Synonyms
Advanced vocabulary — selecting the closest synonym
Explanation
Higher-Level Vocabulary
Middle Level synonyms are drawn from 7th–8th grade vocabulary. Words may be multi-syllabic or academic.
Example:
LACONIC
(A) wordy (B) brief (C) logical (D) cheerful
→ Laconic means using very few words → (B) brief
Even when you don't know a word, use word structure (roots, prefixes, suffixes) to make a reasonable guess.
Roots & Etymology
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| luc/lum | light | lucid, illuminate, translucent |
| voc/vok | call/voice | advocate, evoke, vocal |
| greg | group/flock | gregarious, segregate, congregate |
| cred | believe | credible, incredulous, credential |
| path | feeling/disease | empathy, pathology, apathy |
| mort | death | mortal, immortal, mortify |
Tips
- Connotation matters: some synonyms have slightly different tones (e.g., thrifty vs stingy — both mean careful with money, but stingy is negative).
- Use word charge (positive/negative/neutral) to eliminate wrong options.
- Read widely from non-fiction and literary fiction to build vocabulary organically.
Practice Questions
Test your knowledge of Synonyms with a timed quiz.
Take Quiz →Topics in Verbal Reasoning