Can You Pass This Vocabulary Drill In 5 Minutes Without a Single Mistake?

EDUCATION

By: Heather Cahill

6 Min Quiz

Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Words are an essential aspect of our world. We read them, write them and say them, but how well do we really know them? There are so many words to know, remember and use that it can get difficult when it comes to less common terms. Sure, you know words like "essential," "majestic," and "pentagon," but do you know what "ostracize" means? You might just learn a word you've never heard before on this quiz!

Do you know the definition of "accretion"? Do you know what it means to be under "duress"? What about the meaning of "fortuitous"? Do you know what "bilk" is? Crack open the dictionary and study up on your definitions, you'll need them for this quiz!

Would you know a zephyr if you experienced it? Have you used any tomes throughout your lifetime? Do you know another name for the word "pellucid"? If that's too easy, can you identify a "linchpin"? You'll need to know your synonyms and study up on things that you may have never know had a name!

Maybe you've heard them, maybe you've read them, or maybe they are totally foreign to you. Word Wizards, put your vocabulary to a true test with this quiz!

Which word is also a synonym for "give up"?

The synonym for "give up" is "cede." When used in a sentence, you could say: "She decided to cede her responsibility on this project in favour of another."

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What is the meaning of "pugnacious"?

The meaning of "pugnacious" is "to argue or retaliate." An example of the word used in a sentence is: "She was a very pugnacious person."

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Which word means "to do something"?

You might be familiar with the word "undertake" when thinking of an undertaker, but it can also be used to say this. Here it is being used in a sentence: "I would love to undertake this project."

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Which word can be used when describing something of the highest point?

The word "apex" is the correct choice. When used in a sentence, you could say: "The mountain with the highest apex on Earth is Mount Everest."

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Which word means "intent"?

The word "disposition" can be used to mean this. It also takes on many other meanings, including defining someone's character and the position of something.

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Which of the following words would be a synonym for "render"?

The correct synonym for the word would be made. Used in a sentence, you could say, "The traffic rendered him late." This would mean that traffic was the reason for his lateness.

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Which of the following is the meaning of the word "linchpin"?

"Linchpin" is not only a part of a vehicle, but it is also a word used to say that something is important. An example of it used in a sentence is: "The ability to text is a linchpin of owning a mobile phone."

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Which word can be used to describe something getting smaller or lesser?

The word "abate" can be used for something getting smaller. For example, you could say: "Suddenly, the sound started to abate and we could hear again."

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What is a synonym for "convivial"?

"Enjoyable" is a synonym for "convivial." Here is an example of the word used in a sentence: "The party was very convivial, and I would be happy to go to another."

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Which word can be used for the elderly?

"Geriatric" can be used to describe the elderly. It is typically used in a hospital or any healthcare setting. When used in a sentence, you could say: "I am going to visit my grandparents in the geriatric hospital."

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Which word is a synonym for "strengthen"?

"Bolster" is a synonym for "strengthen." It can also take on other meanings. For example, a bolster is also the name used for a pillow that also "supports" you.

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Which word is a synonym for "timid"?

"Demure" is a synonym for "timid." The word was commonly used in the late 19th century. As "demure as a mouse" just doesn't have the same ring to it!

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What word could you use to communicate how gross something is?

"Squalid" would be the word to use in this case. Here is an example of the word used in a sentence: "The shed was so squalid, they couldn't go inside."

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Which of the following would be an appropriate meaning for the word "accretion"?

The word "accretion" is used to say something is growing or being added to. When used in a sentence, you could say: "The accretion of the mosquito population was unstoppable."

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What is a synonym for the word "roil"?

"Rile" is a synonym for "roil." The words are used to describe somebody who is angry or irritated. In a sentence, you could say: "I'm riled right now."

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Which word means "appropriate"?

"Apt" means appropriate. When used in a sentence, you could say: "I felt the book gave an apt description of the people who actually lived."

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Which word means "to show"?

The word "manifest" takes on this meaning. It can also have a more cryptic meaning when used in instances speaking of the paranormal where it means that something has "appeared."

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Which word means to discuss?

"Confer" was most commonly used in the 19th century. Used in a sentence you could say, "She conferred with her father over what she should do next."

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Which of the following words would be used to communicate that there is speculation?

"Theory" refers to something that is unknown, but an idea of how it came to be has been proposed.

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Which word means to "give up"?

The word "yield" takes on many meanings with one of them being to give something up. The word can also be used to say that there is something to give, like "The art gallery yields many images to study."

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What is the meaning of the word "fortuitous"?

The meaning of the word "fortuitous" is "by chance" or "by luck." Here is an example of the word used in a sentence: "We met under fortuitous circumstances."

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If you wanted to say that something has become worse, which of these words would you use?

"Exacerbate" is the word used in place of this. When used in a sentence, you could say: "Her condition has exacerbated and has not shown any signs of improvement."

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If someone is under "duress" what does it mean?

To be "under duress" means that you are under threat or have been threatened. The term is commonly used in legal settings, although it can also be used outside of the court.

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What is a "zephyr"?

A "zephyr" is a breeze, specifically a soft breeze. When used in a sentence, you could say: "The calming zephyr blew through the forest on the foggy night."

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Is it true or false that "mediocre" means excellent?

This is false. "Mediocre" means that something is OK or alright, butnot outstanding. An example of the word used in a sentence is: "Tommy's play was mediocre today."

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Which of the following words is a synonym for "pellucid"?

"Transparent" is a synonym for "pellucid." The word has decreased in popularity since the 1700s when it was very commonly used. In a sentence, you could say: "The water that flows through the rivers is pellucid."

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Which term can be used to mean "attack?"

The term "harry" is more than just a name. It is used to mean "attack." In a sentence, the word can be used like this: "They harried the man and wouldn't stop."

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What is a "tome"?

A "tome" is a word for a book. It would be more commonly used for academic works rather than smaller books. When used in a sentence, you could say: "I am writing an essay on this tome."

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Is it true or false that a "crevice" is a cranny?

This is true. A crevice is a small opening that can be called many things, including a cranny. When used in a sentence, you could say: "The bug crawled into a crevice in the pavement."

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The word "alias" means you what?

The word "alias" is used to communicate that someone uses another name. Many celebrities are known by aliases when checking into hotels, restaurants or even hospitals.

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Which word means "excellent or best"?

"Acme" means excellent or best. The word was very popular in the 1900s but is used a lot less nowadays. An example of the word in a sentence is: "Jenny is the acme of the entire show."

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What is the meaning of the word "ostracize"?

"Ostracizing" someone means that you have alienated them from a group of friends or colleagues, even family. This could refer to one person or a large group of people.

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What is the meaning of the word "bilk"?

"Bilk" means to cheat someone. It was a popular term in the 17th century but isn't used as much anymore.

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What is a synonym for the word "presage"?

"Predict" is the correct synonym for "presage." An example of the word in a sentence would be: "We presage that you will get a great score on this quiz!"

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What does the word "fractious" mean?

The word "fractious" means badly behaved. An example of the word in a sentence is: "Timmy is very fractious, which is something he can work on in the future."

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