Meaning: Of doubtful authenticity, though widely circulated as true.
Hindi: संदिग्ध/अप्रामाणिक
Synonyms: dubious, unverified, fictitious
Antonyms: authentic, verified
Asked in: SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2025 T-1
apocryphal in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 Spelling
Fill in the blank with the correctly spelt word:
"The historian's theory was considered __________ by mainstream scholars."Answer & explanation
Answer: D) apocryphal
Correct Answer: Option 4 — "apocryphal"
Correct spelling: A-P-O-C-R-Y-P-H-A-L ✓
"Apocryphal" = (of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated; not considered genuine; relating to writings of questionable authority or authenticity.
Full sentence: 'The historian's theory was considered APOCRYPHAL by mainstream scholars.' ✓
= The theory was considered unverified, dubious, or not genuinely authoritative.
Etymology: from Greek ' apokryphos ' = hidden, obscure (from 'apo-' = away + ' kryptein ' = to hide). ✓
Why other options are wrong:
Option 1 ' apocriphyll ' — misspelled: 'y' changed to ' i ' AND extra 'l' added. ✗
Option 2 ' apocryfull ' — misspelled: ' ph ' cha - SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Antonyms
Select the most appropriate antonym of the word: Apocryphal
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Authentic
Meaning: apocryphal = of doubtful authenticity, widely repeated but probably untrue *(संदिग्ध प्रामाणिकता वाला, अप्रामाणिक)*.
Greek apo- (away) + kryptein (to hide), the root of *crypt*, *cryptic* and *encrypt* — the word first described books hidden away from, that is excluded from, the accepted canon.
The quality to reverse is genuineness, so the antonym must sit on the verified side.
authentic = genuine, verified, of undisputed origin *(प्रामाणिक, असली)*, from Greek *authentikos*.
An apocryphal story against an authentic story — that is the clean opposition.
Why the others are wrong.
• false = not true, incorrect *(असत्य, ग़लत)* — the same side of the scale as *apocryphal*, near a synonym
Examples
- “The story about the founder is likely apocryphal.”
apocryphal – questions
What is the meaning of apocryphal in Hindi?
apocryphal means “संदिग्ध/अप्रामाणिक” in Hindi. In English: Of doubtful authenticity, though widely circulated as true.
What are the synonyms of apocryphal?
Synonyms of apocryphal: dubious, unverified, fictitious.
What is the opposite of apocryphal?
Antonyms of apocryphal: authentic, verified.
Has apocryphal been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – apocryphal has been asked 2 times in SSC exams: SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC CHSL 2025 T-1.