Introduction
A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, brave and courageous are synonyms.
1. How Synonym Questions Are Asked
Pattern
|
What you see
|
What to do
|
| Direct |
“Choose the word most similar in meaning to Candid.” |
Pick the option closest in meaning. |
| In context |
A sentence with the word bold or underlined; pick the closest meaning. |
Read the whole sentence; the context fixes the meaning. |
| Replace the word |
A sentence with an underlined word; pick the best substitute. |
Put each option into the sentence and check that it reads naturally. |
| Odd one out |
Four words; three are synonyms, one is not. |
Find the word that differs in meaning or tone. |
2. Strategies to Solve Synonym Questions
- Use the context. In a sentence, the surrounding words hint at whether the word is positive or negative.
- Check the tone. Frugal is positive (careful with money); stingy is negative. Both mean “spends little”, but they are not equal.
- Break the word apart. Look for prefixes, suffixes and roots (see section 5).
- Eliminate opposites. In every question, one option is usually the antonym. Remove it first.
- Eliminate unrelated options. Remove words that clearly have nothing to do with the word.
- Match the part of speech. A noun’s synonym is a noun; a verb’s synonym is a verb.
- Guess smartly. If you have narrowed it to two options, choose the one you have seen used in a similar way.
3. Synonym Word Bank
3.1 Positive Qualities
Word
|
Synonyms
|
| Adept |
Skilled, proficient, expert |
| Amiable |
Friendly, pleasant, affable |
| Audacious |
Bold, daring, fearless |
| Benevolent |
Kind, generous, charitable |
| Candid |
Frank, honest, open |
| Diligent |
Hardworking, industrious |
| Eloquent |
Fluent, articulate, expressive |
| Eminent |
Famous, distinguished, renowned |
| Frugal |
Thrifty, economical |
| Impartial |
Unbiased, neutral, fair |
| Integrity |
Honesty, uprightness |
| Prudent |
Wise, careful, sensible |
| Sincere |
Genuine, honest, heartfelt |
| Valiant |
Brave, courageous, heroic |
| Courteous |
Polite, respectful |
3.2 Negative Qualities
Word
|
Synonyms
|
| Arrogant |
Proud, haughty, conceited |
| Cunning |
Sly, crafty, clever (in a bad sense) |
| Hostile |
Unfriendly, antagonistic |
| Lethargic |
Sluggish, lazy, inactive |
| Loquacious |
Talkative, garrulous |
| Malicious |
Spiteful, hateful, evil |
| Obstinate |
Stubborn, headstrong |
| Reluctant |
Unwilling, hesitant |
| Timid |
Shy, fearful, nervous |
| Verbose |
Wordy, long-winded |
| Adamant |
Firm, unyielding, stubborn |
| Feeble |
Weak, frail |
3.3 Actions (Verbs)
Word
|
Synonyms
|
| Abandon |
Desert, forsake, leave |
| Abate |
Reduce, lessen, subside |
| Alleviate |
Relieve, ease, lessen |
| Aggravate |
Worsen, intensify |
| Cease |
Stop, end, halt |
| Commence |
Begin, start |
| Conceal |
Hide, cover |
| Condemn |
Criticise, denounce |
| Deceive |
Cheat, mislead |
| Defer |
Postpone, delay |
| Disperse |
Scatter, spread |
| Eradicate |
Eliminate, destroy, uproot |
| Fabricate |
Invent, make up |
| Flourish |
Thrive, prosper |
| Hinder |
Obstruct, impede |
| Mitigate |
Reduce, ease |
| Pacify |
Calm, soothe |
| Persevere |
Persist, continue |
| Lament |
Mourn, grieve |
| Cherish |
Treasure, value |
3.4 Size, Amount and Condition
Word
|
Synonyms
|
| Abundant |
Plentiful, ample, copious |
| Enormous |
Huge, vast, gigantic |
| Immense |
Huge, vast |
| Meagre |
Scanty, small, inadequate |
| Scarce |
Rare, insufficient |
| Fertile |
Productive, fruitful |
| Fragile |
Delicate, brittle |
| Rapid |
Fast, swift, quick |
| Rigid |
Stiff, inflexible |
| Obsolete |
Outdated, old-fashioned |
| Vague |
Unclear, indistinct |
| Vivid |
Bright, lively, clear |
| Authentic |
Genuine, real, original |
3.5 Situations and Feelings
Word
|
Synonyms
|
| Adversity |
Hardship, misfortune, difficulty |
| Ambiguous |
Unclear, vague, doubtful |
| Chaos |
Disorder, confusion, mayhem |
| Crucial |
Vital, critical, essential |
| Dubious |
Doubtful, uncertain |
| Futile |
Useless, pointless, vain |
| Gloomy |
Dark, dismal, sad |
| Inevitable |
Unavoidable, certain |
| Jubilant |
Joyful, delighted |
| Perilous |
Dangerous, risky |
| Serene |
Calm, peaceful |
| Tranquil |
Calm, quiet |
| Tedious |
Boring, dull, tiresome |
| Wrath |
Anger, fury |
| Zeal |
Enthusiasm, passion |
| Quarrel |
Dispute, argument |
4. Near-Synonyms: Same Meaning, Different Shade
Many words look alike in meaning but differ in tone. Exam options often use this trap.
Word pair
|
Difference
|
| Thrifty vs Stingy |
Thrifty is positive (saves wisely); stingy is negative (refuses to spend). |
| Brave vs Reckless |
Brave faces danger with courage; reckless ignores danger carelessly. |
| Famous vs Notorious |
Famous is well known for good reasons; notorious is known for bad ones. |
| Childlike vs Childish |
Childlike is innocent (positive); childish is immature (negative). |
| Confident vs Arrogant |
Confident believes in one’s ability; arrogant is overly proud. |
| Steal vs Rob |
Steal is taking secretly; rob is taking by force or threat. |
| Firm vs Stubborn |
Firm is steady in a good cause; stubborn refuses to change even when wrong. |
| Curious vs Nosy |
Curious wants to learn; nosy meddles in others’ affairs. |
5. Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes That Unlock Meaning
Root / Prefix
|
Meaning
|
Examples
|
| bene- |
Good, well |
Benevolent (kind), benefit |
| mal- |
Bad, evil |
Malicious (spiteful), malfunction |
| loqu- / loc- |
Speak |
Loquacious (talkative), eloquent |
| dict- |
Say |
Verdict, dictate |
| bio- |
Life |
Biology, biography |
| omni- |
All |
Omnipresent, omnipotent |
| un-, in-, im-, dis- |
Not, opposite |
Unable, impartial, disperse |
| pre- |
Before |
Prevent, predict |
| -less |
Without |
Fearless, useless |
| -ful |
Full of |
Peaceful, joyful |
