What is Synonyms?
Synonym questions give you a word and ask you to choose the option that means the same (or closest to the same) thing. Building a strong vocabulary is the best preparation for these questions.
These questions test your knowledge of word meanings and your ability to distinguish between similar words. They are one of the most common verbal reasoning question types in the 11+ exam.
Step-by-Step Method
Read the target word carefully
Make sure you understand what the word means. Think of a simple definition in your own words.
Think of your own synonyms first
Before looking at the options, think of words that mean the same thing. This stops you being influenced by wrong answers.
Check each option
Go through every option and ask: does this mean the same as the target word? Eliminate ones that clearly do not.
Pick the closest match
If more than one option seems right, choose the one that is closest in meaning. Some options might be related but not synonyms.
Worked Examples
Which word is closest in meaning to RAPID? (a) slow (b) quick (c) heavy (d) bright
Working
- RAPID means fast or quick.
- (a) slow – opposite meaning, eliminate
- (b) quick – means fast, matches
- (c) heavy – unrelated, eliminate
- (d) bright – unrelated, eliminate
Which word is closest in meaning to CONCEAL? (a) reveal (b) steal (c) hide (d) find
Working
- CONCEAL means to hide something.
- (a) reveal – opposite meaning
- (b) steal – related to secrecy but different meaning
- (c) hide – matches perfectly
- (d) find – opposite idea
Common Mistakes
Choosing a word that is related to the target but does not mean the same thing (e.g. choosing “book” as a synonym for “read”).
A synonym must mean the same thing, not just be connected to it. Test by swapping the words in a sentence.
Being tricked by words that sound similar but have different meanings (e.g. “affect” and “effect”).
Focus on meaning, not sound. Say each word in a sentence to check if it could replace the target word.
Top Tips
- Read widely – the more words you encounter, the more synonyms you will know.
- Keep a vocabulary notebook and write down new words with their synonyms.
- If you do not know a word, try to work out its meaning from the word parts (prefix, root, suffix).
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers first to improve your chances.
Ready to practise?
Put these techniques into action with our free practice papers.
Practise Verbal Reasoning Questions