believes their own country, group or sex is better than others | – |
| Conservative | A person who prefers traditional ways and dislikes sudden change | – |
| Cosmopolitan | A person who has lived in or feels at home in many countries | – |
| Cynic | A person who believes people act only for selfish reasons | ✅ 21 Sep, S3; 23 Sep, S3 |
| Dissident | A person who publicly opposes official policy | ✅ 15 Sep, S2 |
| Egoist | A person who thinks mainly about themselves | – |
| Egotist | A person who talks too much about themselves | – |
| Extrovert | A lively, confident person who enjoys being with others | – |
| Fanatic | A person whose enthusiasm for a belief is extreme and unreasonable | – |
| Fatalist | A person who believes events are decided by fate and cannot be changed | ✅ 18 Sep, S3 |
| Feminist | A person who believes women should have the same rights as men | – |
| Hedonist | A person who believes pleasure is the most important thing in life | – |
| Heretic | A person whose beliefs are against those of their religion | – |
| Hermit | A person who lives alone, often for religious reasons | – |
| Hypocrite | A person who pretends to have beliefs or virtues they do not have | – |
| Iconoclast | A person who attacks popular beliefs or established customs | ✅ 22 Sep, S2 |
| Introvert | A quiet person who prefers being alone or with few people | – |
| Martinet | A person who demands very strict obedience to rules | ✅ 24 Sep, S1 |
| Maverick | An independent person who thinks and acts differently from others | – |
| Misanthrope | A person who dislikes people in general | – |
| Misogynist | A person who dislikes women or believes they are inferior | – |
| Optimist | A person who expects good things to happen | – |
| Pacifist | A person who believes war and violence are always wrong | ✅ 17 Sep, S3 |
| Patriot | A person who loves their country and is ready to defend it | – |
| Pedant | A person too concerned with small details or rules | ✅ 18 Sep, S2 |
| Pessimist | A person who expects bad things to happen | ✅ 23 Sep, S1 |
| Philanthropist | A person who gives money and help to people in need | – |
| Puritan | A person with very strict moral or religious standards | – |
| Radical | A person who wants complete political or social change | – |
| Recluse | A person who lives alone and avoids other people | ✅ 25 Sep, S1 |
| Reformer | A person who works to improve a system or society | ✅ 17 Sep, S1 |
| Renegade | A person who leaves one side and joins the opposing side | – |
| Sceptic | A person who doubts claims or ideas that others accept | – |
| Stoic | A person who bears pain or trouble without complaining | ✅ 17 Sep, S2 |
| Sycophant | A person who praises powerful people to gain an advantage | – |
| Theist | A person who believes in God | – |
| Xenophobe | A person who strongly dislikes foreigners | – |
One Word Substitution for Persons: Habits, Skills and Jobs
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Amateur | A person who does something for pleasure, not as a job | – |
| Anthropologist | A person who studies human societies and cultures | – |
| Archaeologist | A person who studies ancient remains | – |
| Arsonist | A person who deliberately sets fire to property | – |
| Bankrupt | A person who is legally declared unable to pay their debts | ✅ 24 Sep, S2 |
| Bibliophile | A person who loves or collects books | ✅ 20 Sep, S2 |
| Calligrapher | A person skilled in beautiful handwriting | – |
| Cannibal | A person who eats human flesh | ✅ 21 Sep, S3 |
| Cartographer | A person who makes maps | ✅ 13 Sep, S3 |
| Celibate | A person who chooses not to marry or have sexual relations | – |
| Charlatan | A person who falsely claims special knowledge or skill | ✅ 17 Sep, S2 |
| Cobbler | A person who repairs shoes | – |
| Connoisseur | An expert judge in matters of taste, such as art or food | – |
| Creditor | A person or company to whom money is owed | – |
| Debtor | A person who owes money | – |
| Emigrant | A person who leaves their country to live in another | – |
| Entomologist | A person who studies insects | – |
| Epicure | A person who enjoys high-quality food and drink | ✅ 18 Sep, S3 |
| Fugitive | A person running away, especially from the police | – |
| Glutton | A person who eats far too much | ✅ 14 Sep, S1 |
| Gourmet | A person who knows a lot about good food and drink | – |
| Hypochondriac | A person who worries too much that they are ill | – |
| Immigrant | A person who comes to live permanently in a new country | – |
| Impostor | A person who pretends to be someone else to deceive | ✅ 19 Sep, S1 |
| Insomniac | A person who regularly cannot sleep | – |
| Kleptomaniac | A person with a strong urge to steal that they cannot control | – |
| Lexicographer | A person who writes dictionaries | – |
| Mentor | An experienced person who advises someone less experienced | – |
| Mercenary | A soldier who fights for any country for money | – |
| Miser | A person who hates spending money | – |
| Nomad | A person who keeps moving from place to place | – |
| Novice | A person who is new to an activity | – |
| Numismatist | A person who studies or collects coins | – |
| Optician | A person who tests eyes and sells glasses | – |
| Ornithologist | A person who studies birds | – |
| Orphan | A child whose parents are dead | – |
| Pathologist | A doctor who studies diseases, especially by examining body tissue | – |
| Philatelist | A person who collects stamps | – |
| Philologist | A person who studies the history of languages | – |
| Pilgrim | A person who travels to a holy place | – |
| Plagiarist | A person who copies another's work and presents it as their own | – |
| Polyglot | A person who knows many languages | – |
| Polymath | A person who knows a lot about many subjects | ✅ 24 Sep, S2 |
| Predecessor | A person who held a job or position before someone else | – |
| Prodigy | A young person with exceptional ability | – |
| Proletariat | The class of workers who do not own property | – |
| Refugee | A person forced to leave their country because of war or danger | – |
| Sculptor | An artist who makes figures from stone, wood or metal | – |
| Smuggler | A person who takes goods secretly and illegally into or out of a country | – |
| Somnambulist | A person who walks in their sleep | – |
| Spendthrift | A person who spends money carelessly | – |
| Spinster | An older woman who has never married (old-fashioned) | – |
| Successor | A person who takes a job or position after someone else | – |
| Sybarite | A person who loves luxury and pleasure | ✅ 26 Sep, S2 |
| Teetotaller | A person who never drinks alcohol | – |
| Vegan | A person who eats no meat, fish or animal products | – |
| Vegetarian | A person who does not eat meat or fish | – |
| Veteran | A person with long experience in a field | – |
| Virtuoso | A person highly skilled in music or another art | ✅ 20 Sep, S3 |
| Volunteer | A person who offers to do something without being forced or paid | – |
| Widow | A woman whose husband has died | – |
| Widower | A man whose wife has died | – |
One Word Substitution for Government and Politics
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Amnesty | An official pardon for people who have committed crimes | ✅ 16 Sep, S1 |
| Anarchy | A situation with no government or order | – |
| Aristocracy | The highest social class, usually with titles; government by them | – |
| Asylum | Protection given by a country to someone fleeing danger | – |
| Autocracy | Government by one person with total power | ✅ 23 Sep, S3 |
| Bureaucracy | A system run by officials with many fixed rules | – |
| Constituency | The voters of an area who elect a representative | – |
| Coup | A sudden, illegal seizure of power by a small group | – |
| Democracy | Government by the people, usually through elected representatives | – |
| Dictator | A ruler with total power who has not been elected | – |
| Embargo | An official ban on trade with another country | – |
| Incumbent | A person who holds an official position at present | – |
| Interregnum | A period when a country has no normal ruler | – |
| Kleptocracy | Government by leaders who steal the country's money | ✅ 19 Sep, S1 |
| Manifesto | A public statement of a party's aims and policies | – |
| Meritocracy | A system in which people are chosen for their ability | – |
| Monarchy | A system with a king or queen as head of state | – |
| Mutiny | A rebellion by soldiers or sailors against their officers | – |
| Oligarchy | Government by a small group of people | ✅ 25 Sep, S3 |
| Plutocracy | Government by the rich | ✅ 13 Sep, S1 |
| Referendum | A vote by all the people on one important question | – |
| Regicide | The killing of a king or queen | – |
| Sanctuary | A place of safety or protection | – |
| Sedition | Speech or action that encourages people to rebel against the government | – |
| Theocracy | Government by religious leaders | ✅ 19 Sep, S3 |
| Treason | The crime of betraying your country | – |
| Tyrant | A cruel and unfair ruler with total power | – |
| Ultimatum | A final demand with a threat if it is not met | – |
One Word Substitution for Law, Crime and Punishment
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Acquittal | A decision in court that someone is not guilty | – |
| Alibi | Proof that someone was somewhere else when a crime happened | – |
| Alimony | Money paid to a former husband or wife after divorce | – |
| Arson | The crime of deliberately setting fire to property | ✅ 15 Sep, S1 |
| Bigamy | Being married to two people at the same time | – |
| Burglary | Entering a building illegally to steal | – |
| Censure | Strong official criticism | ✅ 12 Sep, S1 |
| Defendant | A person in a court who is accused of something | – |
| Forgery | Making an illegal copy of a document, signature or money | – |
| Fratricide | The killing of one's own brother or sister | – |
| Genocide | The deliberate killing of a whole national or ethnic group | – |
| Homicide | The crime of killing a person | – |
| Hostage | A person held prisoner until demands are met | – |
| Illicit | Illegal or not approved by society | – |
| Infanticide | The killing of a baby | – |
| Legitimate | Allowed by law; reasonable and acceptable | – |
| Litigation | The process of taking a case to a court of law | – |
| Matricide | The killing of one's own mother | – |
| Monogamy | Having only one husband or wife at a time | – |
| Parole | Early release of a prisoner on condition of good behaviour | – |
| Patricide | The killing of one's own father | – |
| Perjury | The crime of telling a lie in court after promising to tell the truth | – |
| Plaintiff | A person who brings a case against another in a court | – |
| Polygamy | Having more than one wife or husband at the same time | – |
| Remission | A reduction of a prison sentence; cancellation of a debt or penalty | ✅ 20 Sep, S1 |
| Reprieve | An official order that cancels or delays a punishment | – |
| Suicide | The act of killing oneself | – |
| Testimony | A formal statement that something is true, given in court | – |
| Verdict | The decision made by a court or jury | – |
| Witness | A person who sees an event and can describe it | – |
One Word Substitution for Places
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Abattoir | A place where animals are killed for meat | – |
| Apiary | A place where bees are kept | – |
| Aquarium | A glass tank or building where fish are kept | – |
| Archives | A collection of historical records, or the place where they are kept | – |
| Arsenal | A building where weapons are stored or made | – |
| Aviary | A large cage or building for keeping birds | – |
| Burrow | A hole in the ground dug by an animal such as a rabbit | – |
| Cemetery | A place where dead people are buried | – |
| Convent | A building where nuns live | – |
| Crematorium | A building where dead bodies are burned | – |
| Den | The home of certain wild animals, such as lions | – |
| Dock | An area of water in a port where ships are loaded or repaired | – |
| Dormitory | A large bedroom for many people, as in a hostel | – |
| Granary | A building for storing grain | – |
| Hangar | A large building where aircraft are kept | – |
| Infirmary | A place where sick people are cared for, as in a school | – |
| Kennel | A small shelter for a dog | – |
| Mausoleum | A building that holds the tomb of an important person | – |
| Menagerie | A collection of wild animals kept for people to see | ✅ 19 Sep, S2 |
| Mint | A place where coins are made | ✅ 22 Sep, S1 |
| Monastery | A building where monks live | – |
| Mortuary | A room or building where dead bodies are kept until burial | ✅ 19 Sep, S2 |
| Nursery | A place where young children are cared for; a place where plants are grown | – |
| Observatory | A building with telescopes for studying the stars | – |
| Orphanage | A home for children without parents | – |
| Pantry | A small room for storing food | – |
| Quarry | A place where stone is dug out of the ground | – |
| Reservoir | A lake used as a water supply | – |
| Sanatorium | A hospital for people with long illnesses | – |
| Stable | A building where horses are kept | – |
One Word Substitution for Science, Study and Medicine
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Loss of memory | – |
| Anaesthetic | A substance that stops you feeling pain | – |
| Analgesic | A drug that reduces pain | ✅ 26 Sep, S2 |
| Anthropology | The study of human societies and cultures | ✅ 21 Sep, S2 |
| Antidote | A substance that stops the effects of a poison | – |
| Archaeology | The study of ancient cultures through their remains | ✅ 20 Sep, S2 |
| Astrology | The study of how stars are believed to influence people | – |
| Astronomy | The scientific study of stars and planets | – |
| Autopsy | An examination of a dead body to find the cause of death | – |
| Botany | The scientific study of plants | – |
| Calligraphy | The art of beautiful handwriting | – |
| Cartography | The science or art of making maps | – |
| Contagious | Spreading from one person to another by touch | – |
| Endemic | Regularly found in a particular place or among a particular group | – |
| Entomology | The scientific study of insects | – |
| Epidemic | A disease affecting many people in one area at the same time | – |
| Etymology | The study of the origin and history of words | – |
| Fatal | Causing death | – |
| Geology | The study of rocks and the structure of the earth | – |
| Incurable | Impossible to cure | – |
| Insomnia | The condition of being unable to sleep | – |
| Numismatics | The study or collection of coins and medals | ✅ 26 Sep, S3 |
| Ornithology | The scientific study of birds | – |
| Panacea | A cure for all problems or illnesses | – |
| Pandemic | A disease that spreads over a whole country or the world | – |
| Pathology | The scientific study of diseases | – |
| Philately | The collecting of stamps | – |
| Placebo | A harmless substance given as medicine for its effect on the mind | ✅ 19 Sep, S3 |
| Psychology | The scientific study of the mind and behaviour | – |
| Seismology | The scientific study of earthquakes | – |
| Zoology | The scientific study of animals | – |
One Word Substitution for Fears (Phobia Words)
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Acrophobia | Extreme fear of heights | – |
| Agoraphobia | Fear of open or public places | ✅ 26 Sep, S3 |
| Arachnophobia | Extreme fear of spiders | – |
| Claustrophobia | Fear of being in closed or small spaces | ✅ 22 Sep, S1 |
| Glossophobia | Fear of speaking in public | ✅ 15 Sep, S1 |
| Hydrophobia | Fear of water | – |
| Xenophobia | Fear or dislike of people from other countries | – |
One Word Substitution for Words, Speech and Writing
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous | Written or done by someone whose name is not known | – |
| Anthology | A collection of poems or stories by different writers | – |
| Antonym | A word with the opposite meaning to another | – |
| Autobiography | The story of a person's life written by that person | ✅ 21 Sep, S1 |
| Biography | The story of a person's life written by someone else | – |
| Cipher | A system of secret writing; a code | ✅ 16 Sep, S1 |
| Elegy | A sad poem, usually about someone who has died | – |
| Eloquent | Able to speak or write clearly and persuasively | – |
| Encomium | A speech or piece of writing that praises someone highly | ✅ 14 Sep, S3 |
| Epilogue | A short section at the end of a book or play | – |
| Epitaph | Words written on a tomb in memory of the dead person | ✅ 22 Sep, S2 |
| Eulogy | A speech or writing that praises someone, especially at a funeral | ✅ 21 Sep, S2 |
| Euphemism | A mild word used in place of an unpleasant one | ✅ 23 Sep, S1; 23 Sep, S2 |
| Extempore | Spoken or done without preparation | ✅ 22 Sep, S3 |
| Garrulous | Talking too much about unimportant things | – |
| Illegible | Impossible or very difficult to read | ✅ 16 Sep, S2 |
| Laconic | Using very few words | – |
| Manuscript | The original handwritten or typed copy of a book | – |
| Memoir | A written account of the writer's own memories and experiences | – |
| Monologue | A long speech by one person | – |
| Neologism | A new word or expression, or a new meaning for a word | ✅ 14 Oct, S2 |
| Obituary | A report of someone's death in a newspaper, with their life story | – |
| Paradox | A statement that seems impossible but may be true | ✅ 14 Sep, S2 |
| Plagiarism | Copying another person's work and presenting it as your own | – |
| Prologue | An introduction to a play, book or poem | – |
| Pseudonym | A false name used by a writer | – |
| Rhetoric | Speech or writing meant to persuade or impress | ✅ 22 Sep, S3 |
| Soliloquy | A speech in a play in which a character speaks their thoughts alone | – |
| Synonym | A word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another | – |
| Verbose | Using more words than are needed | – |
One Word Substitution for Qualities and States (Adjectives)
| One word | Meaning (group of words) | Asked in SSC CGL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Abeyance | A state of temporary stopping or disuse | ✅ 13 Sep, S2 |
| Abyss | A very deep hole that seems to have no bottom | ✅ 16 Sep, S2 |
| Ambidextrous | Able to use both hands equally well | – |
| Amphibian | An animal that can live on land and in water | – |
| Cacophony | An unpleasant mixture of loud sounds | ✅ 18 Sep, S1 |
| Carnivore | An animal that eats meat | – |
| Chicanery | Clever tricks used to deceive people | ✅ 20 Sep, S1 |
| Contemporary | Living or existing at the same time; modern | – |
| Desuetude | The state of being no longer used (of a law or custom) | ✅ 12 Sep, S3 |
| Edible | Safe to eat | – |
| Eligible | Having the right qualities to do or receive something | – |
| Enigma | Something or someone mysterious and hard to understand | ✅ 24 Sep, S3 |
| Ennui | A feeling of boredom and tiredness | ✅ 15 Sep, S3 |
| Ephemeral | Lasting a very short time | ✅ 23 Sep, S2 |
| Facsimile | An exact copy | ✅ 25 Sep, S1 |
| Feasible | Possible and practical | – |
| Fragile | Easily broken or damaged | – |
| Gullible | Easily tricked because you believe everything | – |
| Herbivore | An animal that eats only plants | – |
| Horde | A large crowd of people | ✅ 26 Sep, S1 |
| Impregnable | Impossible to enter or defeat by attack | – |
| Inaudible | Impossible to hear | – |
| Indelible | Impossible to remove or forget | – |
| Indispensable | Too important to be without | – |
| Inevitable | Certain to happen and impossible to avoid | – |
| Inexplicable | Impossible to explain | – |
| Infallible | Never wrong or never failing | – |
| Intangible | Impossible to touch; not physical | – |
| Invincible | Too strong to be defeated | – |
| Invisible | Impossible to see | – |
| Irreparable | Impossible to repair or put right | – |
| Irrevocable | Impossible to change or reverse | – |
| Lethargic | Without energy or enthusiasm | – |
| Nocturnal | Active at night | – |
| Nostalgia | A happy and slightly sad feeling when remembering the past | – |
| Obsolete | No longer used because something newer exists | ✅ 20 Sep, S3 |
| Omnipotent | Having unlimited power | – |
| Omnipresent | Present everywhere at the same time | – |
| Omniscient | Knowing everything | – |
| Omnivore | An animal or person that eats both plants and meat | ✅ 25 Sep, S2 |
| Perfidy | The act of deceiving someone who trusts you | ✅ 24 Sep, S1 |
| Unanimous | Agreed by everyone | – |
Most Confusing One Word Substitutions in SSC CGL (Look-Alike Pairs)
| Pair | Difference |
|---|---|
| Egoist vs Egotist | thinks mainly of himself vs talks too much about himself |
| Emigrant vs Immigrant | leaves his country vs comes into a new country |
| Epitaph vs Epilogue | words on a tomb vs end part of a book or play |
| Eulogy vs Elegy | speech of praise (often at a funeral) vs sad poem for the dead |
| Plutocracy vs Oligarchy | rule by the rich vs rule by a few |
| Theist vs Atheist vs Agnostic | believes in God vs believes God does not exist vs says we cannot know |
| Somnambulist vs Insomniac | walks in sleep vs cannot sleep |
| Hermit vs Recluse | lives alone, often for religion vs avoids people (no religious reason needed) |
| Epidemic vs Pandemic vs Endemic | many people in one area vs spread over countries vs regularly found in one area |
| Autobiography vs Biography vs Memoir | own life by self vs life written by another vs writer's memories of people and events |
| Gourmet vs Glutton | knows good food vs eats too much |
| Illicit vs Legitimate | illegal vs allowed by law |
Common Mistakes in One Word Substitution Questions
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Matching only half the phrase | "A person who hates marriage" is not misogynist (hates women) |
| Ignoring the part of speech | If the phrase describes a thing ("impossible to read"), the answer is an adjective (illegible), not a noun |
| Mixing roots | -cide is killing, -cracy is rule; regicide is killing a king, not rule by a king |
| Choosing a near-synonym | Reprieve delays a punishment; acquittal means found not guilty; amnesty is a general official pardon |
Quick Revision: 25 Most Asked One Word Substitutions for SSC CGL
| Phrase | One word |
|---|---|
| Government by the rich | Plutocracy |
| Government by religious leaders | Theocracy |
| Government by thieves who rob the nation | Kleptocracy |
| A person who opposes war | Pacifist |
| A person who walks in sleep | Somnambulist |
| A person who loves books | Bibliophile |
| A person who knows many languages | Polyglot |
| A person skilled in many subjects | Polymath |
| One who pretends to have skill | Charlatan |
| One who gives up his religion | Apostate |
| One who attacks cherished beliefs | Iconoclast |
| One who demands strict discipline | Martinet |
| Fear of public speaking | Glossophobia |
| Fear of open or public places | Agoraphobia |
| Fear of closed spaces | Claustrophobia |
| Study of coins | Numismatics |
| Words written on a tomb | Epitaph |
| Speech without preparation | Extempore |
| A mild word for a harsh one | Euphemism |
| Impossible to read | Illegible |
| Lasting a very short time | Ephemeral |
| No longer in use | Obsolete |
| A place where coins are made | Mint |
| Deliberate setting fire to property | Arson |
| An exact copy | Facsimile |
One Word Substitution for SSC CGL: Practice Questions with Answers
Q1. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: Government by a small group of people (a) Plutocracy (b) Oligarchy (c) Autocracy (d) Democracy
Answer: (b) Oligarchy. Plutocracy is rule by the rich; autocracy is rule by one person.
Q2. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: A person who studies birds (a) Entomologist (b) Ornithologist (c) Philologist (d) Anthropologist
Answer: (b) Ornithologist. An entomologist studies insects.
Q3. Select the one-word substitution for the italicised part: The old law had fallen into a state of disuse. (a) Desuetude (b) Hiatus (c) Oblivion (d) Interregnum
Answer: (a) Desuetude.
Q4. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: The killing of one's own father (a) Matricide (b) Fratricide (c) Patricide (d) Regicide
Answer: (c) Patricide. Patri- = father; matri- = mother; frater = brother; rex/regis = king.
Q5. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: Impossible to defeat (a) Invincible (b) Infallible (c) Indelible (d) Inevitable
Answer: (a) Invincible. Infallible = never wrong; indelible = cannot be removed; inevitable = cannot be avoided.
Q6. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: A person who does not drink alcohol (a) Vegan (b) Ascetic (c) Teetotaller (d) Stoic
Answer: (c) Teetotaller.
Q7. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: A place where bees are kept (a) Aviary (b) Apiary (c) Granary (d) Menagerie
Answer: (b) Apiary. An aviary is for birds.
Q8. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: A person who leaves his own country to settle in another (a) Immigrant (b) Emigrant (c) Refugee (d) Nomad
Answer: (b) Emigrant. The same person is an immigrant in the country where he arrives; the phrase focuses on leaving.
Q9. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: A disease that spreads over a whole country or the world (a) Endemic (b) Epidemic (c) Pandemic (d) Contagious
Answer: (c) Pandemic.
Q10. Select the most appropriate one-word substitution: A statement that seems self-contradictory but may be true (a) Axiom (b) Paradox (c) Irony (d) Maxim
Answer: (b) Paradox. This exact idea was asked in SSC CGL 2025 (14 Sep, Shift 2).
One Word Substitution for SSC CGL FAQs
How many one word substitution questions come in SSC CGL?
Usually 1 to 2 per shift in Tier 1, and more in Tier 2 English.
Which one word substitutions were asked in SSC CGL 2025?
The 69 words marked ✅ in the tables above, such as censure (12 Sep, Shift 1), plutocracy (13 Sep, Shift 1), glossophobia (15 Sep, Shift 1) and neologism (14 Oct, Shift 2).
What is the trick to learn one word substitution?
Learn by root (-cide, -cracy, -phobia, -logy, omni-, poly-), group words by theme, and revise previous-year words first.
Is one word substitution asked in SSC CHSL and MTS?
Yes, in the same format. This list works for CHSL, MTS, CPO and Steno as well.
Is there a one word substitution for SSC CGL PDF?
This page is a free printable list: use your browser's Print option and choose "Save as PDF" to keep it for offline revision.
What is a one word substitution list A to Z?
It is the same set of words arranged alphabetically. This note groups them by theme instead, because themes and roots are easier to remember; within each theme the words are in A to Z order.
Related topics: revise sentence improvement rules for SSC CGL, spelling errors for SSC CGL, synonyms and antonyms for SSC CGL 2026 and homophones for SSC CGL next.
Practice Next
- New SSC CGL tests (Tier 1 level): SSC CGL English Mini Mock Test 02 and SSC CGL English Sectional Mock Test 09.
- Take the test: SSC CGL English Comprehension Sectional Mock Test 01, Sectional Mock Test 02 and Sectional Mock Test 03.
- New topic-wise test: SSC CGL One Word Substitution Mock Test 01: Most Asked PYQ-Style Vocabulary (15 Questions).
- For SSC CHSL: SSC CHSL One Word Substitution Mock Test 01.
- Exam dates and eligibility: SSC CGL 2026 and SSC CHSL 2026.
- More English vocabulary: Idioms Asked in SSC CGL and Phrasal Verbs for SSC CGL.
- Bank exams: Word Swap Questions for Bank Exams.
- General Awareness: 12 Schedules of Indian Constitution Trick.
- More study material: all BookOfExams notes.
🚀 Final Exam Tip: When two options look right, check the root of each word against every part of the phrase. The option that matches the whole phrase, not just half of it, is SSC's answer.
Best of luck with your preparation!