1. PRAGMATIC
[MBA ’05-06; Rupali Bank SO ’13; BCS 29th]
Meaning: Pragmatic means practical and focused on results, not just on ideas or theories.
বাংলা: ব্যবহারিক, ফলমুখী, বাস্তবমুখী চিন্তাভাবনাসম্পন্ন।
Synonyms: practical, realistic, down-to-earth, sensible, rational
Antonyms: idealistic, theoretical, impractical, unrealistic
Example Sentences:
As a pragmatic leader, the manager chose the solution that saved both time and money.
A pragmatic student does not only make big plans; he also makes a realistic study routine and follows it.
In Bangladeshi politics, we need pragmatic decisions that actually improve people’s daily lives.
2. INSTIGATE
[BCS 11th; BBA ’99-00, ’08-09]
Meaning: Instigate means to start or cause something, especially trouble, conflict, or some strong action.
বাংলা: উস্কে দেওয়া, প্ররোচিত করা, ঘটিয়ে তোলা।
Synonyms: provoke, incite, stir up, trigger, spark
Antonyms: calm, soothe, discourage, prevent, pacify
Example Sentences:
The rude comment instigated a heated argument between the two students.
Sometimes, fake news on social media can instigate violence in a community.
The teacher warned the class not to instigate others to break the rules during the exam.
3. COURTEOUS
[BCS 32th; BBA ’00-01; DU D ’18-19]
Meaning: Courteous means being polite and respectful in behavior and speech.
বাংলা: ভদ্র, ভদ্রোচিত, শিষ্টাচারসম্পন্ন।
Synonyms: polite, respectful, well-mannered, civil, gracious
Antonyms: rude, impolite, discourteous, ill-mannered
Example Sentences:
The officer was very courteous and answered all the applicant’s questions patiently.
Being courteous to teachers and staff creates a positive environment in any university.
A courteous reply in a job interview can leave a strong impression on the panel.
4. OBSCURE
[BCS 15th; BBA ’19-20]
Meaning: Obscure can mean not well known or not easily understood; also something that is difficult to see or unclear.
বাংলা: অস্পষ্ট, দুর্বোধ্য, অখ্যাত, অজ্ঞাত।
Synonyms: unclear, vague, ambiguous, hidden, unknown
Antonyms: clear, obvious, plain, well-known, evident
Example Sentences:
The meaning of the poem is obscure to many students because of the difficult language.
At first, the reasons for the economic crisis were obscure to ordinary people.
Some laws are written in such an obscure way that common citizens find them confusing.
5. FRUGAL
[BBA ’11-12; ’19-20; BCS 38th; CU A, B1 ’19-20]
Meaning: Frugal means using money and resources very carefully, without wasting them.
বাংলা: মিতব্যয়ী, সাশ্রয়ী, অল্প খরচে চলতে অভ্যস্ত।
Synonyms: economical, thrifty, sparing, saving
Antonyms: wasteful, extravagant, lavish, spendthrift
Example Sentences:
A frugal student saves money by cooking at home instead of eating out every day.
His family lived a frugal life so that they could pay for their children’s education.
Being frugal with electricity and water is important in a densely populated country like Bangladesh.
6. DISCRETE
[BCS 10th; BBA ’15-16, ’19-20]
Meaning: Discrete means separate and distinct, not joined together.
(Note: This is different from "discreet" which means careful or tactful.)
বাংলা: বিচ্ছিন্ন, পৃথক, স্বতন্ত্র।
Synonyms: separate, distinct, individual, detached
Antonyms: continuous, connected, combined, joined
Example Sentences:
In statistics, we often deal with discrete data like the number of students in a class.
The course is divided into discrete modules, each focusing on a specific topic.
The company runs several discrete projects under one big development program.
7. EQUIVOCAL
[BCS 18th, 32th; BBA ’15-16, ’17-18]
Meaning: Equivocal means unclear, having more than one possible meaning, often used in a way that avoids a direct answer.
বাংলা: দ্ব্যর্থক, অস্পষ্ট, বিভ্রান্তিকর, সন্দেহজনক।
Synonyms: ambiguous, unclear, vague, uncertain, doubtful
Antonyms: clear, definite, unambiguous, straightforward
Example Sentences:
The minister gave an equivocal answer, so nobody understood his real position on the issue.
Equivocal statements in the contract may cause legal problems later.
The student’s equivocal explanation made the teacher doubt his honesty.
8. INDIFFERENT
[BCS 16th, 17th, 24th, 29th; MBA ’10-11, ’15 June, ’16 Dec; BBA ’17-18; IBA JU ’19-20; DU A ’19-20]
Meaning: Indifferent means not interested, not caring, or having no particular opinion about something.
বাংলা: উদাসীন, অনাগ্রহী, নির্লিপ্ত।
Synonyms: unconcerned, apathetic, detached, uninterested
Antonyms: concerned, interested, enthusiastic, attentive
Example Sentences:
Many young people seem indifferent to voting, even though it affects their future.
The teacher was disappointed to see some students indifferent to their studies.
We cannot be indifferent to corruption if we want a better Bangladesh.
9. TRANSIENT
[BBA ’17-18; BCS 36th]
Meaning: Transient means lasting only for a short time, not permanent.
বাংলা: ক্ষণস্থায়ী, অস্থায়ী, সাময়িক।
Synonyms: temporary, short-lived, fleeting, momentary
Antonyms: permanent, lasting, enduring, long-lasting
Example Sentences:
The city’s transient workers move frequently from one project to another.
Exam stress is transient, but the result can have a long-term impact on a student’s life.
The economist warned that the current price drop might be transient, not permanent.
10. FEEBLE
[BBA; BCS 31th]
Meaning: Feeble means very weak, either physically, mentally, or in quality.
বাংলা: দুর্বল, ক্ষীণ, শক্তিহীন।
Synonyms: weak, fragile, frail, faint, inadequate
Antonyms: strong, powerful, robust, forceful
Example Sentences:
After the long illness, the patient felt too feeble to walk by himself.
The student’s argument was feeble and failed to convince the examiner.
A feeble response from the authorities can make the disaster situation worse.
11. AMICABLE
[BCS 31th; Rupali Bank SO ’13; IBA JU ’14-15]
Meaning: Amicable means friendly and peaceful, especially when talking about relationships or agreements.
বাংলা: সৌহার্দ্যপূর্ণ, বন্ধুত্বপূর্ণ, শান্তিপূর্ণ।
Synonyms: friendly, cordial, harmonious, peaceable
Antonyms: hostile, unfriendly, antagonistic, bitter
Example Sentences:
The two business partners reached an amicable agreement after a long discussion.
An amicable divorce means both sides try to stay respectful and calm.
Amicable relations between neighboring countries help maintain regional peace.
12. APATHY
[BBA ’06-07, ’17-18; MBA ’08-09, ’13 June, ’15 June, ’16 July; BCS 35th, 36th; IBA JU ’18-19]
Meaning: Apathy means a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about things.
বাংলা: উদাসীনতা, অনাগ্রহ, অনুভূতিহীনতা।
Synonyms: indifference, lack of interest, unconcern, lethargy
Antonyms: enthusiasm, interest, concern, passion
Example Sentences:
Voter apathy can be dangerous for a democracy because fewer people participate in decision making.
The teacher tried to motivate students who showed apathy toward their assignments.
Social apathy toward road safety results in many preventable accidents in Bangladesh.
13. INDOLENT
[BBA ’12-13, ’17-18; MBA ’15 June; BCS 35th, 36th]
Meaning: Indolent means lazy, not wanting to work or make any effort.
বাংলা: অলস, কর্মবিমুখ, কাজকর্মে অনীহাসম্পন্ন।
Synonyms: lazy, idle, sluggish, inactive
Antonyms: hardworking, industrious, active, energetic
Example Sentences:
An indolent student delays studying until the night before the exam.
Indolent behavior at the office can harm both personal career and company performance.
To succeed in BCS or bank jobs, you cannot afford to be indolent in your preparation.
14. CENSURE
[MBA ’07-08; BCS 32th; BBA ’16-17]
Meaning: Censure means strong disapproval, often in a formal or official way; it can be both a noun and a verb.
বাংলা: কঠোর সমালোচনা, তিরস্কার, ভর্ৎসনা, নিন্দা করা।
Synonyms: criticism, condemnation, blame, reproach
Antonyms: praise, approval, commendation, endorsement
Example Sentences:
The committee issued a formal censure against the officer for his unethical behavior.
The teacher censured the students for cheating in the exam.
Public censure in the media can force officials to take corrective steps.
15. AGGRAVATE
[BCS 12th; MBA ’08-09; BBA]
Meaning: Aggravate means to make something worse or more serious; it can also mean to irritate or annoy someone.
বাংলা: আরও খারাপ করা, উত্তেজিত করা, বিরক্ত করা।
Synonyms: worsen, intensify, exacerbate, heighten, irritate
Antonyms: relieve, improve, ease, alleviate, lessen
Example Sentences:
Scratching the wound will only aggravate the infection.
Traffic jams in Dhaka are aggravated by illegal parking and poor road planning.
His rude comments aggravated the tension between the two groups.
16. PRUDENT
[BCS 10th; BBA ’05-06, ’15-16; MBA ’11 June; ’12 June; IBA JU ’18-19]
Meaning: Prudent means careful and wise, especially in making decisions or using money and resources.
বাংলা: বিচক্ষণ, দূরদর্শী, সতর্ক, সুবিবেচক।
Synonyms: wise, sensible, judicious, cautious, careful
Antonyms: imprudent, foolish, reckless, careless
Example Sentences:
It is prudent to start saving early for higher education or emergencies.
A prudent leader thinks about the long-term effects of every policy.
Many Bangladeshi families are prudent with their spending because incomes are limited.
17. DENOUNCE
[BBA ’08-09, ’15-16; BCS 31th; MBA ’16 July]
Meaning: Denounce means to publicly criticize or condemn something or someone, often for being wrong or evil.
বাংলা: প্রকাশ্যে নিন্দা করা, ভর্ৎসনা করা, তীব্র সমালোচনা করা।
Synonyms: condemn, criticize, censure, attack, blame
Antonyms: praise, commend, approve, endorse
Example Sentences:
Human rights groups denounced the attack on peaceful protesters.
The principal denounced cheating and warned that strict action would be taken.
Many citizens denounce corruption but still face it in daily life.
18. LAUD
[BCS 31th; BBA ’15-16]
Meaning: Laud means to praise someone or something, especially in a formal or public way.
বাংলা: প্রশংসা করা, স্তুতি করা, গুণকীর্তন করা।
Synonyms: praise, acclaim, applaud, commend, extol
Antonyms: criticize, condemn, denounce, censure
Example Sentences:
The teacher lauded the student for achieving the highest marks in the department.
International organizations lauded the country’s success in reducing poverty.
The principal lauded the volunteers who worked during the flood relief in rural areas.
19. INSOLENT
[BCS 18th; MBA ’12 June; BBA ’15-16]
Meaning: Insolent means very rude and disrespectful, especially towards someone in authority.
বাংলা: উদ্ধত, ঔদ্ধত্যপূর্ণ, ধৃষ্ট, বেয়াদব।
Synonyms: rude, disrespectful, impudent, arrogant, cheeky
Antonyms: respectful, polite, courteous, humble
Example Sentences:
The student’s insolent reply shocked the teacher and the whole class.
An employee who is insolent to customers can damage the company’s reputation.
Insolent behavior during a viva exam can negatively affect the examiner’s judgment.
20. DELUSIVE
[BCS 12th; BBA ‘9-10; ’14-15, ‘19-20]
Meaning: Delusive means giving a false idea or impression; misleading or deceptive.
বাংলা: বিভ্রান্তিকর, ভ্রান্তিমূলক, প্রতারণামূলক।
Synonyms: misleading, deceptive, illusory, false
Antonyms: genuine, real, truthful, reliable, accurate
Example Sentences:
The promise of an easy shortcut to success is often delusive and dangerous.
Delusive advertisements may make a product look perfect, hiding its real problems.
Relying on delusive hopes instead of hard work can ruin a student’s exam preparation.