One Word Substitution MCQs with Answers & Explanations

Dromomania is an obsessive urge to wander or travel. 'Pyromania' is an obsession with fire. 'Biblomania' is an obsession with books. 'Logomania' is an obsession with talking.

While 'Resident' is a person who lives in a place, 'Domicile' is the legal concept of a person's permanent home. In one-word substitutions, 'Domicile' is often used for this specific definition. 'Native' means born there. 'Subject' means a citizen.

A Reprisal is an act of retaliation or 'paying back' an injury, especially in a military or political context. A 'Vendetta' is a longer-term blood feud. 'Repression' and 'Subjugation' mean to subdue or control.

Sensitive means quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences (external impressions). 'Impressionable' means easily influenced. 'Credulous' means gullible. 'Ingenious' means clever.

To Swat is to hit something, typically an insect, with a flat object. 'Hew' and 'Chop' involve cutting. 'Gnaw' involves biting.

An Audience is a group of people who are specifically gathered to hear (or watch) something. A 'Crowd' is general. A 'Congregation' is for worship. An 'Assemblage' is a general gathering.

A Colleague is a person who works with you in an office or institution. A 'Companion' is a friend. An 'Ally' cooperates. An 'Accomplice' is a partner in crime.

Inexorable means impossible to persuade; unrelenting. 'Infallible' means never wrong. 'Impregnable' means unconquerable. 'Inexplicable' means unexplainable.

Altruism is the principle of acting with unselfish regard for others. 'Philanthropy' is similar but emphasizes action (like donating money). 'Cynicism' is the opposite. 'Nepotism' is favoritism to family.

An Aesthete is a person who has a special appreciation for beauty, especially in art and nature. A 'Connoisseur' is an expert judge, which is different. A 'Critic' judges. An 'Artist' creates.

A Contagious disease is one that spreads by direct physical contact. An 'Infectious' disease is a broader term for diseases that can be transmitted, but not necessarily by direct contact. 'Contiguous' means touching.

A Fable is a traditional story that features animals as characters and teaches a moral lesson. A 'Parable' teaches a moral but typically uses human characters. An 'Anecdote' is a short personal story.

To Transmute is to change in form, nature, or substance. 'Modulate' means to vary the tone or pitch. 'Substitute' means to replace. 'Remodel' means to change the structure.

A Pantheist is a person who believes that God is immanent in and identical with the universe. An 'Agnostic' doubts God's existence. A 'Theist' believes in God. A 'Pantechnicon' is a moving van.

An Aeronaut is a traveler in a balloon, airship, or other aircraft. An 'Astronaut' travels in space. An 'Acrobat' performs gymnastics. 'Aerobat' relates to aerobatics.

Repartee is conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or retorts. 'Sarcasm' is ironic. A 'Platitude' is a dull remark. 'Invective' is abusive language.

Homonyms (or more precisely, homophones) are words that sound the same but have different meanings (e.g., 'to', 'too', 'two'). A 'Synonym' has a similar meaning. An 'Antonym' has an opposite meaning.

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can be essential (like in digestion) or cause disease. (Note: They were historically classified as plants, but are now in their own kingdom). 'Virus' is non-living. 'Amoeba' is a protozoan.

A Coquette is a woman who flirts lightly with men to win their admiration, often without serious intentions. A 'Spinster' is an unmarried woman. 'Prostitute' and 'Concubine' have different, specific meanings.

A Cosmopolitan is a person who feels at home in any part of the world and is free from national prejudices. A 'Patriot' and 'Nationalist' are devoted to their own country. 'Metropolitan' relates to a city.