Skill 17
Identify Synonyms—Part 1

Synonyms are critically important if you want to score high on the ASVAB. The Word Knowledge test is made up entirely of questions that require you to know the meaning of various words. Each question asks you to find the synonym for a given word.

What exactly is a synonym? A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. So for example, think about the word create. What word means the same or almost the same as create? Some synonyms for create could be make, produce, formulate, build, or construct. Each of these words is a synonym for the word create.

So how do you learn synonyms? You learn them by reading and by using the dictionary to look up the meaning of words that you don’t know. You learn synonyms by listening to people talk and hearing them use different words to communicate the same or similar ideas. You learn synonyms by creating word lists and memorizing the meaning of the words. You learn synonyms by using an unfamiliar word correctly in a sentence. You learn synonyms by checking out root words and identifying any prefixes or suffixes that are used.

All the skills covered in the Reading section of this book will help you with the ASVAB, but several skills will help you with the Word Knowledge test in particular. These skills are Use Context Clues (Skill 13), Know Root Words (Skills 14), Recognize Prefixes (Skill 15), and Recognize Suffixes (Skill 16). This skill, Identify Synonyms, will give you more practice in knowing the meaning of words. Because this skill is so important, this section will be much longer than the other skills.

You will find questions on the ASVAB that are like this.

1. The word wisdom most nearly means

Image Wish

Image Understanding

Image Lacking

Image Scenic

The best synonym for the word wisdom is understanding. Other possible synonyms could be insight or knowledge.

2. The word humorous most nearly means

Image Funny

Image Sad

Image Bent

Image Truthful

The best synonym for the word humorous is funny. Other possible synonyms are amusing or comical.

Other questions on the ASVAB will look like this:

3. From reading his application form, it was clear that he was eligible for the position.

Image Accepted

Image Rejected

Image Qualified

Image Perfect

Eligible most nearly means qualified. Other synonyms would be suitable or appropriate.

4. Kurt looked at his little sister in her fanciest dress and was captivated by what he saw.

Image Shocked

Image Displeased

Image Fascinated

Image Happy

The word captivated most nearly means fascinated. Other synonyms could be charmed or enthralled.

Test Yourself!

Find the best synonym for each of the underlined words. Circle the letter of your choice.

Image The Civil War went a long way toward abolishing the practice of slavery.

Image Prohibiting

Image Explaining

Image Promoting

Image Supporting

Image The capability of the least expensive computer was adequate, so she purchased it.

Image Sufficient

Image Inexpensive

Image Unknown

Image Explained

Image Sam’s ailment was not so severe that he needed to be hospitalized right away.

Image Temper

Image Temperature

Image Condition

Image Sickness

Image Jason preferred contemporary furniture over the styles favored by his parents’ generation.

Image Colorful

Image Modern

Image Unique

Image Significant

Image After hours in the car, we were famished when we reached the restaurant.

Image Chilly

Image Disappointed

Image Weary

Image Hungry

Image The desecration of the flag was an act that could not be forgiven.

Image Ruin

Image Folding

Image Hoisting

Image Washing

Image James was happy to achieve his purpose after so many days of trying.

Image Admire

Image Reduce

Image Control

Image Accomplish

Image During the storm, the shutter detached from the window of the beach cottage.

Image Separated

Image Swung

Image Connected

Image Hailed

Image He was earnest in his desire to make the world a better and safer place.

Image Weak

Image Overt

Image Sincere

Image Halting

Image She daydreamed about an exciting escapade on a distant tropical island.

Image Contribution

Image Adventure

Image Sail

Image Walk

Image The word dismiss most nearly means

Image Reject

Image Inspect

Image Supervise

Image Warn

Image The word feasible most nearly means

Image Possible

Image Foolish

Image Movable

Image Happy

Image The word flourish most nearly means

Image Suffer

Image Contain

Image Deteriorate

Image Thrive

Image The word fundamental most nearly means

Image Extreme

Image Cautious

Image Basic

Image Prosperous

Image The word placid most nearly means

Image Calm

Image Intense

Image Destructive

Image Meek

Image The word immune most nearly means

Image Susceptible

Image Resistant

Image Reclusive

Image Worldly

Image The word irresistible most nearly means

Image Frigid

Image Determined

Image Folksy

Image Tempting

Image The word monotonous most nearly means

Image Frivolous

Image Boring

Image Amusing

Image Wise

Image The word paradoxical most nearly means

Image Logical

Image Withdrawn

Image Inconsistent

Image Mechanical

Image The word perforate most nearly means

Image Penetrate

Image Rectify

Image Justify

Image Praise

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