ONE WORD SUBSTITUTION

One word substitution is very important topic in the vocabulary section of the English section asked in  competitive exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, UPSC, Railways. One-word substitution refers to those types of questions where a sentence or a phrase is simply replaced by a word that describes the whole sentence. One-word substitution  is a vocabulary-based question type where a phrase or sentence is replaced with a single word that conveys the same meaning.

One Word Substitution for “Individual Character/ Person/ People”

PHRASE ONE WORD
One who is not sure about God’s existence Agnostic
A person who deliberately sets fire to a building Arsonist
One who does a thing for pleasure and not as a profession Amateur
One who can use either hand with ease Ambidextrous
One who makes an official examination of accounts Auditor
A person who believes in or tries to bring about a state of lawlessness Anarchist
A person who has changed his faith Apostate
One who does not believe in the existence of God Atheist
A person appointed by two parties to solve a dispute Arbitrator
One who leads an austere life Ascetic
One who does a thing for pleasure and not as a profession Amateur
One who can either hand with ease Ambidextrous
An unconventional style of living Bohemian
One who is bad in spellings Cacographer
One who feeds on human flesh Cannibal
A person who is blindly devoted to an idea/ A person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism Chauvinist
A critical judge of any art and craft Connoisseur
Persons living at the same time Contemporaries
One who is recovering health after illness Convalescent
A girl/woman who flirts with man Coquette
A person who regards the whole world as his country Cosmopolitan
One who is a centre of attraction Cynosure
One who sneers at the beliefs of others Cynic
A leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people Demagogue
A person having a sophisticated charm Debonair
A leader who sways his followers by his oratory Demagogue
A dabbler (not serious) in art, science and literature Dilettante
One who is for pleasure of eating and drinking Epicure
One who often talks of his achievements Egotist
Someone who leaves one country to settle in another Emigrant
A man who is womanish in his habits Effeminate
One hard to please (very selective in his habits) Fastidious
One who runs away from justice Fugitive
One who is filled with excessive enthusiasm in religious matters Fanatic
One who believes in fate Fatalist
A lover of good food Gourmand
Conferred as an honour Honorary
A person who acts against religion Heretic
A person of intellectual or erudite tastes Highbrow
A patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments Hypochondriac
A person who is controlled by wife Henpeck
One who shows sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality Indefatigable
Someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions Iconoclast
One who does not express himself freely Introvert
Who behaves without moral principles Immoral
A person who is incapable of being tampered with Impregnable
One who is unable to pay his debts Insolvent
A person who is mentally ill Lunatic
A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society Misanthrope
A person who primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics Mercenary
Someone in love with himself Narcissist
One who collect coins as hobby Numismatist
A person who likes or admires women Philogynist
A lover of mankind Philanthropist
A person who speaks more than one language Polyglot
One who lives in solitude Recluse
Someone who walks in sleep Somnambulist
A person who is indifferent to the pains and pleasures of life Stoic
A scolding nagging bad-tempered woman Termagant
A person who shows a great or excessive fondness for one’s wife Uxorious
One who possesses outstanding technical ability in a particular art or field Virtuoso

One Word Substitution List for “Collection/ Group”

PHRASE ONE WORD
A group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place Battery
A large bundle bound for storage or transport Bale
A large gathering of people of a particular type Bevy
An arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present Bouquet
A family of young animals Brood
A group of things that have been hidden in a secret place Cache
A group of people, typically with vehicles or animals travelling together Caravan
A closed political meeting Caucus
An exclusive circle of people with a common purpose Clique
A group of followers hired to applaud at a performance Claque
A series of stars Constellation
A funeral procession Cortege
A group of worshippers Congregation
A herd or flock of animals being driven in a body Drove
A small fleet of ships or boats Flotilla
A small growth of trees without underbrush Grove
A community of people smaller than a village Hamlet
A group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals Herd
A large group of people Horde
A temporary police force Posse
A large number of fish swimming together Shoal
A strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid Torrent

One Word Substitutes List for Profession

PHRASE ONE WORD
The medieval forerunner of chemistry Alchemy
A person who presents a radio/television programme Anchor
One who studies the evolution of mankind Anthropologist
A person who is trained to travel in a spacecraft Astronaut
The scientific study of the physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance of plants Botany
A person who draws or produces maps Cartographer
A person who writes beautiful writing Calligrapher
A person who composes the sequence of steps and moves for a performance of dance Choreographer
A person employed to drive a private or hired car Chauffeur
A person who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show Compere
A keeper or custodian of a museum or other collection Curator
The branch of biology concerned with cyclical physiological phenomena Chronobiology
A secret or disguised way of writing Cypher
The study of statistics Demography
The use of the fingers and hands to communicate and convey ideas Dactylology
A person who sells and arranges cut flowers Florist
A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor Genealogy
The therapeutic use of sunlight Heliotherapy
The art or practice of garden cultivation and management Horticulture
One who supervises in the examination hall Invigilator
The theory or philosophy of law Jurisprudence
A person who compiles dictionaries Lexicographer
The scientific study of the structure and diseases of teeth Odontology
One who presents a radio programme Radio Jockey
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing Rhetoric
The branch of science concerned with the origin, structure, and composition of rocks Petrology
One who study the elections and trends in voting Psephologist
An artist who makes sculptures. Sculptor
The scientific study of the behaviour, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals Zoology

Important One Word Substitution for “Spot/ Venue”

PHRASE ONE WORD
A collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, institution, or group of people Archives
A large cage, building, or enclosure for keeping birds in Aviary
A building where animals are butchered Abattoir
A place where bees are kept; a collection of beehives Apiary
A building containing tanks of live fish of different species Aquarium
A place or scene of activity, debate, or conflict Arena
A collection of weapons and military equipment Arsenal
An institution for the care of people who are mentally ill Asylum
A hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, as a dwelling Burrow
A collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place Cache
A public room or building where gambling games are played Casino
A large burial ground, especially one not in a churchyard Cemetery
A room in a public building where outdoor clothes or luggage may be left Cloakroom
A place where a dead person’s body is cremated Crematorium
a Christian community of nuns living together under monastic vows Convent
Nursery where babies and young children are cared for during the working day Creche
A stoppered glass container into which wine or spirit is decanted Decanter
A large bedroom for a number of people in a school or institution Dormitory
The nest of a squirrel, typically in the form of a mass of twigs in a tree Drey
A room or building equipped for gymnastics, games, and other physical exercise Gymnasium
A storehouse for threshed grain Granary
A large building with an extensive floor area, typically for housing aircraft. Hangar
A box or cage, typically with a wire mesh front, for keeping rabbits or other small domesticated animals Hutch
A place in a large institution for the care of those who are ill Infirmary
A small shelter for a dog Kennel
A place where wild animal live Lair
A place where coins, medals, or tokens are made Mint
A collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition Menagerie
A building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows Monastery
A place where bodies are kept for identification Morgue
A piece of enclosed land planted with fruit trees Orchard
A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply Reservoir
A small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and another dirty household work Scullery
A close-fitting cover for the blade of a knife or sword Sheath
A room or building for sick children in a boarding school Sanatorium
A place where animal hides are tanned Tannery
A large, tall cupboard in which clothes may be hung or stored Wardrobe

One Word Substitution PDF for “Government/ Systems”

PHRASE ONE WORD
A state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other controlling systems Anarchy
A form of government in which power is held by the nobility Aristocracy
A system of government by one person with absolute power Autocracy
A self-governing country or region Autonomy
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state officials rather than by elected representatives Bureaucracy
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives Democracy
A state, society, or group governed by old people Gerontocracy
A state or country run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens Kakistocracy
Government by new or inexperienced hands Neocracy
Government by the populace Ochlocracy
A small group of people having control of a country or organization Oligarchy
Government by the wealthy Plutocracy
Government not connected with religious or spiritual matters Secular
A form of government with a monarch at the head Monarchy
A political system based on government of men by God Thearchy

New One Word Substitution for Phobia

PHRASE ONE WORD
An extreme or irrational fear of heights Acrophobia
An irrational fear of fresh air or drafts of air Aerophobia
Fear of being egotistical, being alone or isolated Autophobia
A phobia of pain Algophobia
An abnormal fear of heights Altophobia
An emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat Anorexia
An extreme or irrational fear of open or public places Agoraphobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of depths Bathophobia
Fear or hatred of books Bibliophobia
Fear of ugliness and things that are ugly Cacophobia
A dislike of being in the centre Centrophobia
An extreme fear about beauty Cellophobia
Fear of time Chronophobia
Fear of dogs Cynophobia
An extreme or irrational fear of confined places Claustrophobia
A delusion of being possessed by evil spirits Demonomania
An abnormal and persistent fear of drinking alcohol Dipsophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of work or finding employment Ergophobia
Fear of getting married, being in a relationship, or commitment Gamophobia
Physical or psychological fear of sexual relations or sexual intercourse Genophobia
Fear of old age Geraphobia
Fear of knowledge Gnosiophobia
Fear of women Gynaephobia
Fear of writing or handwriting Graphophobia
An irrational and intense fear of travel Hodophobia
An excessive fear or aversion to obtaining pleasure Hedonophobia
Fear of disease Haemetophobia
An obsessive fear of words Logophobia
An extreme fear of wind or drafts Menemophobia
An extreme or irrational fear of the night or of darkness Nyctophobia
Fear of medication Pharamacophobia
Fear of death Thanatophobia
Extreme superstition regarding the number thirteen Triskaidekaphobia

All One Word Substitution for Death

PHRASE ONE WORD
A solemn procession, especially for a funeral Cortege
A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead Elegy
A phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died Epitaph
Killing of one’s son or daughter Filicide
Destruction or abortion of a fetus Foeticide
Killing of one’s brother or sister Fratricide
Killing of a large group of people Genocide
Killing of one person by another Homicide
Killing of infants Infanticide
Burial of a corpse in a grave or tomb Interment
Killing of one’s mother Matricide
A room or building in which dead bodies are kept Mortuary
A news article that reports the recent death of a person Obituary
Killing of a parent or other near relative Parricide
Killing of one’s father Patricide
An examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death Postmortem
Action of killing a king Regicide
Killing of one’s sister Sororicide
Act of intentionally causing one’s own death Suicide
Killing of one’s wife Uxoricide

List of One Word Substitution for “Sound”

PHRASE ONE WORD
The branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound Acoustics
The sound of Alligators Bellow
The sound of Deers Bell
The sound of Crows Caw
The sound of Geese Cackle
The sound of Hens Cluck
The sound of Dolphins Click
The sound of Frogs Croak
The sound of Crickets Creak
The sound of Monkeys Gibber
The sound of Camels Grunt
The sound of Owls Hoot
The sound of Penguins Honk
The sound of Cattle Moo
The sound of Horses Neigh
The sound of Nightingales Pipe
The sound of Ducks Quack
The sound of Parrots Screech
The sound of Rats Squeak
The sound of Birds Twitter
The sound of Elephants Trumpet
The sound of Mosquitoes Whine

List of One Word Substitution  “Generic Terms”

PHRASE ONE WORD
An act of abdicating or renouncing the throne Abdication
An annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information such as astronomical data and tide tables Almanac
A cold-blooded vertebrate animal that is born in water and breathes with gills Amphibian
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one Allegory
A statement or proposition on which an abstractly defined structure is based Axiom
A nation or person engaged in war or conflict, as recognized by international law Belligerent
An examination of tissue removed from a living body to discover the presence, cause, or extent of a disease Biopsy
The action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk Blasphemy
The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence Chronology
A vigorous campaign for political, social, or religious change Crusade
Lasting for a very short time Ephemeral
Spoken or done without preparation Extempore
Release someone from a duty or obligation Exonerate
Fond of company Gregarious
Making marks that cannot be removed Indelible
Incapable of making mistakes or being wrong Infallible
Certain to happen Inevitable
A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past Nostalgia
A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases Panacea
A doctrine which identifies God with the universe Pantheism
Excessively concerned with minor details or rules Pedantic
The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own Plagiarism
Safe to drink Potable
The emblems or insignia of royalty Regalia
Violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred Sacrilege
A position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit Sinecure
A thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event Souvenir
An imaginary ideal society free of poverty and suffering Utopia
Denoting a sin that is not regarded as depriving the soul of divine grace Venial
In exactly the same words as were used originally Verbatim

One Word Substitution Related to Study:

One Word Substitution related to Study
Aviation Study of flying aero planes
Astronomy Study of celestial bodies
Alchemy The ancient search for a universal panacea, and of the philosopher’s stone. 
The medieval version of the study of Chemistry
Acoustics Study of sound and sound waves
Anthropology The study of the evolution of mankind
Astronomy Study of Stars
Botany The study of plants
Biology Study of Living Things
Calligraphy Art related to ornate, good handwriting
Chronology The science of time order
Demography The study of statistics
Entomology Study of science of insects
Ecology Study of the relation between the organism and their environment
Genetics Study of hereditary, genes and variation in living organisms
Geology The study of rocks and soil
Geography Mapping of earth and its formation
Graphology Study of handwriting
Gerontology Study of various aspects of ageing
Hydraulics Study of the law of the flow of water and other liquids
Lexicography The practice of writing dictionaries
Numismatics Study of collection of coins, tokens, paper money etc.
Ornithology Study of birds
Philology The study of languages
Palaeography The study of ancient writing and scriptures
Psychology The study of Human Mind
Psephology Study of election trends
Theology Study of religion

One Word Substitution related to Types of Fear:

One Word Substitution related to Types of Fear
Ecophobia Fear of home surroundings
Zoophobia Fear of animals
Claustrophobia Fear of closed space
Hydrophobia Fear of Water
Bibliophobia Fear of books
Xenophobia Fear or dislike of foreigners
Necrophobia Fear of dead body
Aerophobia Fear of height
Ophiophobia Fear of snakes
Syngenesophobia Fear of relatives
Nomophobia Fear of being without your mobile phone

One Word Substitution related to Killing:

One Word Substitution related to Killing 
Mariticide The killing of one’s husband
Parricide The killing of parents
Genocide The killing of a whole race
Infanticide The killing of a newborn child
Regicide The killing of a king
Homicide The killing of a human being
Suicide The killing of oneself
Patricide The killing of a father
Matricide The killing of a mother
Fratricide The killing of one’s brother
Sororicide The killing of one’s sister
Uxoricide The killing of one’s wife
Dipsomania Morbid compulsion to keep on consuming alcohol
Kleptomania Morbid compulsion to steal
Bibliokleptomania Morbid compulsion to steal books
Pyromania Morbid compulsion to start a fire
Megalomania Morbid delusion of power, importance or godliness
Nymphomania Morbid, uncontrollable desire on the part of a woman
Satyromania Morbid, uncontrollable desire on the part of a man
Monomania A person with a one-track mind
Mythomania The compulsion to tell lies
Mania Madness with an obsession with something

One Word Substitution related to Things, Events & Places:

One Word Substitution related to Things, Events & Places
Solarium A place for the sun to enter where one can sunbath
Aquarium A glass container in which fish and other water animals can be kept
Podium A place for feet or a speaker’s platform
Auditorium The part of a theatre where people who are watching and listening sit
Planetarium An optical device for projecting various celestial images and effects    
Sanatorium An establishment for the treatment of the chronically ill
Museum A place where objects are exhibited
Deciduous Trees whose leaves fall every autumn
Incident That which falls upon befalls happens
Accident That which falls to someone or something
Occidental That which falls on the western countries
Alma Mater The school or college one attends
Automobile A self-moving vehicle
Automatic A machine that functions by itself
Perambulator A baby carriage
Ambulance A carriage for sick people

One Word Substitution Related to Terms:

One Word Substitution related to Terms
Aeon Indefinite period of time
Aesthetics Appreciation of beauty, by a set of principles.
Blizzard Spartan snowstorms with uncontrollable winds 
Bohemian An eccentric manner of living
Bonfire Huge fire for celebration
Bonsai Dwarfed varieties of trees and shrubs in pots
Bonfire Huge fire for celebration 
Bonsai Dwarfed varieties of trees and shrubs in pots 
Hinterland The remote regions of a country which are far away from the rivers
Imbroglio Complex situation or a mix-up
Rejuvenate Make someone feel young
Remiss Not showing enough care and attention
Kennel A shelter for a Dog
Lair Where wild animals live: 
Mint A place where coins are made
Mundane Ordinary and Dull
Posthumous Published after someone’s death
Pedagogy The profession of teaching or the approach or style of teaching
Regalia The symbols of royalty 
Thearchy A political system solely based on the government of men by God
Oath A person promises to tell the truth in court
Nascent Beginning to exist and evolve
Virtue Ethically good behaviour one has
Satire Humour that describes the weaknesses
Veer Changing the direction of one’s path suddenly
Savour Enjoy something for an extended time
Scapegoat Someone who is wrongly blamed for things that others have done
Tannery Space where animal hides are tanned
Tenacious Determined to achieve something
Screech The sound of Parrots: 
Misnomer Using a word or name that is inappropriate
Monarchy A government that has a monarch as the head  
Grunt The sound of Camels
Fiesta Events manifested by festivities
Whine The ranting of a person
Destitute People who are extremely poor
Carte blanche Absolute freedom to act as one wishes: 
Agnostic A person who is unsure about God’s existence: 
Agony Extreme physical or mental sufferings
Aikido Japanese form of self-defence with the usage of locks holds
Mercenary A soldier who fights for the sake of money
Laurel An accolade or honour bestowed in recognition for an achievement: 
Immoral A person who behaves without moral principles
Impeach Charging a politician with a serious crime
Embargo Government instructions that limit trade in some way 
Fatalist Believer of fate
Gregarious Loves being social and enjoys the company of others 
Grove Trees grow without underbrush.
Sinecure An office with a high salary but no work 
Renegade A person who betrays and descents an organisation or country
Fastidious One who is much concerned about details and accuracy
Arsenal A place for storage of arms and ammunition
Excommunicate One who is expelled from a religious community
Glutton A person who eats too much
Immitable Something which can be copied

One Word Substitution Related to People/Person:

One Word Substitution Related to People/Person
Eisoptrophile A person who is addicted to seeing oneself in mirror
Gastronome A person who loves food and finds pleasure in eating and drinking
Chrematophile A person who loves money
Oneirophile A person who loves dream
Anuptaphile A person who loves staying single
Melophile A person who loves music

One Word Substitution Related to Government:

One Word Substitution Related to Government
Bureaucracy Government by Officials
Autocracy Government by one person with absolute power
Meritocracy Government by the intelligentsia
Democracy Government by elected representatives
Confederacy The union of states, parties or persons
Plutocracy Government by rich people
Aristocracy Government by the nobles
Theocracy Government by Divine Laws
Monarchy Government by one person (royal)
Diarchy Government by two agencies
Oligarchy Government by a few powerful people
Stratocracy Government by military class 
Anarchy Absence of Government

One Word Substitution Related to Likes and Dislikes:

One Word Substitution Related to Likes and Dislikes
Sycophant One who is a boot licker, flatterer
Gourmet One who has keen interest in food and drinks
Philanthropy Love for mankind
Bibliophile Someone who loves collecting books
Anglophile One who loves and admires the British
Philanderer One who loves without seriousness
Philogyny Fondness towards women
Androphile One who loves men
Philosopher One who loves wisdom (hence pursues it)
Misandrist One who hates men
Andromania Madness or obsession with males
Misogynist One who hates women
Misanthropist One who hates mankind
Patriot One who loves his country
Super patriotism Excessive love for one’s country
Misogamist One who hates marriage
Loquacious One who loves to speak
Antipathy Strong, deep dislike
Sympathy Simultaneously affected by similar feelings
Empathy Mentally identifying oneself with other person or a thing
Pathetic Something or someone makes you feel deep sadness or pity

One Word Substitution Related to Religion:

One Word Substitution Related to Religion
Atheist One who doesn’t believe in the presence of God
Monotheist One who believes in the theory of only one God
Theist One who believes in the presence of God
Polytheist One who believes in many Gods
Pantheist One who believes that God is union of all forces of the universe
Theomania Religious madness
Theomachy Battle among the Gods

One Word Substitution Related to Marriage:

One Word Substitution Related to Marriage
Matrimony Related to marriage
Sologamy Marriage with self
Monogamy Practising only one marriage (having only one wife)
Bigamy Practising two marriages (having two wives)
Polygamy The practice of several marriages (having many wives)
Autogamy Self-fertilization especially in plants
Endogamy Marriage within one’s tribe
Exogamy Marriage outside one’s tribe
Polyandry Having several husbands

One Word Substitution Related to Speech & Written Work:

One Word Substitution Related to Speech & Written Work
Omnibus Book containing all the published work of an author
Telegraph A written message from far off place
Colloquial Informal, less grammatically rigid language
Circumlocution Talking around, a method of talking indirectly
Magniloquent Generous, forgiving talk
Eloquent Expressive in the use of words
Grandiloquent High sounding pompous speech or writing
Autograph A signature of a celebrity (signature of oneself)
Preamble Walk before-hand or an introductory statement
Biography Writing of one’s life story
Autobiography Writing of one’s own life story
Photograph Written by light
Laconic Few words packed with meaning, concise
Soliloquy A speech to oneself, alone

 

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