One Word Substitution MCQs with Answers & Explanations

To adjourn a meeting means to put off or suspend it, either temporarily or permanently. Convene means to call a meeting. Terminate means to end it completely. Procrastinate means to delay doing a task.

A venial sin or fault is one that is slight and excusable, in contrast to a 'mortal' (deadly) sin. While 'pardonable' and 'excusable' are similar, 'venial' is the specific term for a minor, forgivable transgression. Mercenary means motivated by money.

An anarchist is a person who believes in or tries to bring about anarchy, which is a state of disorder due to the absence or non-recognition of authority or government. An iconoclast attacks cherished beliefs. A belligerent is hostile. An agnostic doubts the existence of God.

Amiable means having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner; it describes a person who is likeable. Amicable describes relationships or actions (e.g., 'an amicable divorce') rather than a person's nature. Effusive and ebullient mean enthusiastic.

A voluptuary is a person devoted to luxury and sensual pleasure. An epicure is a person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink (less negative). 'Debauch' is a verb meaning to corrupt. A masochist derives pleasure from pain.

An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production, specifically fruit or nuts. A nursery is where young plants are grown. A park is a public area of land. A yard is an area surrounding a house.

Superficial means existing or occurring at or on the surface; it also means appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely, lacking depth. Superfluous means unnecessary. Superstitious relates to unfounded beliefs. Supernatural is beyond natural explanation.

Harlot is an older, derogatory term for a prostitute or a promiscuous woman (a woman with 'lax morals'). Prostitute specifically refers to sex for money. A concubine is a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife. A hostess entertains guests.

A duffer is an informal term for an incompetent or stupid person. A 'dud' is something that fails to work. 'Snotty' means arrogant. 'Nigger' is an extremely offensive racial slur.

A neologism is a newly coined word or expression. 'Coinage' is the act of inventing a new word, but 'neologism' is the word itself. Vocabulary is the body of words used. A malapropism is the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one.

Stoicism is the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint; it implies an indifference to both pleasure and pain. Docility is being easy to control. Patience is the capacity to accept delay. Reticence is being reserved or uncommunicative.

Mediocre means of only average quality; not very good. It describes someone who is in the middle, neither particularly good (intelligent) nor particularly bad (dull). Tolerable means bearable. A commoner is not royalty. Diligent means hardworking.

A peer is a person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person. A colleague is a person with whom one works. A contemporary is a person living at the same time. A chum is a friend.

A deponent is a person who makes a deposition or affidavit under oath, which is written testimony. A witness gives testimony orally in court. An appellant appeals a decision. A litigant is a person involved in a lawsuit.

To rebut an argument or accusation means to claim or prove that it is false, often by presenting opposing arguments. To criticise is to find fault. To rebuff is to reject. To reprimand is to scold.

Pornography is the explicit depiction of sexual activity in literature, art, or film, intended to arouse sexual excitement. Erotica is similar but often implies higher artistic merit. Lewd and licentious are adjectives describing behavior.

A milliner is a person who designs, makes, or sells women's hats. A draper sells cloth. A tinker travels to mend pots and pans. A farrier is a smith who shoes horses.

Punctilious means showing great attention to detail or correct behavior; it implies being careful and exact in performing duties. Punctual means being on time. Sincere means genuine. Pugnacious means quick to argue.

To intercede means to intervene on behalf of another, especially to mediate in a dispute. To interfere means to get involved in an unwanted way. To interact is to communicate. To interrupt is to stop something.

Brittle describes a material that is hard but liable to break easily (e.g., glass). 'Breakable' is general. 'Delicate' means easily damaged, but 'brittle' specifically refers to shattering. 'Ductile' is the opposite, meaning it can be drawn into a wire.