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CUET UG Vocabulary

Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate

Master the top 100 vocabulary words for CUET UG English. Synonym and antonym favorites, choosing the correct word staples, and RC passage words with definitions and examples.

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About Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate

CUET UG is conducted by the National Testing Agency for admission to central universities and many state, deemed, and private universities across India. The English Language Test section checks reading comprehension plus verbal ability.

Exam Sections

1

English Language

2

Domain Subjects

3

General Test

Why Vocabulary Matters

Vocabulary drives the English section through synonyms, antonyms, choosing the correct word, and passage based questions. Previous year papers repeat a core set of words, so mastering this list covers the highest yield ground.

Essential Vocabulary Words

Master these 100 high-frequency words to excel in your CUET UG exam

1

abandon

verb
easyhigh

To give up completely

Example: They abandoned the old plan.

2

abridge

verb
mediummedium

To shorten a text without losing sense

Example: The classic was abridged for students.

3

acrid

adjective
mediummedium

Sharp and bitter in smell or tone

Example: Acrid smoke filled the hall.

4

adept

adjective
easyhigh

Highly skilled at something

Example: She is adept at mental maths.

5

adorn

verb
easymedium

To decorate or add beauty to

Example: Murals adorn the library walls.

6

adversity

noun
mediumhigh

Hardship or difficult conditions

Example: He grew stronger through adversity.

7

aloof

adjective
mediummedium

Distant and uninvolved emotionally

Example: The captain stayed aloof.

8

amiable

adjective
easyhigh

Friendly and pleasant in manner

Example: An amiable host greeted us.

9

ample

adjective
easyhigh

More than enough in quantity

Example: We have ample time.

10

anguish

noun
mediummedium

Severe mental suffering

Example: The defeat caused deep anguish.

11

annul

verb
mediumlow

To declare legally invalid

Example: The court annulled the marriage.

12

anonymous

adjective
easyhigh

Written or given by an unknown person

Example: An anonymous donor paid the fees.

13

appall

verb
mediummedium

To shock with horror or dismay

Example: The cruelty appalled the jury.

14

ardent

adjective
mediumhigh

Passionate and enthusiastic

Example: An ardent fan waited outside.

15

ascend

verb
easymedium

To climb or rise upward

Example: The balloon ascended slowly.

16

assent

noun
mediumlow

Official agreement to a proposal

Example: The bill received royal assent.

17

avert

verb
mediummedium

To prevent something bad

Example: Quick action averted a strike.

18

baffle

verb
easyhigh

To confuse completely

Example: The puzzle baffled the class.

19

barren

adjective
mediummedium

Unable to produce growth or results

Example: Talks ended on barren land.

20

bewilder

verb
easyhigh

To confuse or puzzle greatly

Example: The maze bewildered tourists.

21

bland

adjective
easymedium

Mild and lacking strong features

Example: The report was bland.

22

blemish

noun
mediummedium

A small mark spoiling perfection

Example: No blemish marked his record.

23

blithe

adjective
hardlow

Carefree and cheerful

Example: Her blithe reply surprised all.

24

brittle

adjective
mediummedium

Hard but easily broken

Example: Brittle twigs snapped loudly.

25

calamity

noun
mediumhigh

A sudden disaster event

Example: Floods brought calamity.

26

camouflage

verb
easymedium

To hide by blending in

Example: Soldiers camouflaged the tents.

27

cherish

verb
easyhigh

To hold something dear

Example: They cherish old letters.

28

chronic

adjective
mediumhigh

Persisting for a long time

Example: Chronic delays hurt trade.

29

collapse

verb
easyhigh

To fall down suddenly

Example: The roof collapsed in rain.

30

commend

verb
mediummedium

To praise formally

Example: The judge commended the witness.

31

complacent

adjective
hardmedium

Smug about unexamined success

Example: Complacent teams lose finals.

32

compel

verb
mediummedium

To force someone to act

Example: Evidence compelled a retrial.

33

conceal

verb
easyhigh

To hide something deliberately

Example: Fog concealed the hills.

34

concur

verb
mediummedium

To agree in opinion

Example: Experts concur on the need.

35

confound

verb
hardlow

To confuse and surprise

Example: Results confounded the critics.

36

confront

verb
easyhigh

To face a problem boldly

Example: The mayor confronted the crisis.

37

console

verb
easymedium

To comfort in grief

Example: Friends consoled the family.

38

conspicuous

adjective
hardmedium

Clearly visible and noticeable

Example: Her absence was conspicuous.

39

contempt

noun
mediummedium

Deep scorn for something

Example: He felt contempt for cheats.

40

cordial

adjective
mediumhigh

Warm and friendly in manner

Example: Talks stayed cordial throughout.

41

coerce

verb
hardlow

To force by threats

Example: The gang coerced witnesses.

42

crestfallen

adjective
hardlow

Sad after dashed hopes

Example: The team looked crestfallen.

43

cunning

adjective
easyhigh

Clever in a deceitful way

Example: The cunning fox escaped.

44

cursory

adjective
hardlow

Hasty and not thorough

Example: A cursory glance missed errors.

45

daunt

verb
mediummedium

To intimidate or discourage

Example: Heights never daunted her.

46

dazzle

verb
easymedium

To impress with brilliance

Example: The display dazzled the crowd.

47

decorum

noun
hardlow

Proper and polite behavior

Example: Decorum ruled the ceremony.

48

defiance

noun
mediummedium

Open refusal to obey

Example: The strike ended in defiance.

49

deft

adjective
mediumlow

Skillful and quick in movement

Example: A deft pass split defence.

50

deliberate

adjective
mediumhigh

Careful and intentional in action

Example: A deliberate pause followed.

51

demolish

verb
easyhigh

To destroy completely

Example: Crews demolished the bridge.

52

demure

adjective
hardlow

Shy and modest in manner

Example: A demure smile greeted us.

53

denounce

verb
mediummedium

To condemn publicly

Example: Leaders denounced the attack.

54

depict

verb
mediumhigh

To show in words or pictures

Example: The novel depicts village life.

55

deplete

verb
mediummedium

To use up resources

Example: Overuse depleted the aquifer.

56

deplore

verb
mediumlow

To express strong disapproval

Example: Citizens deplored the potholes.

57

deride

verb
hardlow

To mock with contempt

Example: Critics derided the sequel.

58

desolate

adjective
mediummedium

Empty and bleak in feeling

Example: A desolate platform waited.

59

despondent

adjective
hardlow

Low in spirits, hopeless

Example: Farmers grew despondent.

60

destitute

adjective
hardmedium

Without means of support

Example: Floods left many destitute.

61

deter

verb
mediumhigh

To discourage through fear

Example: Fines deter rash driving.

62

devastate

verb
easyhigh

To destroy or overwhelm

Example: Quakes devastated the port.

63

devout

adjective
mediummedium

Deeply religious or devoted

Example: A devout crowd gathered.

64

dilapidated

adjective
hardlow

Shabby from age or neglect

Example: A dilapidated fort stood there.

65

discreet

adjective
hardmedium

Careful to avoid attention

Example: A discreet enquiry followed.

66

discrete

adjective
hardmedium

Separate and distinct in parts

Example: The test has discrete sections.

67

disdain

noun
mediummedium

Contempt for the unworthy

Example: She spoke with disdain.

68

dismal

adjective
mediummedium

Gloomy and depressing

Example: Dismal sales worried owners.

69

dismay

noun
mediummedium

Sudden disappointment felt

Example: The loss caused wide dismay.

70

disperse

verb
mediummedium

To scatter in all directions

Example: Police dispersed the mob.

71
benevolentadjective
mediumhigh

Kind and generous toward others

Example: A benevolent donor funded the lab.

72
candidadjective
mediumhigh

Frank and honest in speech

Example: Her candid review helped us.

73
diligentadjective
easyhigh

Hard working and careful

Example: Diligent revision raised scores.

74
lucidadjective
mediummedium

Clear and easy to grasp

Example: A lucid summary opened the chapter.

75
mundaneadjective
mediummedium

Ordinary and dull

Example: Mundane chores filled Sunday.

76
profoundadjective
mediumhigh

Very deep in meaning

Example: The story left a profound mark.

77
inevitableadjective
easyhigh

Certain to happen

Example: Delays were inevitable.

78
zealousadjective
mediummedium

Passionate for a cause

Example: Zealous volunteers cleaned rivers.

79
verboseadjective
mediumlow

Using more words than needed

Example: A verbose reply wasted time.

80
audaciousadjective
mediummedium

Bold and daring

Example: An audacious trek crossed the pass.

81
resilientadjective
mediumhigh

Quick to recover from harm

Example: Resilient crops survived drought.

82
tenaciousadjective
mediummedium

Holding firm to a goal

Example: Tenacious prep cleared the cut.

83
meticulousadjective
mediummedium

Very careful about detail

Example: Meticulous notes saved marks.

84
prudentadjective
mediummedium

Careful about future risks

Example: Prudent saving helped the family.

85
parsimoniousadjective
hardlow

Unwilling to spend money

Example: A parsimonious uncle counted coins.

86
taciturnadjective
hardlow

Quiet and saying little

Example: A taciturn guard nodded.

87
gregariousadjective
hardlow

Fond of company, sociable

Example: A gregarious senior mentored all.

88
reticentadjective
hardlow

Reserved and silent

Example: A reticent topper avoided press.

89
apathynoun
mediummedium

Lack of interest or care

Example: Voter apathy worried officials.

90
easyhigh

Feeling another person's pain

Example: Nurses showed deep empathy.

91
ambiguousadjective
mediumhigh

Having double meaning

Example: Ambiguous rules confused teams.

92
arbitraryadjective
mediummedium

Based on chance, not reason

Example: Arbitrary cuts angered staff.

93
banaladjective
hardlow

Dull and unoriginal

Example: A banal speech bored all.

94
austereadjective
hardlow

Severe and simple in style

Example: An austere hostel room waited.

95
placidadjective
mediummedium

Calm and peaceful

Example: A placid lake spread wide.

96
moroseadjective
hardlow

Gloomy and sullen

Example: A morose clerk stamped forms.

97
effusiveadjective
hardlow

Overflowing with praise

Example: Effusive reviews boosted sales.

98
solicitousadjective
hardlow

Caring about others needs

Example: Solicitous nurses calmed wards.

99
hardlow

Cheerful readiness to act

Example: Teams responded with alacrity.

100
hardmedium

Something breaking the pattern

Example: One anomaly skewed the data.

Expert Preparation Tips

Proven strategies to master vocabulary for CUET UG

Learn every word with its synonym and antonym together, since CUET tests both directions
Master confusing pairs such as discreet and discrete until the difference is automatic
Solve previous year synonym items to spot repeat words before the exam
Read the RC passage first for tone and theme, then attack vocab questions
Group words by mood, such as gloomy or cheerful, to recall them faster in match the following items

Stop forgetting CUET UG words

Reading a list once will not get you the score you want. WordFlippin turns these words into daily practice with spaced repetition, so they stick when the exam clock is ticking.

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CUET UG Vocabulary: Top 100 Words for Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate | WordFlippin