18 Word Knowledge (WK) Practice Questions & Answers
Every Word Knowledge (WK) practice question from the ASVAB Practice Test, with the correct answer and a short explanation.
Start practice test →1. The word "abate" most nearly means:
- A.intensify
- B.diminish✓ Answer
- C.delay
- D.confuse
To 'abate' means to lessen in force or intensity; a storm or pain abates when it grows weaker, which is why 'diminish' is the closest synonym.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'abate'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
2. The word "candid" most nearly means:
- A.hostile
- B.secretive
- C.cautious
- D.frank✓ Answer
'Candid' describes open and honest expression without concealment, so 'frank' matches it; 'secretive' is its opposite.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'candid'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
3. The word "meager" most nearly means:
- A.scanty✓ Answer
- B.heavy
- C.wealthy
- D.abundant
'Meager' means deficient in quantity or quality—thin and lacking—so 'scanty' is the closest synonym, while 'abundant' is the antonym.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'meager'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
4. "Novice" is best defined as:
- A.an expert
- B.a teacher
- C.a beginner✓ Answer
- D.a leader
A 'novice' is a person new to and inexperienced in an activity, which is precisely a 'beginner'; an expert is the opposite.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'novice'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
5. The word "vigilant" most nearly means:
- A.careless
- B.tired
- C.cheerful
- D.watchful✓ Answer
'Vigilant' means alertly watchful to avoid danger, so 'watchful' is the closest synonym; 'careless' is the opposite quality.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'vigilant'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
6. The word "terminate" most nearly means:
- A.repair
- B.begin
- C.continue
- D.end✓ Answer
'Terminate' means to bring to an end or stop, so 'end' is the direct synonym; 'begin' and 'continue' are contrary in meaning.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'terminate'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
7. The word "frugal" most nearly means:
- A.wealthy
- B.wasteful
- C.generous
- D.thrifty✓ Answer
'Frugal' means careful and sparing with money or resources, which is exactly 'thrifty'; 'wasteful' is its antonym.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'frugal'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
8. The word "concise" most nearly means:
- A.lengthy
- B.brief✓ Answer
- C.detailed
- D.unclear
'Concise' means expressing much in few words, so 'brief' is the closest synonym; 'lengthy' is the opposite.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'concise'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
9. "Adversary" is best defined as:
- A.a friend
- B.an opponent✓ Answer
- C.a partner
- D.an ally
An 'adversary' is one who contends with or opposes another—an enemy or 'opponent'; an ally is on the same side.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'adversary'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
10. The word "diligent" most nearly means:
- A.clumsy
- B.lazy
- C.hardworking✓ Answer
- D.careless
'Diligent' means showing steady, careful effort in work, so 'hardworking' is the closest synonym; 'lazy' is its antonym.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'diligent'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
11. The word "obscure" most nearly means:
- A.unclear✓ Answer
- B.obvious
- C.bright
- D.famous
'Obscure' means not clearly expressed or hard to understand, so 'unclear' is the closest synonym; 'obvious' is the opposite.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'obscure'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
12. The word "rigid" most nearly means:
- A.flexible
- B.soft
- C.stiff✓ Answer
- D.smooth
'Rigid' means not bending and firmly fixed, so 'stiff' is the closest synonym; 'flexible' is the antonym.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'rigid'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
13. The word "placid" most nearly means:
- A.calm✓ Answer
- B.noisy
- C.angry
- D.stormy
'Placid' means serenely free of disturbance, so 'calm' is the closest synonym; 'stormy' describes the opposite condition.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'placid'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
14. The word "deter" most nearly means:
- A.permit
- B.encourage
- C.discourage✓ Answer
- D.assist
'Deter' means to discourage or prevent someone from acting, usually through fear or doubt, so 'discourage' fits; 'encourage' is its opposite.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'deter'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
15. The word "ample" most nearly means:
- A.plentiful✓ Answer
- B.scarce
- C.empty
- D.tiny
'Ample' means more than enough in size or amount, so 'plentiful' is the closest synonym; 'scarce' is the antonym.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'ample'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
16. The word "conceal" most nearly means:
- A.hide✓ Answer
- B.reveal
- C.display
- D.announce
'Conceal' means to keep from sight or knowledge, so 'hide' is the direct synonym; 'reveal' is its opposite.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'conceal'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
17. The word "tedious" most nearly means:
- A.brief
- B.easy
- C.boring✓ Answer
- D.exciting
'Tedious' means tiresome because of length or dullness, so 'boring' is the closest synonym; 'exciting' is the opposite.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'tedious'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
18. The word "prudent" most nearly means:
- A.cautious✓ Answer
- B.hasty
- C.reckless
- D.foolish
'Prudent' means showing good judgment and care about consequences, so 'cautious' is the closest synonym; 'reckless' is its antonym.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'prudent'; ASVAB Word Knowledge content domain (officialasvab.com)Report a problem with this question
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