ASVAB Word Knowledge – Part 3 (Final)
41. Heinous most nearly means
42. Negate most nearly means
43. Mediate most nearly means
44. Incumbent most nearly means
45. Colossal most nearly means
46. Raucous most nearly means
47. Melodious most nearly means
48. Legitimate most nearly means
49. Apathetic most nearly means
50. Camaraderie most nearly means
51. Which is opposite in meaning to egregious?
52. Which is opposite in meaning to bellicose?
53. Which is opposite in meaning to deference?
54. Which is opposite in meaning to magnanimous?
55. Which is opposite in meaning to temerity?
56. His record provides no reason for apprehension. Which word best matches apprehension?
57. The teenager abandoned his job because he found it to be onerous. Which option matches onerous?
58. She did not condone his insubordination. Which option matches condone?
59. The witness gave a succinct statement. Which option matches succinct?
60. The magnanimous leader forgave his rivals. Which option matches magnanimous?
61. The scientist’s theory was speculative. Which option matches speculative?
62. The arduous climb exhausted the hikers. Which option matches arduous?
63. The general’s tacit approval was understood by the troops. Tacit most nearly means
Tricks, Quick Revision, and Key Points
Quick elimination strategy
Remove any choices that are clearly unrelated to the context. If two options are opposites, the right word usually fits the sentence context. This saves time on test day.
Root and affix cues
Many words share roots that hint meaning:
• bio means life, chrono means time, geo means earth.
• in-, im- often mean not or into depending on context.
• -ous often makes an adjective that describes a quality, like onerous or arduous.
Synonym clusters to remember
• Fake: spurious, contrived, bogus
• Harsh: inclement, bleak, raucous
• Short-lived: ephemeral, fleeting
• Generous: magnanimous, open-handed
Antonym practice
If a question asks for the opposite of a negative word like egregious (very bad), expect a positive choice like marvelous. Think positive vs negative first.
Context clues in sentences
Look for signal words: because, although, but. They show whether the blank needs a cause or contrast. Example: The job was onerous, so he quit. Onerous must mean difficult or burdensome.
Quick memory hooks
• Kinetic relates to movement — think kinetic energy.
• Succinct is short — think “suc-cinct, cut short.”
• Debauchery suggests overindulgence — link to “de-” and “bounty.”
• Tacit is silent approval — tacit sounds like “taciturn” which hints quiet.
Common test traps
• Beware near-synonyms that are close but not precise. For example, onerous means burdensome, not merely complicated.
• Watch for words that look similar but differ in meaning, like plausible vs plausible sounding but false.
Study routine tips for word knowledge
• Group words by theme (emotion, size, time, morality) and practice with short sentences.
• Make flashcards with one example sentence on one side and the word with definition on the other.
• Practice eliminating wrong answers quickly, then confirm the best fit.