Vocabulary Booster: 20 Must-Know Words for IBPS PO Exam

A strong vocabulary is a key asset when preparing for the IBPS PO exam, especially in the English Language section, where precision, clarity, and comprehension are tested. Whether it’s reading comprehension, cloze tests, or sentence improvement questions, having a solid command of frequently used words can greatly improve your score. This vocabulary booster is designed to introduce you to must-know words that often appear in bank exams, helping you build confidence and speed. Make these words a regular part of your practice to enhance your verbal skills and boost your overall exam performance.

Why Vocabulary Matters in IBPS PO Exam?

In the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains exams, vocabulary based questions often appear in reading comprehension and cloze tests. If you’re not familiar with the meanings of key words, it can slow you down or lead to mistakes. A strong vocabulary improves your reading speed and comprehension accuracy, which is essential in a timed exam.

20 Must-Know Words for IBPS PO Exam

Vocabulary is not just about memorizing words. It’s about understanding their usage in context. Regular reading, writing practice, and daily revision can turn even complex words into part of your active vocabulary. With these 20 powerful words and a strong learning method, you’ll be better prepared for the English section of the IBPS PO exam.

1. Affliction: something that makes you suffer

Synonyms: distress, sorrow, sadness

2. Callous: not caring about the feelings or suffering of other people

Synonyms: hard, indifferent, cold-blooded

3. Dastardly: wicked and cruel

Synonyms: cowardly, invaliant, afraid, fearful

4. Decorum: polite behaviour that is appropriate in a social situation

Synonyms: decency, propriety, gravity

5. Embezzle: to steal money that you are responsible for or that belongs to your employer

Synonyms: steal, peculate, cheat

6. Flounder: to have a lot of problems and be in danger of failing completely

Synonym: stumble, falter, wallow, struggle

7. Hedge: a row of bushes or trees

Synonym: fence, hem

8. Iniquitous: very unfair and morally wrong

Synonyms: unjust, wrong, unfair

9. Juxtaposition: the act of placing two or more things side by side, often for the purpose of comparison or contrast

Synonym: closeness, nearness

10. Latent: existing, but not yet very noticeable, active or well developed

Synonym: hidden, concealed

11. Precarious: not safe or certain

Synonym: critical, dangerous

12. Profligate: wasting money, time, etc. or using it in a careless way

Synonym: immoral, wanton, reckless, dissolute, licentious

13. Quixotic: extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.

Synonym: (foolishly) chivalrous, unrealistic, whimsical

14. Ramshackle: badly or untidily made and likely to break or fall down easily

Synonym: dilapidated, tumbledown, rickety

15. Repudiate: to say that you refuse to accept or believe something

Synonym: disavow, disclaim

16. Sardonic: showing that you think you are better than other people and not taking others seriously

Synonym: ironical, scornful, derisive

17. Schism: strong disagreement among members of an organization or group that makes them divide into separate groups

Synonym: disjunction, split

18. Intrepid: without any fear of danger

Synonym: brave, fearless

19. Inculcate: to make somebody learn or remember ideas, habits, etc. especially by repeating them often

Synonym: instil, enforce, pass on, generate

20. Excerpt: a short piece taken from a book, film, piece of music, etc.

Synonym: extract, quotations

How to Learn and Retain Vocabulary?

To improve your vocabulary, make it a habit to read daily. Newspapers and editorials are great sources of new words. Focus on unfamiliar terms and note them down. Maintain a word bank in a notebook or digital format where you can write meanings and examples. Practice using these new words in your own sentences to better understand and remember them. Lastly, revise your word list every few days to keep the vocabulary fresh in your mind.